“Fans not here, but we still love them,” Alcantara told Stephen Strom of the Marlins Radio Network, acknowledging the visibly empty ballpark. Attendance was just 6,605, and the numbers remained similarly low throughout the series.

With the Marlins now sitting at 5-1, outperforming teams like the Boston Red Sox who struggled early, there’s an expectation that fan turnout could improve. Still, it remains uncertain whether attendance will rise during the next home stretch, especially with college baseball also drawing attention at the same time.

When will the Marlins return home?

The Marlins will be back at home on April 6 against the Cincinnati Reds for a four-game series. That stretch could serve as a key indicator of whether attendance rebounds after historically low turnout against the Rockies and White Sox.

Dan Clark shared more context on X: “Just 19,687 fans combined attended the three games between the Marlins and the White Sox. Game 1: 6,515, Game 2: 6,667, Game 3: 6,505. It marks an historic new low in Miami Marlins history.”

When will Alcantara pitch again at home?

Alcantara is expected to take the mound during the Reds series, likely on April 7 in Game 2 based on the current rotation. He would then be in line to pitch again at home during the next series against the Milwaukee Brewers, which begins April 18.

The Marlins do have options on the roster. Connor Norby, Griffin Conine, Liam Hicks, and Graham Pauley are all listed on the team’s updated depth chart on ESPN. While Morel’s “injury” has not been fully confirmed, the manager addressed the situation.

“Clayton McCullough’s postgame presser: Told us Christopher Morel will get imaging tomorrow,” reported Kevin Barral on X (@kevin_barral). At the very least, the team is moving quickly to determine the severity of the left oblique strain the infielder is dealing with.

The ideal short-term replacement for Morel

Among the available options, Norby stepped in at first base during the opener and delivered two hits, starting the season with a .667 average. For now, he appears to be the most logical option to hold down the position.

It’s also worth noting that Morel can serve as a designated hitter. With him unavailable, Owen Caissie took over that role and went 1-for-4 with a .250 average, one RBI, and two strikeouts in his first game of the season.

Fans were eager to see Morel in the matchup against Kyle Freeland, not only because it was Opening Day but also due to his solid numbers against the left-hander, a .250 average with two home runs in eight at-bats. That matchup, however, will have to wait.

On March 21, Slater exercised a release clause in his contract after being informed he would not break camp on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster. The clause granted him immediate free agency, allowing former New York Yankees‘ player to survey the market before ultimately landing with the Marlins.

To clear a spot for Slater on the 40-man roster, Miami placed right-hander Adam Mazur on the 60-day injured list, despite he just had a Tommy John surgery.

While Slater spent the duration of spring training in the Tigers‘ camp, he is expected to be available for the Marlins’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Manager Clayton McCullough now faces a quick turnaround to integrate the veteran into the lineup, as Slater has yet to see game action in a Marlins uniform.

Slater, a proven weapon against lefties

Slater brings a specific, high-value skill set to Miami’s young outfield core. While the Marlins will lean heavily on the development of Jakob Marsee, Owen Caissie, and Griffin Conine, Slater provides a seasoned insurance policy—specifically against southpaws.

The veteran has built a career out of punishing left-handed pitching, boasting a .787 OPS across more than 1,000 career plate appearances in those matchups.

Beyond the bat, his ability to defend all three outfield positions provides McCullough with much-needed late-inning flexibility over the 162-game grind.

Slater’s spring training by the numbers

Despite being odd-man-out in A.J. Hinch’s plans, Slater put up respectable numbers in Grapefruit League play this spring:

• Slash Line: .267/.389/.467
• OPS: .856
• Games Played: 15

While those figures weren’t enough to secure a spot in Detroit, they suggest Slater is seeing the ball well heading into April. Now settled in Miami, the veteran will look to prove that the Tigers’ loss is the Marlins’ gain.

“We’re investing in all aspects of the organization. There’s a lot of things that need to happen to get us to the point where we’re good every year. To the point of veteran leadership, I agree — Pete Fairbanks is here partially for that reason,” Bendix said.

