Offseason Outlook: Florida Marlins

The Marlins are next in our Offseason Outlook series.  Here’s a look at the 2009 commitments.  By the way, comments and additional information are always welcome; I usually tweak these posts.

C – John Baker – $400K
C – Matt Treanor – $705K+
1B – Mike Jacobs – $400K+
2B – Dan Uggla – $417K+
SS – Hanley Ramirez – $5.5MM
3B – Jorge Cantu – $500K+
IF – Wes Helms – $950K
IF – Robert Andino – $400K
LF – Josh Willingham – $405K+
CF – Cody Ross – $400K+
RF – Jeremy Hermida – $400K+
OF – Alfredo Amezaga – $945K+
OF – Brett Carroll – $400K

SP – Ricky Nolasco – $400K+
SP – Josh Johnson – $400K
SP – Scott Olsen – $405K+
SP – Chris Volstad – $400K
SP – Andrew Miller – $1.35MM

RP – Kevin Gregg – $2.5MM+
RP – Matt Lindstrom – $400K
RP – Joe Nelson – $400K+
RP – Renyel Pinto – $400K
RP – Doug Waechter – $410K+
RP – Logan Kensing – $400K+
RP – Eulogio de la Cruz – $400K+

This team has about $20MM committed, but that’s before more than half the roster heads to arbitration.  Management won’t keep this team intact, though.

The Marlins are one of the intriguing storylines of the upcoming offseason.  The general sense is that they’ll shop Jacobs, Uggla, Willingham, Hermida, Olsen, and Gregg.  Those hitters accounted for more than a third of the team’s plate appearances this year.  The Marlins want to rebuild the team based on pitching, speed, and defense for ’09.

Greg Cote’s article indicates the Marlins may look to bring in a corner outfielder with speed and strong defense, using internal options for the new-look infield.  There’s been no indication he’s available, but could the Marlins inquire on Carl Crawford?  A more reasonable target could be San Francisco’s Randy Winn (either one would become the team’s highest-paid player, however).

The Marlins also figure to be in the market for young, affordable starting pitching.  I’m guessing they’ll target hard-throwing top prospects, perhaps with little or no MLB experience.  The Rockies have several pitchers who fit the bill.  You have to figure the Marlins call up the Giants as well.  With so many trade candidates, the Marlins’ suite should be hopping at the Winter Meetings in Vegas this year.