Ryan Weathers, the Miami Marlins pitcher, will start the season on the injured list due to a left forearm strain. This injury comes after experiencing discomfort during spring training, with an expected recovery time of four to six weeks. New manager Clayton McCullough has confirmed that Weathers has a mild flexor strain without damage to the ulnar collateral ligament. Last season, Weathers had a 3.63 ERA and was slated to be the No. 2 starter behind Sandy Alcantara, also hindered by recovery from Tommy John surgery. Additionally, fellow starter Edward Cabrera will also miss the beginning of the season due to a blister on his finger, compounding the Marlins' pitching woes.

In the competitive realm of fantasy baseball, identifying 'buy low' players can yield significant benefits. Utilizing SIERA (Skill-Interactive Earned Run Average) helps pinpoint pitchers who deserve better outcomes based on advanced metrics. By filtering out pitchers with below-average strike rates and Stuff+ scores, the focus shifts to those with genuine potential for improvement. This year, standout names like Reid Detmers and Garrett Crochet are emerging as top candidates for positive regression.

Detmers showcases a remarkable swinging strike rate and has made notable adjustments to his fastball and slider, hinting at a breakout season. Other intriguing names include David Festa, who has shown a strong ability to strike out hitters, alongside Brandon Pfaadt, whose hard contact rates raise concerns but still shows potential. The list also features emerging talents like Nick Lodolo and Edward Cabrera, who possess great stuff but face health and command challenges. Diving deep into these metrics offers fantasy managers valuable insight into potential late-round gems.

The Miami Marlins' brief postseason appearance in 2023 has quickly faded into disappointment as the team undergoes a significant overhaul. Following the departure of general manager Kim Ng, the Marlins have seen key players like Jorge Soler and Luis Arráez leave, while their roster has been significantly depleted through trades and free agency.

Despite some promising young talent, the Marlins face a bleak future with minimal financial commitments and a projected payroll that ranks among the lowest in MLB. The franchise's lack of direction raises concerns about their competitiveness, with fears of potentially challenging historical records for poor performance looming over the 2025 season.

Jesús Luzardo of the Miami Marlins is attracting trade interest at the winter meetings, as reported by MLB Network. With Sandy Alcántara returning from surgery, Luzardo's position may be vulnerable. Despite a challenging 2024 season due to injuries, his past performance makes him a valuable trade asset.

Teams looking for controllable pitching options might find Luzardo appealing, especially as he has two years of arbitration left. However, his projected arbitration salary of $8.6 million for 2025 may deter some clubs.

Several Major League Baseball players are poised for salary arbitration, with 29 players eligible after two to three years of service time. Notable names include Boston's Jarren Duran and Kutter Crawford, along with Seattle's George Kirby and Tampa Bay's Shane Baz.

The eligibility cutoff has been adjusted to 2 years and 132 days of service, impacting players like Washington's Michael Rucker and Atlanta's Angel Perdomo. The arbitration process will see proposed salaries exchanged on January 9, with hearings scheduled for late January to mid-February.