http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/14163929.htm

 

The Marlins are interested in adding another outfielder, love the progress of their young pitchers and haven't made a final decision on Josh Willingham's position this season.

 

Those were among the observations of general manager Admin Beinfest, who addressed the state of the team Wednesday with less than two weeks left before the April 3 regular-season opener in Houston against the Astros.

 

''Is it fair to say we would like to improve our outfield depth? Yes,'' Beinfest said. ``Is it starting outfield depth? I don't know; that's [something] we can't answer right now.''

 

There remains a chance the Marlins could trade a pitching prospect for an inexpensive young outfielder. But Beinfest said, ``We are going to be very careful with our pitching. The pitching has been impressive. We believe we will win with pitching, and we're going to make sure we do the right thing with it.''

 

Reggie Abercrombie, who has started in center field in seven of the past nine games, has hit .409 with three homers and 11 RBI but also has struck out 13 times in 44 at-bats. Chris Aguila (.325, 1 HR, 4 RBI) has started eight straight games in left field.

 

''Reggie has played terrific,'' Beinfest said. ``Chris Aguila, we know, is a very capable backup. Whether he can be an everyday guy, we'll have to wait and see.''

 

Beinfest addressed other topics:

 

? On whether Willingham (hitting .435) will stay at catcher or move to left field: ``I don't think that decision has been made. Is he worthy of that opportunity [to be a starting catcher]? I would say yes. Whether he starts there or not . . . that's something that's still being worked on. We want Josh's bat in the lineup. All three catchers [Willingham, Miguel Olivo and Matt Treanor] have done a good job.''

 

? Beinfest said Dan Uggla, hitting .250, ``hasn't given us any reason for us not to think he can be our second baseman. He has some power. He's worked very hard with [infield coach] Perry Hill.''

 

? Beinfest has been especially pleased with the work of Hanley Ramirez (.396) and Robert Andino (.289). ''The two shortstops are special,'' he said. On Ramirez, who is expected to start, Beinfest said, ``Hanley's talent stands out. He always plays with a smile. He's been refreshing. He has come as advertised.''

 

? Though Beinfest praised lefty Taylor Tankersley (who remains in the mix for a bullpen job), he said ''not having a lefty'' in the bullpen would not be ``troubling to us. We kind of did it in 2003 without a significant lefty in the pen.''

 

PITCHING UPDATE

 

Manager Joe Girardi said seven pitchers remain in contention for rotation spots, although Ricky Nolasco -- who has been moved to the bullpen -- would be a long shot.

 

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, slated to start Saturday, has allowed two earned runs in 10 innings and has a good chance to join Dontrelle Willis, Brian Moehler and Jason Vargas in the rotation.

 

Right-hander Josh Johnson, who entered Wednesday's game at 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four games, allowed three hits and two runs before getting an out against Baltimore, then didn't allow another hit before leaving with two out in the fourth.

 

Lefty Scott Olsen (2-1, 3.14 ERA) also is in the mix. The Marlins wouldn't necessarily need a fifth starter until April 15.

 

? Yusmeiro Petit, a well-regarded, 21-year-old right-hander acquired with Mike Jacobs from the Mets in the Carlos Delgado deal, was optioned to Triple A Albuquerque (N.M.). Petit (9-3, 2.91 ERA at Double A Binghamton, N.Y., last season) was 1-1 with a 7.94 ERA in three spring appearances.

 

? Andino made his first spring appearance at second base in the sixth inning. Though the Marlins have had first baseman Jason Stokes work some in left field, Girardi wasn't sure whether he would play there.

Good read, not sure if the marlins will opt to go with someone else out of the marlins system for a outfield job but u never know. Willi is doing great and Nolasco is really turning heads.

Regarding the no lefty in the bullpen comment, yea we did it in '03 but it hurt us in 04 & 05 as it was always something we were looking for.

It sounds as if the competitions will remain wide open until near the end of ST.