Fewer jobs guaranteed

 

As many as a half-dozen roster spots with the world champions are there for the taking this spring -- a far cry from last year, when only one spot was in question.

 

By CLARK SPENCER

 

cspencer@herald.com

 

 

JUPITER - Toby Borland, who knew his chances of surviving spring training with the Marlins last year were bleak, suggested a novel solution. When he heard of resident magician and fellow reliever Doug Boechtler's sleight-of-hand skills, Borland looked around the clubhouse at his competition and deadpanned, ``I wish he could make about 10 of these other relievers disappear right now.''

 

Boechtler was good, but not that good. Borland was cut before opening day.

 

The clubhouse isn't any less crowded for the Marlins this spring. But the job openings could be in greater supply. Even though the nucleus of the World Series team returns, as many as a half-dozen spots on the 25-man roster are up for grabs.

 

''There are some opportunities here, no question,'' said general manager Admin Beinfest. ``Our everyday lineup is pretty set, so the opportunity is on the bench and in the bullpen.''

 

The lineup and starting pitching staff -- save, perhaps, for the fifth spot in the rotation -- are set in stone. Several bullpen slots and a few of the bench seats also are secure.

 

But, given that only the fifth outfielder spot was ever in doubt last spring, this camp should generate far more intrigue as more than a dozen candidates compete to make the team.

 

Following is a breakdown of what to look for the next six weeks:

 

LINEUP

 

Manager Jack McKeon removed any doubt about who his first baseman would be when he vowed Hee Seop Choi would be given every chance to succeed. Choi is young and inexperienced -- and nobody expects him to make up for the loss of Derrek Lee, at the plate or in the field.

 

But if Choi falters, as he did after a hot start last season with the Chicago Cubs, the Marlins can call on either Jeff Conine or Wil Cordero to take his place.

 

McKeon will keep Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo in the one-two spots of the order. He could round out his batting card with Miguel Cabrera in right field, Mike Lowell at third base, Jeff Conine in left, Choi at first, Ramon Castro behind the plate and Alex Gonzalez at shortstop.

 

Castro's sexual-assault case is ongoing, and the Marlins continue to monitor the proceedings.

 

ROTATION

 

Josh Beckett, Brad Penny, Carl Pavano and Dontrelle Willis will comprise four-fifths of the starting staff, and Darren Oliver -- the newly acquired left-hander from Colorado -- likely will nail down the fifth spot.

 

McKeon said Michael Tejera and Justin Wayne also could contend, but it's more likely Tejera will end up in the bullpen, where the Marlins are short on left-handed help.

 

McKeon called A.J. Burnett his ''ace in the hole.'' Burnett is working his way back from reconstructive elbow surgery and could be ready to return as early as May 1, though he has indicated he would like to aim for opening day, April 6.

 

Once Burnett returns, look for Oliver to join the bullpen.

 

BULLPEN

 

''Last year, we felt the bullpen was set and would be the strength of the team,'' Beinfest said. ``But that wasn't the case.''

 

The back end of the bullpen has undergone an overhaul. Ugueth Urbina and Braden Looper are gone, and the Marlins signed free agent closer Armando Benitez, who struggled with the Mets, Yankees and Mariners last season. Benitez will be joined in the bullpen by Chad Fox and Mike Neu, a right-hander the Marlins received in a trade with Oakland.

 

Beyond that trio, it's anyone's guess how the relief corps will be filled out.

 

''Looking at it on paper, you wonder who else is going to be down there,'' Fox said.

 

Tejera, Nate Bump and Tommy Phelps worked out of the pen last year but are not guaranteed spots this season. Challenges could emerge from a cast that includes right-hander Michael Flannery and left-handers Franklyn Gracesqui and Matt Perisho.

 

BENCH

 

McKeon will have a bit more flexibility on his bench this season now that Ivan Rodriguez is gone, and he plans to keep only two catchers (Castro and Mike Redmond) on the roster, as opposed to the three last year.

 

Cordero and utility infielder Mike Mordecai will come off the bench, and Brian Banks should return as a valuable, switch-hitting pinch-hitter who can play multiple positions. Assuming the Marlins start the season with 11 pitchers, that leaves six bench spots.

 

The other three could be taken by a cast that includes rookies Wilson Valdez, Kevin Hooper and Derek Wathan, and veteran Damion Easley. Gerald Williams also is vying for a spot as an extra outfielder.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/8012114.htm

its very quiet now

I do not have a good feeling about our relief pitchers...IMO I think they will cost us many games in which the Pitchers will have us with the lead. Lets hope I am wrong.

Right, because veteran experience doesn't blow ball games *cough* Looper, Mesa, Williams *cough

Abraham Nu?ez doesn't have a shot? What about Willingham? Boo.

Typical Herald stuff. This type of headline and lead is called "damning with feint praise", but then again considering the source what else can we expect?

Typical Herald stuff. This type of headline and lead is called "damning with feint praise", but then again considering the source what else can we expect?

Yeah, the article is very negative in tone.

Yea...It's negative.