Marlins camp report | 
Miller's report
JUPITER, Fla. -- Five things to know about the Florida Marlins:
1. Coupon clippers: The Marlins expect to field the game's lowest payroll for a second consecutive season, though the price of business continues to rise (especially with the 21 rookies employed last season all due for second-year raises). Florida expects a payroll of roughly $28 million in 2007, up from last season's $14.9 million. The two richest Marlins: third baseman Miguel Cabrera (due $7.4 million) and starter Dontrelle Willis ($6.45 million).
2. Among the many things that played a role in Florida's surprising 2006 success: the long ball. The Marlins set a club record with 182 homers. Leading the charge: All-Star rookie second baseman Dan Uggla (27), Cabrera (26), Josh Willingham (26) and Mike Jacobs (20).
3. The Marlins are going to need every bit of that good, young pitching they have because one of the bright spots, Josh Johnson, has a sore arm, and the club is still trying to solve the mystery following multiple MRIs. The belief is that Johnson, who went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA last year, has some kind of nerve problem, and he is not expected to pitch anytime soon. In the nagging department, lefty Taylor Tankersley, the odds-on favorite to win the closer's job entering camp, has developed shoulder tendinitis. The Marlins aren't as concerned with Tankersley as they are with Johnson. "Him being a reliever helps," first-year manager Fredi Gonzalez says. "He doesn't have to throw five or six innings regularly. If we can get Tank six, seven, eight innings this spring, he'll be ready to go. And, we can use the early games, too."
4. With Johnson expected not to open the season in the rotation, the fifth-starter candidates to fall in line behind Willis, Anibal Sanchez, Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco are Sergio Mitre, Jose Garcia, Wes Obermueller, Yusmeiro Petit (all right-handers) and lefty Chris George. An eager Olsen said the other day that he thinks all five Florida starters should win 16 or more games apiece this season (presumably, he was including Johnson).
5. A year ago, right fielder Jeremy Hermida, the kid obtained from Atlanta, was by far the biggest stop on the spring media circuit. And it wasn't surprising. Most baseball people figured Hermida was the closest thing to a breakout star among the Kiddie Corps Marlins. A year later, shortstop Hanley Ramirez is coming off of a Rookie of the Year season, second baseman Uggla smashed 27 homers and was an All-Star, Sanchez threw a no-hitter, Johnson, Olsen, Nolasco and Sanchez each won in double digits ... and Hermida was struck with two significant injuries that wrecked his season. First there was the pulled hip muscle, then the stress fracture above his right ankle. He's healthy now, says he feels great, and if he stays that way, he should be another Marlin to watch closely. "I don't think any one player is the key," Gonzalez says. "We have eight or nine guys who have to get together and play. I don't think it's as he goes, we go."
