The Florida Marlins are lined up to have a pretty good starting rotation in 2012. They added a couple of veterans (Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano) over the winter to add more zip to the rotation. Here is a look at how the Marlins’ rotation looks as of right now:

#1: Josh Johnson: 28-year old righty Josh Johnson will be the ace of the Marlins’ rotation in 2012 if he can just stay healthy. Johnson pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He missed most of last season due to injury problems but he’s likely to be ready to rock when spring training opens. Johnson has pitched in 123 games (113 starts) in his first 7 years with the Marlins and he is 48-23 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. I think he can win the Cy Young Award this year, if he can stay healthy and start 30+ games.

#2: Mark Buehrle: No starting pitcher is as consistent as 32-year old lefty starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. Mark Buehrle has won in double digits for 11 consecutive years. He has also won three consecutive Gold Gloves as he fields his position really well. Buehrle pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the White Sox last year and he was 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has now pitched in 390 games (365 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. I think Buerhle is really going to like pitching in the N.L. as I expect him to win at least 15 games in 2012.

#3: Ricky Nolasco: 29-year old righty Ricky Nolasco has been a tease his whole time in Miami. He has outstanding stuff but he has not gotten outstanding results with it. Nolasco pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 10-12 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has now pitched in 164 games (148 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 64-51 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Marlins are hoping that Ricky Nolasco finally steps up to be the pitcher they think he can be.

#4: Anibal Sanchez: 27-year old righty Anibal Sanchez is a darn good pitcher when he’s healthy, and he was in 2011. Sanchez pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 8-9 with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has now pitched in 114 games (113 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 39-38 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Look for Sanchez to really excel in 2012 with a better team behind him, as long as he can remain healthy.

#5: Carlos Zambrano: 30-year old righty Carlos Zambrano will be the #5 starter for the Marlins in 2012. He pitched in 24 games (all starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Zambrano has now pitched in 319 games (282 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. If Zambrano acts his age and not his shoe size in 2012, the Marlins could really benefit, as I think he has a lot left in the gas tank.

Wade LeBlanc: 27-year old lefty Wade LeBlanc will likely get a shot at the starting rotation if one of the front five get injured in spring training. He pitched in 14 games (all starts) for the Padres last year and he was 5-6 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. LeBlanc has now pitched in 54 games (52 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 17-22 with a 4.54 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He could also get a job as the long man out of the pen if he loses out on a rotation spot this spring.

Brad Hand: 21-year old lefty Brad Hand will likely start the season in AAA-ball. He pitched in 12 games (all starts) for the Marlins last year in his first taste of the majors and he was 1-8 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Hand also pitched in 20 games (19 starts) in A+AA-ball last year and he was 11-5 with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He will be one of the first starters called up if the need arises for one in 2012.

Alex Sanabia: 23-year old righty Alex Sanabia pitched in 3 games (2 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 0-0 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He has now pitched in 18 games (14 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 5-3 with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Sanabia will likely get some starts for the Marlins in 2012 as he has really pitched well so far in his major league career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: B+