Girardi prepared to school young Fish

MIAMI -- As others doubt, a quiet confidence continues to build inside self-assured Marlins skipper Joe Girardi.

Ready to embark on his first Spring Training as a Major League manager, Girardi embraces the difficult challenge of molding a young, inexperienced team.

Working with what promises to be the lowest payroll in the league could cause a number of managers to seek employment elsewhere. After all, there is no certainty in rebuilding.

And without the economic resources to lure in established players to fill gaps, 2006 could be a long year in South Florida. But the 41-year-old Girardi views the perceived plight of the Marlins as a golden chance to make an immediate impact as a manager.

The past few years, the Marlins entered Spring Training with minimal holes to fill. The roster was pretty much in place by the time pitchers and catchers reported to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.

This year's primary mission for Girardi is convincing this young squad that it is not only full of Major Leaguers, but that it can also become a winner.

"A big part of my job is making sure that these guys understand that they belong in the big leagues and they can do it," Girardi said. "That's going to be my message: 'Just because you're young doesn't mean you can't play. I expect you to do it just like you did in Double-A and Triple-A. It's the next step up, but if you make your pitch, it's a good pitch. If you don't make your pitch at any level, it's not a good pitch. It's pretty simple.'"

In a wild offseason in which the Marlins made seven trades and bid farewell to numerous impact free agents from last year's squad, the club is left with two main holdovers from its 2003 World Series championship team. While two-time All-Stars Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera return as the building blocks, just about every other roster spot is wide open.

"To me, this camp is great because guys will have to push themselves," Girardi said. "We have two spots taken and about 40 guys fighting for the rest."

The reshaping of the roster was prompted by an unsettled ballpark situation in South Florida. Stymied for more than a decade in their search for a baseball-only stadium, the team received permission from the league in late November to explore relocation options.

As management is considering stadium options, the front office drastically dwindled payroll from $65 million in 2005 to roughly $20 million.

The highest-paid player on the roster is Willis, the team's energetic ace, who signed a one-year, $4.35 million contract. The D-Train is coming off a 22-10 season in which he paced the Major Leagues in victories.

The other rotation spots are up for grabs, although Brian Moehler, Sergio Mitre and Jason Vargas are strong contenders to win spots. Rookies Josh Johnson, Scott Olsen, Yusmeiro Petit and Anibal Sanchez also are candidates.

The bullpen is wide open, but veteran Joe Borowski has the inside edge to be the closer.

Offensively, Cabrera is the most-feared hitter in the lineup. A year ago, the Venezuelan slugger was third in the National League in batting average (.323), and he added 33 homers and 116 RBIs. A World Series hero in 2003, Cabrera turns 23 in April, and he is being asked to take on a big leadership role.

By trading Mike Lowell to the Red Sox on Thanksgiving night, the path was paved to switch Cabrera from left field to third base, his natural position.

Aside from Willis and Cabrera, there isn't much certainty as to who will secure the other roster spots. Yet two rookie left-handed hitters with power potential are expected to crack the starting lineup -- outfielder Jeremy Hermida, the club's top prospect since being a first-round pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, and first baseman Mike Jacobs, who was obtained from the Mets as part of the Carlos Delgado deal.

In their brief big-league careers, Hermida and Jacobs each made history. Both homered in their first Major League at-bats. Jacobs went deep as a pinch-hitter for the Mets, and Hermida connected on a pinch-hit grand slam.

Hermida is the first player in 107 years to deliver a grand slam in his first big-league at-bat.

The catching position will be a battle between Miguel Olivo and Josh Willingham, who is a converted infielder. If Willingham struggles defensively, he will become a candidate in left field.

With the potential for so many moving parts, Girardi steps into a situation that vastly differs from his past. A year ago, he was the bench coach of the Yankees, with whom he was working with megastars signed to huge contracts. In New York, there wasn't much doubt about who would start at shortstop and third base. That is not the case with the Marlins.

Girardi has to wait and see who blossoms to fill so many roles.

A former catcher not too far removed from his playing days, Girardi promises to connect with his players on many levels. First off, he's incredibly knowledgeable and has tremendous leadership skills. Secondly, he's won championship rings. And thirdly, he is a hard worker who will demand the same of his players.

"I think you'll see a lot more intensity in this camp," Girardi said.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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