In the offseason, the Miami Marlins were looking to improve on their roster, but they were working from a poor position. First off, the Fish were always reluctant to spend money and increase their payroll, which is par for the course for the team's actions since being acquired by Jeffrey Loria in 2002. Despite the move to the new stadium, the Marlins still consistently boast one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, as they did this season.
The lack of desire to spend made it difficult for them to trade effectively as well. The team paid more in terms of prospects in the offseason in order to acquire money to use on those salaries.