Marlins.com

2006 record
78-84, fourth in National League East

Projected batting order
1. SS Hanley Ramirez:
.292 BA, 17 HR, 59 RBI
2. 2B Dan Uggla:
.282 BA, 27 HR, 90 RBI
3. 3B Miguel Cabrera:
.339 BA, 26 HR, 114 RBI
4. LF Josh Willingham:
.277 BA, 26 HR, 74 RBI
5. 1B Mike Jacobs:
.262 BA, 20 HR, 77 RBI
6. C Miguel Olivo:
.263 BA, 16 HR, 58 RBI
7. RF Jeremy Hermida:
.251 BA, 5 HR, 28 RBI
8. CF Alex Sanchez:
.324 BA, 2 HR, 16 RBI in 2005 with Giants

Projected rotation
1. LHP Dontrelle Willis, 12-12, 3.87 ERA
2. RHP Josh Johnson, 12-7, 3.10
3. LHP Scott Olsen, 12-10, 4.04
4. RHP Anibal Sanchez, 10-3, 2.83
5. RHP Ricky Nolasco, 11-11, 4.82

Projected bullpen
Closer: LHP Taylor Tankersley, 3 saves, 2.85 ERA
RH setup man: RHP Randy Messenger, 5.67 ERA
LH setup man: LHP Renyel Pinto, 3.03 ERA

The new guys
INF Aaron Boone: A career third baseman who has playoff experience, Boone will take on a new challenge. For the first time as a big leaguer, the 33-year-old is being switched to first base. Basically, Boone is filling the role vacated by Wes Helms. That is, he will back up first and third, and be a primary late-innings pinch-hitter. Signed as a free agent after spending the past few years with Cleveland, Boone hit .251 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs in 104 games a year ago. He has a chance to see time as a platoon option with lefty-hitting Mike Jacobs at first base.

RHP Matt Lindstrom: The 26-year-old, acquired from the Mets, is a hard-thrower whose fastball has been clocked at 100 mph. A year ago, his combined stats were 3-4 with 13 saves and a 3.38 ERA in 46 games. He split time between Double-A Binghamton and Class A St. Lucie. He has the chance to compete for a setup role and maybe even the closer spot.

RHP Henry Owens: A Miami native, Owens is a 27-year-old relief prospect also obtained from the Mets. Owens and Lindstrom were brought in for lefties Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick. Owens appeared in three games with the Mets, including facing the Marlins in one outing. He also made 37 appearances with Double-A Binghamton, going 2-2 with 20 saves and a 1.58 ERA. Attended Barry University in Miami-Dade County. Owens also fits into the relievers mix.

RHP Kevin Gregg: Acquired from the Angels for reliever Chris Resop, Gregg is a 28-year-old who brings big-league experience to the squad. He went 3-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 32 games last season with the Angels. He added two starts. He also saw limited time with Triple-A Salt Lake, going 1-0 without allowing an earned run in three games. In 2004, Gregg appeared in two postseason games. He has a chance to make an impact in several areas. He is versatile enough to be a spot starter or long reliever. He may also get a chance to challenge for the closer role.

Sanchez: The Marlins are hoping they snared a sleeper who can win the starting center field job. Sanchez, who signed a Minor League contract, has an opportunity to rejuvenate his career. The lefty-hitting speedster has a .296 MLB career average over 1,527 at-bats. But he's striving to overcome some obstacles the past few years. In April 2005, he became the first player to be suspended for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Last year he was with the Reds' Triple-A Louisville affiliate, batting .225 in 38 games before being released midseason. He's been fine-tuning his skills playing Winter League ball in Venezuela, where he hit .350 in 35 games with La Guaira.

Prospects to watch
RHP Chris Volstad: A 6-foot-7, 20-year-old from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Volstad was a first-round pick in 2005. A rising star in the system, he was 11-8 with a 3.08 ERA in 26 starts for low Class A Greensboro a year ago. The club will get a look at the top-rated prospect in the system in big-league camp. He's expected to begin the season with Class A Jupiter. If he keeps progressing, he is a possibility to break camp with the club, perhaps as early as 2008.

RHP Gabby Hernandez: Hernandez turns 21 in late May, and he has a chance to be a sleeper candidate to help the team in 2007. Obtained in 2005 from the Mets as part of the Paul Lo Duca trade, Hernandez was 9-7 with a 3.68 ERA for Class A Jupiter a year ago. He likely will open the year with Double-A Carolina, and depending on how he does, he could make the leap to the big leagues sometime this summer.

RHP Jose Garcia: Called up in September, Garcia got a taste of the big leagues, as he appeared in five games without a decision. He threw 11 innings, giving up six runs (4.91 ERA). He was 6-2 with a 1.87 ERA in 2006 for Class A Jupiter before being called up to Double-A, where he was 6-7 (2.88) in 14 starts. Garcia has a chance to hook up with the club out of Spring Training, but is more likely to end up on the Double-A or Triple-A roster for Opening Day.