Despite not spending heavily this MLB offseason, Fairbanks is viewed as a key piece for the pitching staff. “I have a relationship with Pete from my time in Tampa Bay. I know what he brings to the table on the mound, and I know what he brings to the table in the bullpen and in the clubhouse. I think he’s going to be really, really good for our clubhouse,” Bendix added.

Bendix also highlighted the importance of young players for Miami

In his response to the Marlins fan, Bendix made it clear that beyond spending on specific needs, the team’s main hope lies in its prospects and young players, and in finding ways to give them consistent playing time.

“I think the key for us is to continue to invest in all different aspects, and part of that is the number of young players that we have. The opportunities we have for them are really important as well. We need to see them play, we need to give them a chance to play, and with Fairbanks, I think he will bring that leadership you mentioned,” Bendix said.

Among the Marlins’ top prospects right now, according to Prospects1500.com, is left-hander Thomas White, who has yet to make his professional debut but is currently working at the Triple-A level. Another notable prospect is left-hander Robby Snelling, along with outfielder Owen Cassie, a position player who recently joined the organization via trade.

That decision came as uncertainty continues to surround Cody Bellinger, whose free-agent situation has lingered deep into the winter and continues to influence the Yankees’ broader roster planning. While the spotlight has remained on offense, New York quietly addressed a more immediate concern on the mound.

On Tuesday, the Yankees completed a trade with the Miami Marlins for Ryan Weathers, sending a four-player prospect package south. The move reflects a front office balancing present necessity with long-term flexibility, even as bigger-name conversations continue to swirl.

Is Ryan Weathers the bridge the Yankees desperately need?

With Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, and Clarke Schmidt all unavailable early in the season due to surgical recoveries, New York needed innings more than upside. Weathers, 26, is expected to help stabilize a rotation that cannot afford to overextend its remaining healthy starters.

He slots behind Max Fried in a group projected to include Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Luis Gil, giving the Yankees a left-handed option capable of absorbing early-season starts while the staff regains full strength.

What did the Yankees give up to get him?

The cost was notable but measured. Miami received Brendan Jones, Dillon Lewis, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matheus, three of whom ranked inside the Yankees’ top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline. It was a clear signal that New York prioritized immediate pitching depth over long-term organizational depth.

Can durability concerns limit his impact?

That question looms large. Weathers owns a career 4.93 ERA across 281 innings and has never made more than 18 starts in a single season. Injuries, including a left flexor strain and a lat issue last year, limited him to just eight starts in 2025.

As New York waits on clarity surrounding Bellinger’s future, this trade underscores a parallel priority: keeping the season afloat early. Whether Weathers proves to be a temporary fix or something more will shape how aggressively the Yankees act next as the offseason clock continues to tick.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, “the one free agent bat that they remain linked to: Alex Bregman.” Bregman is targeted by the Red Sox and Diamondbacks, among a few others. He is one of the most coveted and respected third bases in the MLB.

Apparently, the Cubs are still getting awed by Bregman and hence, they are still pushing or his services. It won’t be easy to land him, but it seems like the Red Sox know what Bregman will reply to their latest offer.

Bregman must make the most of this deal

As a high-profile free agent, Bregman has his market value at an all-time high. It helps the fact that he has an impressive resume, one of the best in all of baseball to be fair. He is also 31 years old, so this could very well be the last huge payday he gets in the MLB, considering he is still in his prime, albeit in the latter parts.

Bregman is arguably a Hall of Famer already. Still, he wants to keep playing for a contender, all while getting massive dollars on top of it. Again, he deserves that. He is a three-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger, a Golden Glove and an MVP runner-up in 2019.

The Red Sox are in a stalemate

The Red Sox are not an MLB contender, but they want to keep the third base. Now, that is a decision that Bergman will consider if the team gets the right offer. Will he stay at Boston, or will he would rather get into a better team?

