Florida Marlins: Spring Training Information

By: Hook, Line Drive & Sinker
Location: Roger Dean Stadium - Jupiter, FL
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 16th
First Game: Feb. 27th
Schedule


Projected Lineup

1. SS Hanley Ramirez
2. 2B Dan Uggla
3. RF Jeremy Hermida
4. LF Josh Willingham
5. 1B Mike Jacobs
6. CF Cody Ross / Alejandro De Aza / Cameron Maybin
7. 3B Jorge Cantu / Jose Castillo / Dallas McPherson
8. C Mike Rabelo / Matt Treanor

Projected Starting Rotation

1. Scott Olsen
2. Andrew Miller
3. Sergio Mitre
4. Mark Hendrickson
5. Rick Vanden Hurk

Projected Bullpen
Middle - Lee Gardner, Logan Kensing
7th Inning - (LH) Renyel Pinto, (RH) Justin Miller
8th Inning - (LH) Taylor Tankersley, (RH) Matt Lindstrom
Closer - Kevin Gregg
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Key Battles

Third

After another gut-wrenching off-season, in which the Marlins traded the faces of their franchise to Detroit for a few hot prospects, The Fish head into spring training with 70 players and a pretty big “to do” list. First order of business? Plug up the gaping hole left at the hot corner in Miguel Cabrera’s absence (no fat jokes, please; the dude is getting in shape). Competing for the wide open spot are Jorge Cantu, Jose Castillo, and Dallas McPherson, who will battle it out all spring for the unenviable task of trying to fill Cabrera‘s ginormous cleats. Cantu played second base for the Rays, and the fact that he hit 28 jacks in 2005 is enough to intrigue a few people. Formerly with the Pirates, Castillo is pretty versatile, having played at second, third and short. McPherson was once a top prospect in the Angels organization, but missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing back surgery. Since it would probably take all three bats combined to make up for the one Miggy packed in his suitcase to Detroit, forgive me for not being all that giddy about any of his potential replacements.

Center Field

Another key position up for grabs is center field, a spot the Marlins have had to piece together over the last several seasons. Top prospect Cameron Maybin, a main component of the Florida/Detroit trade this off-season, will presumably be given every opportunity to earn the job. “Earn” is the operative word here. Contrary to popular opinions of the Marlins, they are not just going to hand the position to the 20-year-old. Regardless of the lack of pressure playing in Florida affords, the Marlins are not an instructional league. If Maybin needs more time to develop, he should start the season anywhere but in the starting lineup. In a perfect world, Maybin would blaze into spring training, blow away the competition and win the position outright. Otherwise, there is no reason to rush him.

Another player who will get a good look in center this spring is Alejandro De Aza. De Aza came out of relative obscurity to win the starting position in spring training last year, but suffered a stress fracture early on that kept him out of the lineup for the majority of the season. Cody Ross is also an option for a possible platoon in center, as long as he‘s able to stay healthy.

The Rotation

With the D-Train long gone to Detroit, the number one spot in the rotation is free and up for grabs. Also up for grabs are the 200+ innings Willis would have swallowed for the Fish, along with his newly vacated role as veteran leader of the pitching staff. Top contenders for the opening day starting spot are Scott Olsen, Sergio Mitre and Andrew Miller. Miller was another major proponent of the Detroit trade, and the highly regarded former first-round draft pick is expected to be a key part of the Marlins’ starting rotation.

Scott Olsen doesn’t believe in Sophomore slumps, but I am going to respectfully disagree with him (and hope he doesn’t hunt me down and hurt me). Not only do they exist, he is coming off of a doozie. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say Olsen can assume any kind of leadership role (ahem), as far as pitching goes, Scott is looking to rebound from 2007 to step up and earn the number one spot.

Competing for the final spots in the rotation are Mark Hendrickson, Ricky Nolasco, and Rick Vanden Hurk. At 34, lefty Mark Hendrickson is a good fit in the “veteran leadership” category, and can also help eat some of the innings Willis leaves behind.

Nolasco nursed an elbow injury for most of 2007, and there are concerns about how his arm will hold up. It’s possible he will end up in the bullpen at some point this season (if not in line for one of those trendy arm surgeries that are all the rage with the Fish), but will be given an opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation this spring. Also in the mix for the five spot are minor league prospects Chris Volstad and Gaby Hernandez.

Anibal Sanchez had shoulder surgery last year to repair a torn labrum, and he won’t be ready for spring training or for the start of the season. Sanchez will be worked back in slowly, possibly rejoining the rotation around the all-star break. Josh Johnson, still on the mend from Tommy John surgery, is not expected to be back in the rotation until 2009. If anyone tells you he will start sometime this season, feel free to point at them and laugh. Loudly.

Marlins starting pitchers struggled last year to go deep into games, and for the first time in franchise history, not one of them pitched a complete game. In fact, many Fish followers began viewing a 5-inning outing with about the same amount of awe as the average fan views a no-hitter. The bottom line for Marlins starters, whoever they are, is they are going to have to consistently get deeper into games, and spare the bullpen the abuse it suffered in 2007.

Catcher

Mike Rabelo, another piece of the Marlins/Tigers trade, may have an edge in winning the starting job in 2008, if for no other reason than the Marlins seem pretty intent on using Matt Treanor in a backup role. There is a chance, though, that the two could end up with a 50/50 split behind the plate.

Bullpen

The ‘pen remains pretty much intact heading into spring training, less Armando Benitez (excuse me while I sob uncontrollably for a few moments). For the most part, Marlins relievers were the silver lining on last year’s abysmal season, but I’m really hoping to see a lot less of these guys in 2008. Excepting, of course, closer Kevin Gregg.

What to Expect:

Defense

For a team that has always placed strong emphasis on good defense, 2007 was a nightmare. The Marlins led the league in errors (137), and brought up the rear in fielding percentage (.977). Luckily, a slew of defensive upgrades were made this off-season to try and right the ship…no, wait. What I meant to say was that almost nothing has been done to give us a whole lot of confidence that the defense will be better in 2008. But still, expect a serious team focus on D in spring training this year. Feet, funnel, fire, follow…whatever. Just protect the flippin’ ball, please.

$2 Million Mentor

Our boys are about to become men. The Marlins latest off-season acquisition, 40-year-old outfielder Luis Gonzalez, will serve as Josh Willingham’s back-up in left, a possible fill-in at first, a pinch hitter, and that elusive “veteran presence” the Marlins always seem to be in need of after a routine gutting of the squad. Look for Gonzalez to be key in filling in for Hammer if his back gives him trouble, and…uh…helping to grow hair on the chests of the baby Marlins.

Hermida

One Fish to keep an eye on heading into spring training is Jeremy Hermida. Hermida battled injuries that kept him sidelined for parts of 2006 and 2007, but his second-half surge last season gives Fish fans reason to hope he may start living up to some of the early hype. If he can stay healthy, maybe Marlins fans can enjoy a slightly delayed reaping of the harvest of Jeremy’s potential.

The Marlins go into spring training with their work cut out for them. Obviously, replacing Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis isn’t going to be a walk in the park. While they’re busy working out the open positions and the rotation, I’ll be busy going to my knees daily in fervent prayer that the injuries can be held to a minimum this year.

Visit Hook, Line Drive & Sinker for extensive Marlins coverage.

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