This is part of a 30-article series looking at each team’s depth chart headed into spring training. Florida Marlins Rotation 1. Josh Johnson 2. Ricky Nolasco 3. Anibal Sanchez 4. Chris Volstad 5. Andrew Miller 6. Sean West 7. Rick VandenHurk 8. Ryan Tucker 9. Hayden Penn 10. Burke Badenhop 11. Graham Taylor Barring a surprising addition, it will be a three- or four-man competition for the final two spots in Florida’s rotation this spring. I have Volstad as the clear favorite for one of the two spots. VandenHurk should take a backseat to Miller and West for the other job, but he’s out of options, something that could really help his case. Bullpen 1. Leo Nunez 2. Dan Meyer 3. Brian Sanches 4. Renyel Pinto 5. Burke Badenhop 6. Cristhian Martinez 7. Taylor Tankersley 8. Tim Wood 9. Rick VandenHurk 10. Jose Veras 11. Derrick Turnbow 12. Clay Hensley 13. Hunter Jones 14. Scott Strickland 15. Ryan Tucker 16. Chris Leroux 17. Jay Buente 18. Jose Ceda The Marlins were on the lookout for an inexpensive closer, but no one has been cheap enough yet. As is, it appears to be Nunez’s job. There should be five near locks for the pen unless Pinto is traded. The veterans could leap over Martinez and Wood with strong springs, but there’s no reason to pencil in names like Veras and Turnbow yet.
Catcher 1. John Baker 2. Ronny Paulino 3. Brett Hayes First base 1. Logan Morrison 2. Gaby Sanchez 3. Jorge Cantu 4. Wes Helms Second base 1. Dan Uggla 2. Chris Coghlan 3. Emilio Bonifacio 4. Danny Richar 5. Brian Barden 6. Donnie Murphy Third base 1. Jorge Cantu 2. Emilio Bonifacio 3. Wes Helms 4. Brian Barden 5. Jorge Jimenez 6. Donnie Murphy Shortstop 1. Hanley Ramirez 2. Emilio Bonifacio 3. Brian Barden 4. Donnie Murphy It looks like the Marlins are leaning towards keeping Cantu at third and letting the youngsters battle it out for the first-base job. It would assure a weak infield defense, but that’s typical of the Marlins. I’m putting Morrison ahead of Sanchez, based on comments from the team that they think he’s ready for the majors. Sanchez has the more extensive track record and would hit for more power, but Morrison could offer more in the way of OBP and defense. Left field 1. Chris Coghlan 2. Brett Carroll 3. Emilio Bonifacio 4. Jai Miller 5. Scott Cousins Center field 1. Cameron Maybin 2. Brett Carroll 3. Cody Ross 4. Emiliano Bonifacio Right field 1. Cody Ross 2. Brett Carroll 3. Mike Stanton 4. Scott Cousins A fourth outfielder who can hit is still a need. Carroll’s incredible defensive numbers justify his spot on the roster, but it’d be nice if the Marlins had another fallback in case of injury or a poor showing from Maybin.
