MLB’s Worst Team by Performance but Best Team by Dynamics
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Marlins’ Rough Start: Bottom of the NL East
After losing the June 21 game against the Atlanta Braves, the Miami Marlins were 30-45, sitting in last place in the National League East. They trailed the Milwaukee Brewers by 11 games for the final wild card spot in the National League, making their playoff hopes seem nearly impossible.
Midseason Turnaround: Climbing the Standings
As of this Thursday, the Marlins’ record has improved to 58-62, moving them to third place in their division. They are now just six games behind the wild card spot with 52 games remaining in the season. While this improvement alone may not be extraordinary, what makes it remarkable is the context of their preseason expectations and payroll limitations.
Defying Expectations: A Team That Was Supposed to Be Awful
Unlike teams that traditionally heat up in the summer (such as the Milwaukee Brewers, who went 51-16 after a slow start), the Marlins were projected to be one of the worst teams in baseball this year. They won just 62 games last season, and FanDuel Sportsbook set their over-under win total at a modest 63.5 before 2025.
The Cheapest Team in MLB—But Outperforming Giants
Miami is by far the lowest-spending team in MLB, with a 2025 payroll of just $69 million—the only club under $70 million. To put that into perspective:
- The Marlins’ payroll is one-fifth to one-sixth of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spending.
- It’s only $10 million more than what the Golden State Warriors will pay Stephen Curry alone in the 2025 NBA season.
Beating the Big Spenders: A David vs. Goliath Story
Despite their minuscule budget, the Marlins have outperformed many of MLB’s biggest spenders during their midseason surge. From June 22 through Wednesday, Miami went 28-17—a better record than the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and Phillies, the four highest-payroll teams in the league.
