View The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2009 \u00a0– Picks Packages for 2010 On Sale Now! \u2014\u2013><\/strong><\/p>\n Time for Florida Marlins fans to celebrate. Now that Major League Baseball is breathing down the Fish ownership\u2019s neck, demanding that it spends more, we may not see the team dismantled as it was several times over the last 15 years. Previously, when the talent got too good and too expensive, the Marlins sold off their assets. Now, as they showed when they extended Josh Johnson\u2019s contract this offseason, they may retain those assets and stay competitive.<\/p>\n Johnson, the unquestioned ace of Florida\u2019s staff, is the poster boy for Tommy John surgery success. With each year that passes since he went under the knife, Johnson gets better. Last year was his best as a pro; he went 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA and 191 strikeouts. Still just 26 years old, he may still get better. Some pessimists don\u2019t see Ricky Nolasco as a viable No. 2 \u2013 after all, his 5.06 ERA was ugly \u2013 but he\u2019s much better than that stat indicates. He whiffed more than a batter per inning, walked just 44 hitters in 185 innings and had one of the highest opponents\u2019 batting averages on balls in play in baseball at almost .350.<\/p>\n In other words, Nolasco was quite unlucky last year. Don\u2019t be surprised if he really turns heads with a knockout performance this season.<\/p>\n The rest of Florida\u2019s rotation is flexible and has room for growth. Chris Volstad looks like a solid mid-rotation guy and Andrew Miller still has the blazing stuff to dominate if he can ever harness it. The bullpen isn\u2019t an absolute lockdown unit but it has plenty of experienced arms who can close when called upon. Leo Nunez has the job for now but isn\u2019t overpowering. Derrick Turnbow and Seth McClung have both closed in the past, albeit not very well, so they\u2019re good backup plans. The Marlins\u2019 underrated offense was slightly above average last year and should at least stay that way this year. Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan sets the table like a poor man\u2019s Dustin Pedroia; Cameron Maybin has the tools to become a star outfielder and should be better prepared for the majors this year; Dan Uggla strikes out a ton but gets on base and slugs 30 homers ever year; Cody Ross and Jorge Cantu are underappreciated run producers. He\u2019s the total package offensively, hitting for average, flashing great power for a shortstop and terrorizing opponents on the basepaths. In a better baseball market, he\u2019d be mentioned in the same breath as Pujols or A-Rod.<\/p>\n Clearly, there\u2019s plenty to like about the Marlins\u2019 roster. So where does that situate them in the NL East? Not at the top; the Phillies remain head and shoulders above everyone else, especially with Doc Halladay in town. Definitely not at the bottom; the Marlins have far more talent than the Nats and better depth than the Mets. That places Florida in the middle of the pack with the Atlanta Braves.<\/p>\n If a Marlin pitcher other than Johnson and Nolasco steps up this season, Florida could challenge for a wildcard berth. But I think the Fish are probably another year away from doing so. Expect continued progress from the youngsters and a competitive team \u2013 but no playoffs in 2010.<\/p>\nMLB Team Preview \u2013 Florida Marlins<\/h3>\n
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\nThen, of course, there\u2019s Hanley Ramirez.<\/p>\n