With 'a lot to be hopeful for,' Marlins see bright future after WC sweep

PHILADELPHIA -- Minutes after their 2023 season ended on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park, the Marlins looked on from the dugout railing as the Phillies celebrated their National League Wild Card Series sweep.

It took 20 years for the Marlins to return to the postseason during a 162-game season. Now that they’ve had a taste, the hope is it won’t be as long until the next time the October lights shine bright.

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Miami left-hander Braxton Garrett tossed just three innings and the Marlins' bats couldn’t solve longtime rival Aaron Nola in a 7-1 loss to Philadelphia in Game 2. It marked the first postseason series loss in a non-shortened season in franchise history.

“Most projections had us at probably less than 10 percent [chance of] making the playoffs,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “I think the culture changed. I believe that there's a new standard in that clubhouse now. Now it's up to them to protect that standard, honestly. I think those guys are now understanding what winning looks like and should look like. It was a really fun year. I grew a lot as a person, as a coach. Met a lot of good people, new people in baseball, and just really fell in love with those guys.”

When Schumaker convinced Miami to make him a first-time manager last November, he did so by laying out a plan to build a winning culture akin to the one in St. Louis, where his baseball roots grew for more than a decade as both a player and coach.

Schumaker saw immediate results, as the 2023 Marlins compiled an 84-78 record -- their first winning campaign in a full season since ‘09 -- to snap the longest active drought in MLB. Predicted by nearly everyone to finish fourth in the NL East, Miami instead saw a 15-win improvement from 2022.

“I just want to congratulate Miami, because they're a really good club, and they did a lot of great things to get into this spot,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson, who stopped Schumaker to praise his job in between their press conferences. “They've got a great future. Skip does a great job. He does it the right way. Kim Ng has done remarkable work over there. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with for a long time. That's a really good club we beat today.”

Outside of World Series titles in 1997 and ‘03, there hasn’t been consistency or continuity in Miami. From 2004-22, the Marlins posted the fourth-worst record in MLB and saw frequent turnover both on the field and in the front office.

Now, the organization’s surprise season must turn into a stepping stone rather than an anomaly. The foundation is there, and it begins with the starting pitching.

Games 1-2 starters Jesús Luzardo and Garrett each had a career year in 2023, and they remain under club control for at least three more seasons. Rookie phenom Eury Pérez reached the big leagues ahead of schedule and put up historic numbers. If right-hander Edward Cabrera can harness his command, he has frontline stuff. More reinforcements could be on the way, unless the Marlins dip into their young pitching depth to acquire a bat for the second straight offseason. Lefty Trevor Rogers (right lat strain) and prospect Max Meyer (Tommy John surgery) should be back in 2024.

Knocking out the Phillies on the road was always going to be an uphill climb for the Marlins, who couldn’t turn to ace Sandy Alcantara (right UCL sprain) or Pérez (left SI joint inflammation) against the reigning NL champions. Though two-time batting champion Luis Arraez (left ankle sprain) returned to the lineup for the first time in more than a week, he was nowhere near 100 percent. Runs continued to be at a premium for Miami, which never led in the series, didn't hit a home run and grounded into three double plays -- after recording the most double plays of any club (159) in a single season since the 2017 Royals.

“I think we have a lot of the right guys in here with the chemistry,” said Jake Burger, who was acquired ahead of the Trade Deadline along with Josh Bell. “I think that's why we came back [in] so many games. I think that's why we won so many one-run games, that chemistry of just trust in each individual in here.

“And I think Kim has done an excellent job through trades and free agents and whatnot, and Skip getting the ingredients almost and cultivating that culture in this clubhouse. Like I said, I felt it from Day 1 [when] I walked into this clubhouse, that this group is special, and now it's up to us to hold ourselves to that standard.”

But there also is uncertainty moving forward, as Ng’s contract is due to expire. Sluggers Bell and Jorge Soler can opt out of their deals. Alcantara might require surgery.

Postgame, Soler and Bell said they have yet to consider their future. Both spoke highly of the Marlins’ family atmosphere and the progress that has been made.

“The offense is going to take care of itself,” Bell said. “I think with our pitching staff and with our bullpen, the guys coming up through the Minors, the guys that are going to be healthy next year, it seems like it's sustainable. Just have to stay healthy. That's the most important thing across any roster, across the league. But I'm really excited to see what this group does in the future. A lot to be hopeful for.”