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But outside of the payroll figure, there's nothing particularly noteworthy.
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...y/1258707.html
Word around the Marlins is significant offseason changes are likely coming, with some familiar faces to be jettisoned.
With Florida expected to keep payroll around $37 million barring a surprising change in approach, the Marlins plan to dump Jeremy Hermida; believe they probably cannot afford Dan Uggla (though owner Jeffrey Loria likes him a lot, as one player said); and likely will not re-sign Nick Johnson unless he settles for a deal well below market value.
There's also talk from Marlins people that the team might not be able to afford Jorge Cantu, but that's in question. Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Uggla, Cantu, Cody Ross and Hermida headline the list of arbitration-eligible Marlins players. Some scuttlebutt:
• There are mixed feelings internally about whether to move Chris Coghlan to second (if Uggla is dealt) or whether to keep him in left field. Some Marlins people have concerns about his defensive ability at second, where he played in the minors. The Marlins do not believe Coghlan would be a good fit at third base. ``Left field could be his best position -- he has taken to it,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
The Marlins would consider using Emilio Bonifacio at second base if Uggla is dealt. Bonifacio said second is his best position, but the Marlins must decide if he's good enough offensively to start. They also could trade for a cheap second baseman.
• If Nick Johnson and/or Cantu aren't retained, the Marlins will give a long spring look to top first-base prospect Logan Morrison, who also can play left field. Gaby Sanchez is another option at first. If Cantu is traded, third-base options would include Wes Helms (will make $950,000 in 2010), Bonifacio (been there, done that) or a prospect acquired for Uggla or Cantu.
• The Marlins could keep Cantu and stay slightly above this year's payroll if: they trade Uggla and Hermida; do not re-sign their top four potential free agents (Nick Johnson, Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, Ross Gload); do not tender Alfredo Amezaga; and add nobody making more than $400,000 or so.
• With a need for outfielders, there's internal support for keeping Ross, who could make $5 million. Cantu could make $6 million and Uggla $7 million.
• If Coghlan stays in left, the rest of the outfield figures to be Cameron Maybin in center and Ross in right. Maybin has hit .265 since returning from Triple A. Top prospect Mike Stanton might be ready by next summer or 2011.
• There's a good chance the 2010 rotation will come from the current group of starters -- Josh Johnson, Nolasco and five others competing for three spots (Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller, Sean West and Rick VandenHurk).
• Gonzalez ``will wait until next year'' to decide whether Leo Nuñez or Matt Lindstrom will be the closer. ``Both can do it,'' he said.
With Florida expected to keep payroll around $37 million barring a surprising change in approach, the Marlins plan to dump Jeremy Hermida; believe they probably cannot afford Dan Uggla (though owner Jeffrey Loria likes him a lot, as one player said); and likely will not re-sign Nick Johnson unless he settles for a deal well below market value.
There's also talk from Marlins people that the team might not be able to afford Jorge Cantu, but that's in question. Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Uggla, Cantu, Cody Ross and Hermida headline the list of arbitration-eligible Marlins players. Some scuttlebutt:
• There are mixed feelings internally about whether to move Chris Coghlan to second (if Uggla is dealt) or whether to keep him in left field. Some Marlins people have concerns about his defensive ability at second, where he played in the minors. The Marlins do not believe Coghlan would be a good fit at third base. ``Left field could be his best position -- he has taken to it,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
The Marlins would consider using Emilio Bonifacio at second base if Uggla is dealt. Bonifacio said second is his best position, but the Marlins must decide if he's good enough offensively to start. They also could trade for a cheap second baseman.
• If Nick Johnson and/or Cantu aren't retained, the Marlins will give a long spring look to top first-base prospect Logan Morrison, who also can play left field. Gaby Sanchez is another option at first. If Cantu is traded, third-base options would include Wes Helms (will make $950,000 in 2010), Bonifacio (been there, done that) or a prospect acquired for Uggla or Cantu.
• The Marlins could keep Cantu and stay slightly above this year's payroll if: they trade Uggla and Hermida; do not re-sign their top four potential free agents (Nick Johnson, Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, Ross Gload); do not tender Alfredo Amezaga; and add nobody making more than $400,000 or so.
• With a need for outfielders, there's internal support for keeping Ross, who could make $5 million. Cantu could make $6 million and Uggla $7 million.
• If Coghlan stays in left, the rest of the outfield figures to be Cameron Maybin in center and Ross in right. Maybin has hit .265 since returning from Triple A. Top prospect Mike Stanton might be ready by next summer or 2011.
• There's a good chance the 2010 rotation will come from the current group of starters -- Josh Johnson, Nolasco and five others competing for three spots (Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller, Sean West and Rick VandenHurk).
• Gonzalez ``will wait until next year'' to decide whether Leo Nuñez or Matt Lindstrom will be the closer. ``Both can do it,'' he said.
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