It looks as if 28-year old righty swinging Jorge Cantu will likely be the starting 3B for the Marlins in 2010. It’s still possible though that he could wind up starting at 1B in 2010. Cantu played in 149 games for the Marlins last season and he was 169 for 585 (.289 avg, .788 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 16 homers, 100 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The Marlins need Cantu to hit well again in 2010 to make up for his iron mitt. Cantu played in 45 games at 3B last season for the Marlins and he made 7 errors while showing pathetic range. His range is about the width of a phone booth at 3B.

33-year old righty swinging Wes Helms will be the backup 3B in 2010. Helms played in 113 games for the Marlins last season and he was 58 for 214 (.271 avg, .682 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers and 33 RBIs. Helms played in 70 games at 3B for the Marlins last season and he made 7 errors while showing slightly below average range. Helms main role is giving the Marlins pop of the bench and he will likely do a decent job of that again in 2010.

24-year old switch hitting Emilio Bonifacio played in 86 games at 3B for the Marlins last season and he made 14 errors there while showing slightly below average range. Bonifacio is a natural 2B and he looked out of place at the hot corner.

25-year old lefty swinging Jorge Jimenez was a Rule 5 Draft Pick over the winter and the Marlins will give him every opportunity to earn a spot on the 25 man roster. Jimenez played in 133 games in AA-ball last season and he was 144 for 498 (.289 avg, .787 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 13 homers, 87 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 3B IN 2010: C