Florida Marlins 2010 Primer

In the 17-year history of the Florida Marlins, believe it or not, they have never won their division. Even with two World Series titles, the National League East has remained an unattainable goal. They've only finished in second place in the division three times -- the two championship years in 1997 and 2003, and then again last season when they finished six games back of the Philadelphia Phillies.

In this stacked division, expectations remain high for the Marlins in 2010. Team owner Jeffrey Loria stated early in camp that a playoff run is the only acceptable outcome after an 87-win season in 2009 where the team underachieved. "I think what's here is quite capable of doing what we need to get done," said Loria. "The core of this team is back. They are well-positioned to make the playoffs. We have all the ammunition we need."

With the Marlins inching closer to the day they move into their new ballpark -- a baseball-only stadium being constructed on the Orange Bowl site -- the team has started, uncharacteristically, spending money. They didn't bring in high-priced talent from elsewhere, but gave new deals to Josh Johnson and Dan Uggla. The Marlins' payroll is expected to be around $43 million, up 15 percent from last season and more than double the payroll of 2008, but that number should only be an issue if the Marlins are sitting at home during the postseason.

---

---

Coming and Going

In: Hunter Jones, LHP (trade); Danny Richar, 2B (free agency); Jose Veras, RHP (free agency); Seth McClung, RHP (free agency); Scott Strickland, RHP (free agency); Mike Lamb, 3B (free agency); and Mike MacDougal, RHP (free agency).

Out: Nick Johnson, 1B (free agency); Ross Gload, 1B/OF (free agency); Matt Lindstrom, RHP (trade); Jeremy Hermida, OF (trade); Scott Proctor, RHP (released); Brenden Donnelly, RHP (free agency); Alfredo Amezaga, OF/SS (non-tendered) and Kiko Calero, RHP (free agency).

Around the Horn

And in This Corner ...
The corner infield spots for the Marlins have been anything but determined this spring. Emilio Bonifacio had so much trouble getting on base last year, his role will return to uber-utility man. Youngsters Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison are battling at first, and with Rule 5 pick Jorge Jimenez sent back to the Red Sox on Sunday, it looks like Jorge Cantu will be at third. There are even some rumors floating around about the Marlins speaking to the Red Sox about Mike Lowell. With two weeks left until the regular season, expect a few twists and turns from the Marlins on this front.

Youth on Display ...
The Marlins have felt like a young team for quite some time now. This season, fans will get to meet two of the franchise's most prized prospects. Cameron Maybin spent 54 games in 2009 with the Marlins, but just didn't look ready. He's expected to take hold of the job in center field this year and not give it up for a very long time. Mike Stanton has belted 57 home runs in the last two seasons in the minors. He's fighting hard to force his way onto the Opening Day roster, but he's likely destined for some more minor league seasoning. He doesn't need to prove anything else in the minors and should make his major league debut at some point in 2010. When he does, expect fireworks.

Is the Rotation Set? ...
Dominant pitching is quickly becoming a trademark of the National League East, and the Marlins boast a rotation that's solid from top to bottom. Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco will anchor this staff and are bright spots among the divisional pitching landscape, but the Marlins have a few question marks after that. Upside isn't enough for the three starters – Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad and Andrew Miller -- who entered camp as the front-runners to fill the back end of the rotation. Sanchez seems safe, but Volstad and Miller are receiving all kinds of heat from guys like Rick VandenHurk, Hayden Penn and especially Clay Hensley.

Uggla's Future ...
While the Marlins locked up Johnson in the offseason for multiple years, they only gave Dan Uggla a one-year, $7.8 million deal. He was the centerpiece of a number of trade rumors this winter but nothing materialized, forcing Florida to pay Uggla to avoid arbitration. Uggla will be a free agent in 2011, and a second baseman with three consecutive 30-home run seasons will certainly be in high demand around the trade deadline. If the Marlins aren't looking like a playoff team, his days as a Marlin may be over.

Projected Opening Day Roster



2010 Outlook

Hanley Ramirez may be the best player in the National League not named Pujols, but as good as he is and as great as Johnson and Nolasco are in the rotation, the Marlins likely do not have all the ammunition needed to make a playoff run. Their biggest home run threat is a second baseman who might not be with the team all season, and their rotation has fallen behind the Phillies and Braves by a large margin. Expect Jeffrey Loria to be disappointed when the Marlins finish in third place in the division and spend another post season watching on television.