Spring training site
Jupiter, Fla.
2008 record
84-77, third in NL East (7 games behind Phillies)
New faces
RHP Scott Proctor (free agent, Dodgers); RHP Leon Nunez (trade, Royals); LHP Dan Meyer (free agent, A's); RHP Jose Ceda (trade, Cubs); IF Emilion Bonifacio (trade, Nationals); LHP Zack Kroenke (Rule 5, Yankees)
Biggest offseason acquisition
The budget-conscious Marlins didn't do much. Proctor and Nunez should help the back end of the Marlins' bullpen, helping make up for the losses of Arthur Rhodes and Kevin Gregg.
Gone but not forgotten
1B Mike Jacobs (trade, to Royals); OF Josh Willingham (trade, to Nationals); LHP Scott Olsen (trade, to Nationals); RHP Kevin Gregg (trade, to Cubs); OF Luis Gonzalez (free agent, not signed); RHP Joe Nelson (free agent, to Rays); LHP Arthur Rhodes (free agent, to Reds); C Matt Treanor (free agent, to Tigers); LHP Mark Hendrickson (free agent, to Orioles); RHP Doug Waechter (free agent, to Royals)
Spring training battles
There's a big hole with the loss of Jacobs, and rookie Gaby Sanchez is battling veteran Jorge Cantu for the first base spot. Cantu, last year's third baseman, could stick there, or the Marlins could go with Dallas McPherson, the one-time hot prospect for the Angels who hit 42 home runs in Triple-A last season. The bullpen needs some sorting. And can top prospect Cameron Maybin handle the leadoff role as a rookie?
Projected lineup
- CF Cameron Maybin
- C John Baker
- SS Hanley Ramirez
- 3B-1B Jorge Cantu
- 2B Dan Uggla
- RF Cody Ross
- LF Jeremy Hermida
- 1B Gaby Sanchez or 3B Dallas McPherson
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Ricky Nolasco
- RHP Josh Johnson
- RHP Chris Volstad
- LHP Andrew Miller
- RHP Anibal Sanchez
Projected bullpen
- RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer)
- RHP Scott Proctor
- RHP Leo Nunez
- LHP Renyel Pinto
- RHP Logan Kensing
- RHP Ryan Tucker
- LHP Taylor Tankersley
Biggest strength
Lots of young talent in the lineup, led by shortstop Ramirez. I like a couple of players in the rotation as well, led by Nolasco. If Sanchez, Volstad and Miller live up to the hype, this could be a very underrated team that could contend.
Glaring weakness
The bullpen has a lot of holes. Lindstrom left the World Baseball Classic with a minor rotator cuff issue, and the rest of the pen is either fits into a "too young" or "journeyman" label.
