The Miami Marlins fell just short of the Major League Baseball playoffs in 2025, but the team believes it’s finally building something lasting. In his end-of-season press conference, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix called the year a “proof of concept,” showing that the club’s new culture and player development approach are starting to work.
“This is proof of concept, getting players better. It’s proof of concept of building a winning culture,” Bendix said at loanDepot Park. “I’m sitting here both very disappointed to be talking to you while other teams are still playing, but also really proud and excited about the progress that we’ve built and where we’re going.”
A STEP FORWARD, NOT A FINISH LINE
Under first-year manager Clayton McCullough, the Marlins improved from 62 wins in 2024 to 79 in 2025, competing deep into September before being eliminated during the final week.
Bendix called the progress “tremendous,” noting that the growth went beyond the standings.
“We undeniably made progress,” he said. “You look player by player where they were when we started this season and where they finished. Virtually every single player made tremendous progress and it showed up in different ways.”
McCullough’s debut was viewed as a success inside the organization, with Bendix praising the leadership and collaboration across the new staff.
“He established a positive, winning culture from day one,” Bendix said. “Being a first-year manager is beyond difficult, and I think he handled himself exceptionally well.”
LESSONS FROM A SEPTEMBER THAT MATTERED
For a young team, playing important games late in the season meant a lot. The Marlins stayed in the National League Wild Card race until the final series, providing what Bendix called invaluable experience.
“Playing meaningful games at the end of September is a phenomenal achievement and also a wonderful growth opportunity for our very young team,” he said. “To see the guys rise to the occasion was a really good sign.”
The late push gave players a taste of postseason intensity and showed the front office that the development plan is working.
INVESTING IN THE LONG GAME
While Bendix acknowledged the disappointment of missing October, his focus remains on consistency, something the franchise has struggled to achieve for decades.
“We’re trying to build something that I don’t think the Marlins organization has ever had, which is being competitive every single year for a long period of time,” he said.
That means continuing to invest in player development, from the Dominican Republican academy to the major league clubhouse. Bendix emphasized that player growth “doesn’t stop at the major league level” and credited the team’s facilities for helping players to take care of their bodies.
OFFSEASON PRIORITIES
Looking ahead, Bendix said Miami will explore every option to strengthen the roster. He noted that catching, defense, and overall depth are priorities, but improvement is expected from everyone.
“We’re always going to be looking for ways to improve our team,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter how old you are or where you are in your career, you can always get better.”
The team expects key pitchers to return healthy for spring training, including several recovering from injuries, and plans to individualize offseason programs emphasizing recovery and training.
BUILDING A CULTURE THAT LASTS
More than wins, Bendix believes the culture shift is the real story of 2025. The Marlins are now trying to grow a foundation that lasts. That process, he said, is already visible.
The Marlins’ record still placed them behind the division’s elite, but the tone around the organization is markedly different from a year ago. Bendix made clear that 2025 was only the beginning.
“I think that in 2026, we’re going to have a really competitive, exciting team,” he said.
