Team Report

We all know the Marlins head into the long off season with a record number of arbitration eligible players set to make more money. While there are 15 arby players, not all of them will return with the Fish next year. With a little help from Yahoo Sports, I will break down our off season outlook…

Free Agents: OF Luis Gonzalez, C Paul LoDuca, LHP Arthur Rhodes, LHP Mark Hendrickson.

The only one from this group that I expect to return is Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes is still effective even as he gets older. Problem is he can’t give you more than a few batters a game. Rhodes was a huge asset down the stretch last year when Renyel Pinto started struggling. A one year offer seems fair for Rhodes who deserves a Kevin Gregg 2008 type salary, considering he was much more effective than Gregg.

Arbitration-eligible: 2B Dan Uggla, RHP Kevin Gregg, LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Ricky Nolasco, 1B Mike Jacobs, LF Josh Willingham, 3B Jorge Cantu, RF Jeremy Hermida, CF Cody Ross, INF Alfredo Amezaga, RHP Josh Johnson, C Matt Treanor, RHP Joe Nelson, RHP Logan Kensing, 3B Dallas McPherson.

We already know the story on most of these guys. I do expect the majority of these guys to be back and battling in Spring Training for starting jobs. Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs and Scott Olsen are 80-90% gone and guys like Dan Uggla would be traded only if the Marlins are blown away by an offer. That being said Hermida should get another shot in Spring Training to prove he is worth sticking around. Cantu should be back as well. I also expect McPherson to get a legitimate shot out of Spring Training for third base.

Kevin Gregg Gets His Back Handed Freak On

I may have said some bad things about [[Kevin Gregg]] this season but ever since his Colorado Meltodown he has been superb. This gem came in the 12th inning of yesterday’s huge win for the Fish. Check out the look on Cantu’s face at first when he receives the 99 MPH fastball Gregg chucks over to him.

The Fish look to win the series today at 2:20.

Report: Jorge Cantu to Sign With Marlins

It appears the Marlins are set on stockpiling 3B talent to replace Miguel Cabrera’s power. The Marlins inked Jose Castillo to a contract in December and now have inked Jorge Cantu to a deal as well to compete for the starting gig. MLB is reporting…

MLB.com has learned from a Major League Baseball Players Association source that the Marlins reached agreement on Thursday with Cantu on a one-year contract worth $500,000, plus incentives that could tack on another $100,000 based on plate appearances.

The deal is expected to be announced today. I have no problem with this deal. Why not get as many options as possible to replace one of the greatest hitters in franchise history. No sense settling on a guy like Castillo.