Marlins camp report
JUPITER, Fla. -- Five things to know about the Florida Marlins:
1. The Miami Marlins? The Marlins think they are closer than ever to a new stadium. Plans have been agreed on for a retractable-roof stadium to be built in the footprint of the old Orange Bowl in Miami's Little Havana district. The key this time is that it isn't up to the state of Florida, which regularly has rejected plans calling for public financing. This time, the Marlins are depending on votes from politicians in the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County, and they're optimistic that it will pass when it comes up for vote later this week. Part of the deal for the 37,000-seat ballpark would be that the club change its name to, yes, the Miami Marlins.
2. Now replacing Miguel Cabrera and his 34 homers, 119 RBI and .320 batting average at third base for the Marlins is ... ah ... well, they'll play it out this spring. Dallas McPherson, the one-time Los Angeles Angels phenom and heir-apparent to Troy Glaus whose career was derailed by back trouble, is one candidate. The other two leading candidates are Jorge Cantu, formerly of Tampa Bay, and Jose Castillo, who was unwanted by the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates.
3. The other main competition for a job is in center field, where Cameron Maybin (obtained from Detroit), Cody Ross and, likely, Alfredo Amezaga are the leading contenders. Maybin, who turns 21 on April 4, should win the job with a good spring, though the Marlins aren't saying that. "We're going to be open-minded and do what we think is best for him," manager Fredi Gonzalez says. "If he makes the club, we're going to go through the bumps and bruises with him for 300 or 400 at-bats. It's not going to be 'see-you-later' (if he struggles). He's 21 years old, and you don't want to give him 25 at-bats and then send him out."
4. Matt Treanor, competing with Mike Rabelo for the catching job, has the distinction of being the only major leaguer whose wife might be a better athlete. Treanor is married to Misty May, a pro beach volleyball player with an Olympic Gold Medal and 31 pro titles.
5. The Marlins probably have four-fifths of their rotation in place as camp opens: Sergio Mitre (5-8, 4.65 ERA in 2007), Scott Olsen (10-15, 5.81), Mark Hendrickson (4-8, 5.21) and Andrew Miller (5-5, 5.63). Miller and Maybin were two of the key pieces obtained from the Tigers in the Willis-Cabrera deal, and Miller, Olsen and Hendrickson all are left-handed. The fifth spot likely is between Rick Vandenhurk (4-6, 6.83), Ricky Nolasco (1-2, 5.48), Gaby Hernandez, Chris Volstad and Doug Waechter.