One team that pushed for Bregman was Toronto. However, the Blue Jays are not in the mix any more for this reason. But still, this is a testament of how excellent teams are looking for his services. After trading with the Marlins for Cabrera, the Cubs could look as a massively positive landing spot for Bregman.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Marlins have secured Pete Fairbanks for next season, a move that paves the way for the Yankees to potentially bring Cabrera into the fold as a significant addition in 2026.

Recent reports have stirred considerable excitement among Yankees fans, suggesting the team’s interest in Cabrera could become reality after the Marlins’ acquisition of Fairbanks, a right-handed pitcher who might be a bargaining chip if the Bronx Bombers strike a deal for Cabrera.

This potential move could appease a restless fanbase, dissatisfied with the Yankees’ offseason maneuvers so far. Fans eagerly anticipate a substantial addition for the 2026 MLB campaign, amid ongoing rumors that Cody Bellinger has already chosen his primary target for the next season.

Cabrera’s stats: A game-changer for the Yankees

The Yankees’ interest in Cabrera is not unfounded. Having previously expressed interest in Sandy Alcantara, the team appears determined to secure Cabrera, whose stats last season were notable despite the Marlins’ lackluster overall performance.

• Wins–Losses: 8–7 (Career high in Wins)
• ERA: 3.53 (Career best for a full season)
• Innings Pitched (IP): 137.2 (Career high)
• Strikeouts (SO): 150 (Led the Marlins; 9.8 K/9)
• WHIP: 1.23
• Starts (GS): 26 (Career high)
• WAR: 2.8

The competitive landscape for Cabrera ahead of 2026

While the Yankees are keenly interested in acquiring Cabrera, they face competition from other franchises, including city rivals the New York Mets, as well as the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

Acquiring Cabrera would require creative negotiation with the Marlins, as he enters his first year of arbitration eligibility and is projected to earn between $3.7 million and $4 million for the 2026 season.

Facing this complex scenario, the Yankees’ organization and its devoted fanbase remain eager for major roster enhancements in 2026, hoping to complement existing stars such as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton with formidable new talent.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are not the only team in contact with the Marlins about a potential deal involving Cabrera, as the New York Mets are also involved in the race to acquire the Miami starter. “It certainly appears that he’s going to get traded,” Rosenthal said of Cabrera on Foul Territory.

Cabrera, 27, remains under team control through the 2028 season and is projected to earn $3.7 million in arbitration this year, according to MLB Trade Rumors. As of Sunday morning, however, no agreement appears imminent between any of the involved clubs.

The Yankees continue holding conversations with multiple teams and agents, reinforcing their intention to add at least one more starting pitcher. They are also maintaining dialogue with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding Freddy Peralta, who is earning $8 million and is entering the final year of his contract before free agency.

Red flags surrounding Cabrera

Several concerns surround Cabrera that extend beyond his ability to pitch in the Bronx. Injury durability remains a primary issue, as he has surpassed 100 innings in a single MLB season only once since debuting in 2021, reaching a career high of 137 and two-thirds innings across 26 starts last year.

Another significant concern is his control. While Cabrera posted his best walk rate in 2025 at 8.3 percent, ranking in the 43rd percentile, his previous seasons featured troubling numbers, with walk rates ranging between 11.3 percent and 15.8 percent.

Finally, home run susceptibility presents another challenge. Cabrera allowed an average of 1.11 home runs per nine innings in 2025, slightly above league average, after surrendering 1.40 per nine innings in 2024. Pitching half his games at loanDepot Park of the Marlins, one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums in MLB, has helped limit damage, making a potential transition to Yankee Stadium a notable risk factor.

According to the Yankees’ transaction page, the team has added right-hander Adam Kloffenstein, previously with the St. Louis Cardinals, and catcher Payton Henry from the Marlins. These signings aim to strengthen their minor league depth with hopes that spring training might unveil talent ready to impact the major league roster.

Kloffenstein’s major league experience is limited; he made his sole MLB appearance with the Cardinals in 2024. This brief stint is a point of intrigue as analysts and fans alike watch for his progress as documented on Baseball Reference.