Returning from injury
RHP Sergio Mitre: Mitre began 2006 as the No. 2 starter, but he developed a shoulder problem that kept him out of action a majority of the season. He saw some time in the bullpen late in the year, but never settled into that spot. Mitre appeared in just 15 games with seven starts and was 1-5 with a 5.71 ERA. He could be in the mix for a rotation spot, especially with Johnson and Sanchez having some tender arms heading into Spring Training.

Johnson: Johnson finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, but had his season cut short after suffering right forearm tightness during a Sept. 12 start. He didn't pitch again the rest of the season. A few weeks ago, he was bothered by tenderness above the elbow. While the setback isn't believed serious, it will have the club extra cautious in Spring Training.

Hermida: Regarded as a strong Rookie of the Year candidate a year ago, Hermida had a frustrating first full stint in the big leagues. His time was limited by a hip flexor problem early and an ankle injury late. He ended up playing in 99 games and batting .251.

On the rebound
Hermida: When in the lineup, Hermida never got into a consistent rhythm. His power numbers were down, as he hit five homers and drove in 28 and had a .368 slugging percentage. The team maintains he has the makings to be a very productive big-league hitter.

RHP Randy Messenger: Effective in a setup role before the All-Star break in 2006, Messenger struggled in the second half. After the break, he was 1-3 with a 9.45 ERA in 27 games. He struck out 19 and walked 16 in 26 2/3 innings. The team is hopeful the right-hander can overcome his inconsistencies and be a quality setup reliever. This is a big spring for the 25-year-old.

Long gone
INF Wes Helms: Helms turned into a team leader and big contributor coming off the bench. He parlayed his .329 batting average into a free-agent contract with the Phillies. He backed up Jacobs at first base, and spotted Cabrera at third, along with being a dependable pinch-hitter.

RHP Joe Borowski: He stepped up as the closer, and notched 36 saves in 2006. After signing with the Indians, Borowski's closer spot will be one of the most hotly contested positions in camp.

RHP Brian Moehler: Moehler finished 7-11 with a 6.57 ERA a year ago. He brought leadership and a strong work ethic to a young squad, but wasn't much of a factor in the second half. After two seasons in Florida, Moehler signed a Minor League contract in hopes of catching on with Houston.

RHP Matt Herges: Herges logged 71 innings in 66 relief appearances, and like Borowski, he was an example to the young pitchers.

LHP Jason Vargas: He opened 2006 in the rotation, but struggled early and spent a bulk of the year in Triple-A. Vargas struggled with his control, walking 30 in 43 innings with the Marlins. He was dealt to the Mets as part of the trade that brought in Owens and Lindstrom.

2006 hitting leaders (min. 200 at-bats)
Avg.: Cabrera, .339
OBP: Cabrera, .430
SLG: Cabrera, .568
Runs: Ramirez, 119
RBIs: Cabrera, 114
Hits: Cabrera, 195
2B: Cabrera, 50
3B: Ramirez, 11
HR: Uggla, 27
SB: Ramirez, 51

2006 pitching leaders (min. 30 IP)
IP: Willis, 223 1/3
W: Willis, Olsen, Johnson, 12
L: Willis, 12
Win %: Sanchez, 10-3, .769
S: RHP Joe Borowski, 36
ERA: Sanchez, 2.83
K: Olsen, 166
K/9: RHP Logan Kensing, 10.75
WHIP: Sanchez, 1.19

Triple play: Three questions that need answers

1. Can the Marlins build a dependable bullpen and find a closer?
This has been general manager Larry Beinfest's toughest task since joining the club in 2002. Now that Borowski is gone, Tankersley is the most consistent and productive reliever returning. Tankersley will factor into the closer competition, and fellow lefty Renyel Pinto is expected to contribute in a setup spot. There aren't many seasoned relievers in the mix. Gregg adds some experience, but just about every job is up in the air.

2. Who will win the center-field job?
The search has continued for more than a year to find a dependable alternative to Juan Pierre, who was traded after the 2005 season. Sanchez, signed to a Minor League contract, has a chance to win the starting role. He will be challenged by Reggie Abercrombie, Eric Reed and Cody Ross. The team also will pursue trade options.

3. Will the young starters hold up physically and to the expectations?
The rotation got a scare the past few weeks as Johnson and Sanchez have been bothered by arm ailments. The young rotation, when healthy, has the makings to be one of the best in the National League. The rest of the league now knows what the rookies from a year ago can do. Now it is up to the starters to keep progressing.

The bottom line
Considering the Marlins remained relatively quiet this offseason, new manager Fredi Gonzalez will be asked to keep getting the most out of a youthful squad. How the Marlins go will largely be based on how much the players from a year ago keep progressing.