Florida Marlins

Losses: 1B Nick Johnson, UT Ross Gload, OF Jeremy Hermida, UT Alfredo Amezaga, P Kiko Calero, P Matt Lindstrom, P Brendan Donnelly

Gains: P Mike MacDougal, P Clay Hensly, P Seth McClung, P Derrick Turnbow, P Scott Strickland

Analysis: Well, this was an interesting off season for the Marlins. It seems they decided they were happy with their positions players. They let Nick Johnson go. He is still a solid player, but always a health risk. The Marlins say Gaby Sanchez is ready for a full-time role, so Jorge Cantu shifts back over to 1st base and away we go. The Marlins let 4th OF Jeremy Hermida and super-sub Alfredo Amezaga leave town. Amezaga was really only useful against the Mets (he hits his only homeruns against them). They will use Emilio Bonifacio as the super-sub, after he couldn't merit the starting 3rd base job. Then the Marlins went to work on the bullpen. Kiko Calero is out, coming off injury. Matt Lindstrom is out, coming off losing his closer job and Brendan Donnelly is out, just because. In come an array of arms in MacDougal, Hensly, McClung, Turnbow, Strickland (and a few others). The Marlins have a satisfactory pen even before they bring in this flock of arms, but they could use someone to step up into the 8th inning role, which was formerly Leo Nunez. Look for MacDougal to get a shot at that. Overall, it was really a white bread kind of off season for the Marlins. Tough to grade these moves.

More moves: You don't hear much, but I suppose another option at 4th OF isn't out of the question.

2010 Thoughts: Well, as with most seasons with for the Marlins, we're going to have to see if the kids prove themselves. In most cases, they do so enough to be competitive. This year, it'll mostly be on that same array of young arms to step up. Josh Johnson is the ace. He had proven himself before injury, and was able to come back and be that same dominant starter. Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez have seemed to solidify spots in the rotation. That leaves two spots among Chris Volstad, Rick Vandenhurk, Andrew Miller and formerly Sean West, but he was sent to minor league camp today. Perhaps Clay Hensly will get a peak, but I doubt it. I would give an inside track to Andrew Miller, as he is the lone left-hander with West out of the competition, and the Marlins face a lot of lefty sluggers in the division (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Bryan McCann, Adam Dunn). I think the Marlins would like Volstad to emerge and take the 5th slot, but he hasn't taken the bull by the horns in camp. The line-up will look very similar to last season. You'll see Gaby Sanchez in their instead of Nick Johnson or Emilio Bonifacio. He will be the lynch pin for the line-up. Chris Coghlan will also be looked on to continue his Rookie of the Year earning performance. If he does, the top of that line-up could be potent, with Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu. The bullpen is solid from the left side with Renyel Pinto and Dan Meyer. Hayden Penn, Cristhian Martinez and Brian Sanches are the righties. Among them, only Sanches could replicate his 2009 and make his coach happy. As mentioned earlier, they need someone to take over the 8th inning. Leo Nunez made the move from 8th to 9th last season, saving 26 and holding 14, with 7 blown saves. If one or two of the right handed ideas they brought in can work out, the pen can certainly be above average.

Prediction: The Marlins need a little more in their line-up. Unless these kids really turn up the heat, they aren't going to have the firepower. I don't think they'll break 4th in the NL East, but the Marlins want us to say that, so they can surprise us again by being right in the thick of it most of the season.

-APT