Cespedes says he likes Marlins, but is playing the field

--Yoenis Cespedes, the Cuban super-prospect, said he would like to play for the Marlins but plans to weigh offers from other teams. "It's a process, but I'd like to be here because there are so many Cubans here," Cespedes said Wednesday after touring the Marlins' new ballpark in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood.

The Marlins would like to eventually put Cespedes in center field. He is still working out legal issues before he can sign a contract.

--RHP Josh Johnson arrived to the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 9, more than a week ahead of the Marlins reporting date for pitchers and catchers. Johnson, who has been throwing off a mound near his home in Las Vegas, threw his first bullpen session of the year in Florida on Feb. 10. He felt no discomfort and expects to be ready for the first workouts on Feb. 22. He made only nine starts last year because of shoulder issues.

--RHP Steve Cishek is among players participating in the Marlins' annual voluntary winter workouts. Cishek, 25, has a shot at opening the season in the bullpen after posting a 2.63 ERA in 45 appearances for the Marlins in 2011. "I still feel like I'm competing and fighting for a job," Cishek said. "That's the way I go into every camp."

--The Marlins' payroll for 2012 hit $96.185 million (for 16 players so far) after the team lost arbitration cases to RHP Anibal Sanchez ($8 million) and utility man Emilio Bonifacio ($2.2 million). Last year, the Marlins' payroll was $57 million.

--RHP Steve Cishek had a tough week after his New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl. Cishek, a native New Englander, had to wear an Eli Manning New York Giants jersey for seven days until Feb. 12 after losing a bet to minor league pitcher Tom Koehler, a native of the Bronx. "I was a sore loser at first, but now I've gotten used to it," Cishek said.

BY THE NUMBERS
$10,200 -- Amount of money Jose Reyes' dreadlocks sold for in an online auction to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He is what we need. He's fast and he's a great fielder and he can hit." -- 2B Omar Infante, talking about his new double-play partner, SS Jose Reyes.

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