Nice Article

Florida Flying Again

By Jim Salisbury

Inquirer Columnist

Florida Marlins catcher Matt Treanor looks at his team's young starting pitchers and sees something special.

"I think this rotation could be on the cover of Sports Illustrated someday," Treanor said Friday. "A bunch of guys in spring training, the focus of the National League East."

Treanor might not have to wait that long for the photo.

The New York Mets have been the story of the NL East this season, but the Marlins may be the division's best story.

Two seasons removed from their second World Series title in seven years, the Marlins retrenched and peddled off most of their high-priced talent in an off-season fire sale.

Out of the ashes rises up another potential championship team. The Marlins might be a year or two away from being top contenders, but the foundation is in place. And a good chunk of it was laid in that off-season fire sale.

"From a fan standpoint, I can see how they'd be frustrated [by the fire sale]," Treanor said. "But looking back, [management] knew what they were doing in getting the guys they got."

The Marlins entered yesterday with the best ERA among NL starting-pitching staffs - 4.09. Four rookies hold down spots in that rotation. Two of them, lefty Scott Olsen and righthander Ricky Nolasco, each have nine wins. Righthander Josh Johnsonhas eight. The fourth rookie, righthanderAnibal Sanchez, has been stellar, going 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his five starts since joining the club in late June. (Sanchez was hit hard in one relief appearance, accounting for his overall ERA of 3.00.) Phillies fans will get an up-close look at Sanchez when he faces Ryan Madson today at Citizens Bank Park.

The Marlins' rotation, of course, is anchored by "veteran" Dontrelle Willis. He and third baseman Miguel Cabrera are the only two players left from the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship team.

At 24, Willis is the staff's elder statesman. Nolasco, who held the Phillies to just an infield hit in 71/3 innings on Friday night, is 23. Olsen, Johnson and Sanchez are 22.

Nolasco and Sanchez were acquired in the fire sale. Nolasco came from the Cubs in the deal that sent Juan Pierre to Chicago. Sanchez came from the Red Sox in the deal that sent Josh Beckettand Mike Lowellto Boston. Johnson and Olsen were 2002 Marlins draft picks.

Johnson, who pitches tomorrow against the Phillies, entered the weekend leading the NL with a 2.60 ERA.

Some say the Marlins' young rotation has the potential to be what the Braves' rotation was with John Smoltz, Tom Glavineand Greg Maddux, or what the Athletics' were with Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson.

"It's way too early to predict that," said Joe Girardi, the first-year manager. "But I do see potential, and if they continue to work, it could be exciting.

"I really like the approach these guys have. They throw first-pitch strikes, and they're aggressive with their fastballs. I was excited about these guys in spring training. I saw good arms, guys with swing-and-miss stuff, but I still see areas that need work."

"What's exciting is these guys haven't just gotten a taste of the big leagues," Treanor said. "These aren't September call-ups or spot starters. They're getting great experience. Next year, they'll have a year under their belts and they'll know what to expect - the travel, the hype, the stadiums. They can forget all that and concentrate on winning."

Heck, the Marlins have already done plenty of winning, more than you'd expect from a rookie-laden team with a $15 million payroll, by far the lowest in baseball. The Marlins started the season 11-31, then went 37-22 in their next 59 games. No NL team had a better winning percentage over that span.

In addition to Sanchez, the wintertime deal with Boston also brought the Marlins a potential star in shortstop Hanley Ramirez. No one is quite sure if the 22-year-old Dominican will become a middle-of-the-order power bat or leadoff man. Everyone seems quite sure that he'll be a star. He entered Friday hitting .262 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs.

The Marlins have several other rookies in their starting lineup, including first baseman Mike Jacobs, all-star second baseman Dan Uggla, and rightfielder Jeremy Hermida. And don't forget, Cabrera is just 23 and already a three-time all-star.

"A lot of these guys," Treanor said, "are the type of guys you sit around someday and say, 'I played with him.' "

Some were draft picks. Some were international signings. Some came in trades several years ago. And some, of course, came in last winter's fire sale.

Funny thing is, the disappointing Phillies are in a position to sell off some high-priced talent as Monday's non-waiver trade deadline approaches. They'd be fortunate to make out as good as the Marlins have.