How many more relief pitchers do you think the Marlins still want to obtain?
-- @MrBrandonRivero

Besides upgrading the offense, strengthening the bullpen is the Marlins¡¯ highest offseason priority. As the organization has repeatedly stated, the bullpen simply wasn¡¯t good enough in 2019. Miami¡¯s bullpen ERA was 4.97, which ranked 25th overall, and Marlins relievers were 28th with 4.37 walks per nine innings. On the last day of the Winter Meetings in San Diego, Miami took a step in the direction of addressing the bullpen need by coming to terms with right-hander Yimi García, who was non-tendered by the Dodgers on Dec. 2. Garcia, 29, had a 3.61 ERA in 62 1/3 innings, and he projects to fit in the back end of the bullpen. I could see Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill adding at least one more reliever on a Major League contract, along with several candidates who will be non-roster signees with invitations to Spring Training.

I didn¡¯t think the Marlins would tender Adam Conley while designating Tayron Guerrero for assignment. Do you think they expect Conley to finally find his old form or just regard him as a potential trade piece?
-- @giry_and_joe

Conley certainly had his struggles in 2019, posting a 6.53 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP in 60 2/3 innings. Still, he¡¯s a left-hander with a mid-90s fastball and is affordable in arbitration. Conley has struggled putting things together to enjoy sustainable success. The fact that he is left-handed is certainly a reason the Marlins are giving him so many chances. Building up value as a potential trade piece could also be part of the equation. Guerrero, meanwhile, was designated for assignment on Dec. 2, and a few days later claimed by the White Sox. The walks simply were too high for Guerrero in 2019. He averaged 7.0 BB/9, to go with 8.4 K/9. Obviously, Conley has high walk rates as well, but in the case of Guerrero, the Marlins decided to pursue other options. The message is clear that the Marlins want strike-throwers.

I¡¯m a big Lewis Brinson guy. But if the Marlins intend on paying a proven big leaguer, why not part ways now? His value will only go down if he doesn¡¯t play.
-- @Bstahls

In previous Inbox columns, we¡¯ve discussed Brinson¡¯s status numerous times, and the bottom line remains the same: It¡¯s time for him to step up. In 205 big league games, he has a .183 batting average, including hitting .173 with a .236 on-base percentage in 75 games in 2019. But he¡¯s also still 25 years old, and he has plenty of raw talent. At this stage of their building process, the Marlins are not yet ready to seriously compete for a playoff spot, so they are still evaluating which players fit into what they¡¯re building moving forward. Brinson has one more option, which means he can be sent to the Minor Leagues if he struggles in Spring Training or at any point during the season. So it makes sense for the Marlins to keep him, and give him every opportunity to see if he figures things out.

? Brinson: 'I've got to perform' in 2020

If the Marlins don¡¯t make another move this offseason, is the current roster good enough to win 70-75 games this season in a National League East division in which every other team got better?
-- @real_fish_fan

After going 57-105 in 2019, ownership expects more in '20. As constructed, can the Marlins make about a 20-win improvement in '20? That will largely depend on the progress made by their young players. Brian Anderson has shown he can be a talented regular, and the rotation has some promising starters. To me, the rotation is the key to this entire process. Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith and Pablo López must continue to take big strides forward, and prospects like Monte Harrison, Jes¨²s S¨¢nchez and Lewin D¨ªaz could be position players who make an impact in '20.

? Marlins Top 30 Prospects list

Is it realistic that JJ Bleday could be a September callup in 2020?
-- @edontes15

With Bleday, this will be an interesting season to follow. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has already shown he can perform at Class A Advanced Jupiter, batting .257/.311/.379 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 38 games.

My guess is Bleday, Miami¡¯s first-round Draft pick in 2019, will start off the '20 season at Jupiter again, then advance to Double-A Jacksonville. He probably needs a full season in the Minor Leagues, but you never know. If he shows he¡¯s ready for the big leagues, then I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he can make the leap in September, but that would only be if everything falls right for him. The player usually makes that decision, based on how he¡¯s performing.