Conversely, Payton Henry brings slightly more major league experience, having played with the Marlins in 2021 and 2022. In his 20-game tenure, he notched two runs on four hits, though still seeks his first MLB home run.

Analyzing the Yankees’ other minor league acquisitions

Yankees fans are voicing concerns over these modest acquisitions amid uncertainty surrounding star player Cody Bellinger’s future with the team. Reports indicate ongoing discussions with teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, suggesting potential for securing a high-impact player.

Meanwhile, here’s a look at the Yankees’ recent minor league additions:

• Paul DeJong, INF
• Adam Kloffenstein, RHP
• Payton Henry, C
• Zack Short, INF
• Ali Sanchez, C
• Jonathan Ornelas, INF
• Yerry Rodriguez, RHP

With these moves, the Yankees’ fanbase is keenly observing the team’s next steps, anticipating the formation of the main roster for the upcoming season. There’s a shared hope that one of these minor league talents can transcend expectations and make a significant impact in the majors moving forward.

In this case, the news centers on an intriguing player from the NL East who could become a new teammate of Aaron Judge moving forward. Discussions around a potential trade would involve the Miami Marlins.

Who is the player in question? Edward Cabrera. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Bronx Bombers are in talks with the Marlins as the talented Dominican pitcher is one of the top names being targeted to join the Big Apple and bolster the roster.

Cabrera’s numbers with Miami

In the 2025 MLB season, Cabrera enjoyed a standout campaign with the Marlins, establishing himself as a key rotation piece. The right-hander finished the year with an 8-7 record, posting a career-best 3.53 ERA across 26 starts.

The Dominican pitcher was particularly dominant in his ability to miss bats, racking up 150 strikeouts in 137.2 innings pitched while maintaining a solid 1.23 WHIP in a division won by the Phillies last year.

His strong performance has reportedly drawn interest from multiple teams besides the Yankees. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the NY Mets and Chicago Cubs have also shown interest in Cabrera, for whom the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles also inquired earlier.

Yankees and Mets battle for Bellinger

In the meantime, the Yankeers remain involved in an intense pursuit for Cody Bellinger. Recently, Bellinger was warned by NY Yankees All-Star Paul Blackburn on the risk of leaving the Yankees for the Mets, with Blackburn suggesting that the Yankees’ clubhouse atmosphere is significantly more welcoming and cohesive than that of the Mets. As the 2026 season approaches, Bellinger must weigh these cultural differences alongside the financial offers from both New York franchises.

In a move to bolster their corner infield depth, the Twins acquired first baseman Eric Wagaman from the Miami Marlins, sending minor league southpaw Kade Bragg to Miami in return. To accommodate Wagaman on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated infielder Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment.

Eric Wagaman was originally selected by the New York Yankees in the 13th round (392nd overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft. After spending six seasons developing in the Yankees’ minor league system, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft.

Following his MLB debut with the Angels in 2024, Wagaman was designated for assignment and subsequently signed with the Miami Marlins as a free agent in December 2024, where he finally established himself as a major league regular during the 2025 season.

Wagaman’s stats with the Marlins

Last season with the Marlins, Eric Wagaman established himself as a reliable contributor, batting .250 with 9 home runs and 53 RBI across 140 games. While his .674 OPS reflects a modest overall power profile, he was particularly effective against left-handed pitching, posting a much stronger .783 OPS in those matchups.

By joining the Twins, Wagaman provides valuable defensive versatility and a right-handed bat that could serve as an ideal platoon partner for Josh Bell. His ability to handle both corner infield spots and the outfield, combined with a strong finish to the 2025 season where he hit .328 in September, makes him a high-floor depth piece for Minnesota’s roster.

Shelton’s primary goal

For Derek Shelton the goal for the upcoming campaign is clear: to improve on last year’s performance. In 2025, Minnesota finished at the bottom of the American League Central Division with a 70-92 record. Making the playoffs will be its primary target.