The Marlins and the breakout righty Kyle Stowers discussed a long-term contract earlier this winter, and while no deal has come together, the 28-year-old told Marlins hitters in camp yesterday that he remains open to a deal (video link posted by MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola). Stowers has dismissed reports suggesting he is worth nine figures, saying flatly, “I did not ask for $100MM” and adding that he was not given a formal offer from the team.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Stowers said. “I’m very happy to be in this organization. I’m sad that we didn’t get something — we’d like some day — but at the same time, let’s take care of this year, and we’ll go from there. … I can’t stress enough how much I love this organization, how much I love being in Miami and playing for this team, [with] this group of boys.”
A well-thought-out prospect who came to Miami on the sidelines Connor Norby in submitting the agreement Trevor Rogers to Baltimore, Stowers came up with a career-best .288/.368/.544 batting line (149 wRC+) and 25 home runs in just 457 plate appearances last year. He may have surpassed 30 home runs and maybe even received MVP votes down the stretch that kept him out for six weeks and limited him to 117 games.
Stowers has struggled against lefties, hitting just 1 of 24 batters against southpaws, and is unlikely to maintain a .356 average on balls in play. That, coupled with his 27.4% strikeout rate, could lead to a drop in his average stats. But even if Stowers doesn’t hit at a very high rate, his 10.5% walk rate and solid batted-ball metrics suggest he should be able to post quality on-base percentage and extra-power offerings.
There is no great urgency for Miami to complete the deal at this time. Stowers remains under club control for another four seasons and will play the upcoming 2026 campaign at the age of 28. Any additional seasons to be made through the contract extension will begin with his 32-year campaign. Miami already controls the slugger for most of his remaining major seasons, so it’s understandable if they’re wary of making a long move on a late-blooming slugger — even on the heels of an All-Star campaign. At the same time, Stowers will be eligible for arbitration for the first time next winter. His large power outing should lead to a nice one-year salary in the settlement, which will reduce some of his urgency to take anything he feels is below market value.
Stowers’ path from a well-regarded but somewhat stymied prospect in Baltimore to a starter in Miami is one he plays with. Owen Caissie will hope to follow in 2026. Once the Cubs top prospect, he was acquired as the best prospect this offseason Edward Cabrera trade, spoke with SportsGrid’s Craig Mish (video link) about the emotions of the sale and the excitement of what is clearly a straight-forward playoff time in South Florida.
“I thought I was well blocked,” Caissie said in response to Mish’s question about the opportunity (or lack thereof) with his former team. “…Chicago is pretty stacked. It’s very hard for a guy to break through. There’s a lot of payroll and everything like that. … The Cubs have had a good team the last few years.”
Opportunities are limited for young outfielders in Chicago. Ian Happ again Seiya Suzuki they have been a mainstay on the list for several years. Cody Bellinger he was with the Cubs from 2023-24. Discovery of Kyle Tucker plugged him into an everyday role in 2025 (after Bellinger’s departure), and Pete Crow-Armstrong he has emerged as a key midfielder (and will not often be dropped, due to his brilliant defence).
Caissie has very few obstacles ahead of her with Miami. Stowers will stay in one corner, too Jacob Marsee placed in the middle after a good two-month run to close the 2025 season. Caissie, who slashed .286/.386/.551 with 22 homers in 99 games for Triple-A last year, is a paper favorite in right field but will likely need to perform well in camp to earn a spot rather than be given it to himself.
Elsewhere in the camp, there is at least a little concern about right-handers Janson Junk. The 30-year-old righty had his own breakout season in Miami last season and is fighting for a rotation spot this spring, but he rolled his ankle Tuesday during practice and was in a walking boot yesterday, De Nicola wrote. The team was sending the Junk to take pictures to determine the extent of the damage.
Junk, who described himself as “day-to-day” with an ankle issue, is in his sixth team since 2021 but pitched 110 innings of 4.17 ERA ball in Miami last year. 16 of his 21 games have been starts. He inspired 17.9% of the opposition against a meager 2.9% walk rate. Whether he ends up being named Miami’s fifth starter or goes to the bullpen for a swing role, Junk figures to make the Opening Day roster as long as he stays healthy. He’s out of the minor leagues so he can’t be sent down to Triple-A without clearing waivers, which wouldn’t happen after last year’s strong performance.
