The Marlins decided not to rush 22-year old righty swinging CF Cameron Maybin last season and that looks like a great decision now as he struggled in the minors last season. Maybin played in 108 games in AA-ball last season and he was 108 for 390 (.277 avg, .831 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 13 homers, 49 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. Maybin was awesome for the Marlins in September last season and they hope that it carries over into the 2009 season. Maybin played in 8 games for the Marlins last season and he was 16 for 32 (.500 avg, 1.106 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Maybin also showed outstanding range in CF in 8 games with the Marlins without making any errors. The Marlins really hope that Maybin’s power and speed combination help the team starting in 2009.

31-year old switch hitting Alfredo Amezaga will be the Marlins’ super sub in 2009. Amezaga played in 125 games for the Marlins last season and he was 82 for 311 (.264 avg, .679 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 3 homers, 32 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Amezaga has made himself into a outstanding defensive CF as he only made 1 error in 79 games there last season while showing great range.

24-year old lefty swinging Alejandro De Aza is back with the Marlins after missing the entire 2008 season due to injury. De Aza played in 45 games for the Marlins in 2007 and he was 33 for 144 (.229 avg, .574 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 0 homers, 8 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He will likely start the 2009 season in the minors for the Marlins.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

Is this the season that 25-year old lefty swinging Jeremy Hermida finally lives up to the hype or will he continue to sleepwalk? Hermida played in 142 games for the Marlins last season and he was 125 for 502 (.249 avg, .729 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 17 homers, 61 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Those numbers just won’t get it done for the Marlins in 2009. He played in 132 games in RF last season for the Marlins making 5 errors while showing slightly below average range. Hermida often mis-plays fly balls that don’t go into the scorebook as errors. He needs to stay healthy and focused in 2009, period.

33-year old lefty swinging Ross Gload will likely be the top backup at the corner outfield spots for the Marlins in 2009. Gload played in 122 games for the Royals last season and he was 106 for 388 (.273 avg, .665 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 3 homers, 37 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Gload played 8 error-free games in LF for the Royals last season while showing outstanding range.

25-year old righty swinging John Raynor might get a chance to show what he can do in 2009 if Hermida gets injured again or plays poorly (both are distinct possibilities). Raynor is the Marlins’ #11 prospect according to Baseball America. Raynor played in 126 games in AA-ball last season and he was 141 for 452 (.312 avg, .891 OPS) with 104 runs scored, 13 homers, 51 RBIs and 48 stolen bases.

26-year old righty swinging Brett Carroll is running out of time for the Marlins. He played in 26 games for the Marlins last season and he was 1 for 17 (.059 avg, .287 OPS) with 5 runs scored and 1 RBI. Carroll also played in 38 games in AAA+A+Rookie Ball last season in which he was 42 for 146 (.288 avg) with 29 runs scored, 11 homers and 32 RBIs. Carroll played in 7 games in LF for the Marlins last season while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C-

The Florida Marlins have acquired 32-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Ross Gload from the Royals for a player to be named later. Gload played in 122 games for the Royals last season in which he was 106 for 388 (.273 avg, .665 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 3 homers, 37 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Gload has now played in 483 games in his major league career in which he is 345 for 1,202 (.287 avg, .737 OPS) with 143 runs scored, 22 homers, 162 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. This was a good trade for the Marlins as Gload will give them a solid bat off the bench in 2009.

The Florida Marlins have acquired 24-year old righty starting pitcher Hayden Penn from the Orioles for 24-year old righty swinging shortstop Robert Andino. Penn has fallen on some hard times due to injuries as he was once one of the highest rated prospects in all of baseball. Penn pitched in 21 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last season for the Orioles and he was 6-7 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Penn has also pitched in 14 games (all starts) in his major league career in which he is 3-6 with a 9.31 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP. Penn has allowed a amazing 84 hits and he’s walked 34 batters in only 58 innings in his major league career. Penn will be the long man in the Marlins’ bullpen this season as he’s out of options.

Robert Andino played in 44 games for the Marlins last season and he was 13 for 63 (.206 avg, .587 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. Andino played in 79 games for the Marlins in his career in which he was 29 for 144 (.201 avg, .549 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers, 12 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

The Marlins have released 3B Dallas McPherson. McPherson played in 16 games this spring for the Marlins in which he was 11 for 46 (.239 avg, .684 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs. McPherson also whiffed 15 times this spring and that was part of his downfall. Some team will give McPherson a chance this season and he could come back to haunt the Marlins.