Marlins Target Patrick Sandoval Despite 2026 Struggles
· Yahoo Sports
The Miami Marlins are making a bold move to shore up their pitching staff by targeting free agent Patrick Sandoval. The decision to target Patrick Sandoval comes as the team faces a rotation that is currently short on reliable options. Three arms are locked in: Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, and Max Meyer. The final two spots remain a mess filled by swingmen Janson Junk, Ryan Gusto, and Tyler Phillips. Top prospects Thomas White and Robby Snelling are ready to help, but both are still dealing with injuries that kept them off the field this year. Snelling had UCL surgery last May, while White’s season ended in June due to a shoulder issue. Meyer and Pérez also missed time with injuries in 2026. The front office needs a proven arm now, not a wait-and-see approach with kids who are not yet healthy.
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Why the Marlins Are Taking the Risk
Sandoval is 30 and coming off a tough season that saw him post a 5.12 ERA. He pitched in 15 games, including 13 starts, for the Boston Red Sox. His numbers were rough, with a 3.77 FIP and a 4.09 BB/9 rate. Yet, the underlying data tells a different story that Miami likes. A career-high slight increase saw his four-seamer sit at 93.4 mph. Opponents only managed a 34.5% hard-hit rate and averaged 87.5 mph off the bat. League average was nearly 100 points lower than his .382 average on balls in play. This suggests bad luck played a huge role in his high ERA. Fish On First reported that the team is interested in Sandoval as a key addition to the roster.
The Athletic and MLB.com have linked the lefty to additional suitors. One NL executive told MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand, “Lots of teams have wanted him for a while.” The belief is that his raw stuff is still elite. “His fastball plays. Everybody thinks they can fix the rest,” the executive added. This confidence drives the Marlins’ interest. They see a pitcher who can dominate if he just finds better command.
The Pitch Mix Could Change Everything
Sandoval did not pitch his first 2026 game until July 9 after undergoing Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the 2025 season. When he did take the mound, his changeup showed promise with a run value of plus-5. It generated a 39.7% whiff rate and a 29.4% PutAway rate. The rest of his pitches fell below the league average in run value. His four-seam fastball gave up a .589 slugging percentage, while his slider allowed a .300 batting average and .420 slug. However, that slider did produce a 28.0% whiff rate. His slider was putting away hitters effectively, so during his 2022 season, he relied heavily on it. If he joins the Marlins, sweeper usage could increase because the organization is pushing many of its starters to adopt that pitch.
The front office is betting on a return to form based on his past success. From 2021 to 2023, Sandoval notched a 3.53 ERA with a 22.6% strikeout rate. He threw 380 1/3 innings for the Angels during that stretch. While pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 15 appearances (13 starts), Sandoval posted a 5.12 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 9.34 K/9, and 4.09 BB/9. Recovering from Tommy John surgery during the missed 2025 season preceded these numbers.