The Marlins traded Mike Jacobs to the Royals over the winter and they will open up the first base job for competition. 25-year old righty swinging Gaby Sanchez appears to have his name written in pencil as the starter. He played in 5 games for the Marlins last season and he was 3 for 8 (.375 avg, 1.000 OPS) with 1 RBI. Sanchez also played in 133 games in AA-ball last year in which he was 150 for 478 (.314 avg, .917 OPS) with 70 run scored, 17 homers, 92 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He’s also the best defensive player of the competitors for the first base job.

28-year old lefty swinging Dallas McPherson is a natural 3B but the Marlins might need him at 1B if Sanchez isn’t ready for the job. McPherson played in 11 games for the Marlins last season and he was 2 for 11 (.182 avg, .764 OPS) with 3 runs scored. He also played in 127 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 123 for 448 (.275 avg, .997 OPS) with 94 runs scored, 42 homers and 98 RBIs. McPherson also whiffed 168 times last season against minor league pitchers so you have to temper your enthusiasm about him.

32-year old righty swinging Wes Helms could work his way into the picture if McPherson and Sanchez both fail. Helms played in 132 games for the Marlins last season in which he was 61 for 251 (.243 avg, .646 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 5 homers and 31 RBIs. Helms is not a great defensive 1B either as he made 2 errors in 42 games there last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: D

The Marlins should invest in a righty swinging catcher to help out this season or else they could have some trouble. 28-year old lefty swinging John Baker did a solid job with the bat in his hands last season. He played in 61 games for the Marlins last season and he was 59 for 197 (.299 avg, .839 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 5 homers and 32 RBIs. But, he had his problems on defense. He only threw out 6 of 46 (13%) basestealers last season and that just won’t cut it. Marlins’ pitchers did have a 4.23 ERA with Baker behind the plate so it’s not all bad news with him. Baker also played in 59 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 62 for 193 (.321 avg, .895 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 6 homers and 31 RBIs. Baker could either be a late bloomer or last season could have been a fluke…..we will see for sure this year.

29-year old righty swinging Mike Rabelo will likely get another chance to show what he can do in spring training. He was a huge disappointment last season for the Marlins after coming over in the big D-Train, Miguel Cabrera trade with the Tigers last winter. Rabelo played in 34 games for the Marlins last season and he was 22 for 109 (.202 avg, .550 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. Rabelo did throw out 5 of 21 (24%) basestealers and Marlins’ pitchers had a 4.15 ERA with him behind the plate. If he improves with the bat this season he could work his way into a platoon with Baker.

25-year old righty swinging Brett Hayes will battle Rabelo for the backup catcher job this spring for the Marlins. He played in 91 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 76 for 297 (.256 avg, .708 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 11 homers and 35 RBIs.

The Marlins really should look into signing Ivan Rodriguez for the 2009 season to share time with Baker. But, with Dan Uggla winning his arbitration case against the Marlins they are likely done spending money.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: D+

The Marlins have signed 33-year old righty reliever Nate Field to a minor league deal. Field pitched in 50 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last season and he was 1-3 with 13 saves, a 4.68 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has also pitched in 89 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 4-5 with 3 saves, a 5.13 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Don’t expect much if anything from Field in 2009.

The Marlins continue to be the cheapest team in baseball. They traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for a bag of rocks. Infielder Emilio Bonifacio was the key to the trade for the Marlins and he will be fighting for a spot on the bench this spring. The Marlins also brought in outfielders Jay Gibbons, Matt Ryan and infielder Andy Gonzalez to fight for reserve jobs this spring. On the pitching side the Marlins acquired righty reliever Leo Nunez for starting 1B Mike Jacobs. Nunez does have good stuff and the Marlins will likely use him late in games. Veteran righties Kiko Calero and Scott Proctor were the big additions through free agency for the bullpen but they both have had serious injury problems in the recent past.

OFF SEASON GRADE FOR THE MARLINS: F

The Marlins have signed 34-year old righty reliever Kiko Calero and 30-year old righty Jason Standridge to minor league deals. Calero only pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the A’s last season and he was 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 246 games (1 start) in his major league career and he is 12-10 with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. This is the kind of pitcher the Marlins love to give a chance to because he has good stuff and he came at the right price. Calero has only allowed 200 hits in 242.2 career innings in the majors while whiffing 255 batters which says a lot about him as a pitcher. Jason Standridge started 3 games in Japan last season and he was 0-2 with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. He has now pitched in 80 games (9 starts) in his major league career and he is 3-9 with a 5.80 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. Standridge has allowed 151 hits in 127.1 innings in his major league career so he will have a hard time making the Marlins’ pitching staff.