The Miami Marlins were one of the worst teams in baseball last season, finishing with a 62-100 record. And there’s a real chance they could end up near the bottom of the standings again this year.
At some point, the Marlins hope to turn things around, but their recent practice squad proposal has only added to the criticism. Recently, Miami announced plans to bring in former college and professional players to join a “practice squad,” proposing this plan for the 2025 season.
The idea faced major backlash from fans, and MLB closely monitored the situation.
MLB Blocks Miami Marlins’ Practice Squad Plan
It’s no surprise that MLB stepped in to shut down the Marlins’ highly criticized idea. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported:
“The Marlins announced last week that they would be hiring former college and professional players to be available to work with — and play against — players on their Single-A Jupiter team for 10 to 15 home games per month from April 1 to Sept. 15. The Marlins were willing to pay $150 per person, or $30 an hour, for the noon-to-5 p.m. job.”
However, The Athletic reported on Tuesday, March 18, that MLB officially rejected the plan, stating, “MLB informed the Marlins they will not be permitted to go ahead with their plan to have random non-professional people audition for a practice squad to play against their Single A team in Jupiter, when needed, for $150 a day.”
Per The Athletic, MLB informed the Marlins they will not be permitted to go ahead with their plan to have random non-professional people audition for a practice squad to play against their Single A team in Jupiter, when needed, for $150 a day.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 18, 2025
Should anyone be shocked that MLB rejected this idea? The decision is yet another embarrassing moment for the Marlins organization.
If Miami wants better players, maybe they should draft smarter or develop their minor league prospects more effectively. This is exactly why the Marlins continue to struggle to make the playoffs year after year.
Some fans are furious with Miami’s ownership group after this latest misstep. One fan called for new ownership, stating, “The Marlins are a joke franchise. The owners have no business owning a baseball team.”
The Marlins are a joke franchise. The owners have no business owning a baseball team.
— Bill G (@sflgent61) March 18, 2025
Another fan thought the whole situation was hilarious, adding, “Barry, at any point in your coverage of the Marlins’ decline, did you think you’d be tweeting something as hilarious as this? Trying my best to continue laughing at this never-ending spectacle. Go Fish?”
Barry, at any point in your coverage of the Marlins' decline, did you think you'd be tweeting something as hilarious as this?
Trying my best to continue laughing at this never-ending spectacle. Go Fish?
— dĘŚgo (@dvgocane) March 18, 2025
One Marlins fan even suggested that MLB should force the owners to sell, saying, “Wish MLB would force cheapskate Sherm to sell the team to an owner committed to winning.”
Wish MLB would force cheapskate Sherm to sell the team to an owner committed to winning. pic.twitter.com/yG5nHUZhkq
— Lawyerman (@castill87251664) March 18, 2025
It’s clear that the Marlins fan base has had enough of this ownership group. Miami continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the idea of a practice squad was questionable from the start. The minor leagues are supposed to be for player development, not for scrimmaging against ex-players.