In 1997, Wayne Huizenga put a competitive team on the baseball diamond in Miami. It was a test of the baseball fans in South Florida, as well as his team. The team passed with flying colors, delivering a world championship to South Florida. The fans failed miserably. Huizenga lost millions in a season where his team won the World Series. Huizenga went on to sell the team to John Henry (Current owner of the Boston Red Sox). The team has since landed in the hands of Jeffery Loria, a New York fine art dealer. Six years after the Florida Marlins brought home their first World Series title, a team of destiny, led by a young core including Josh Beckett, Juan Pierre and late season call-up rookies Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis took home a second world championship in 2003. On April 6th, 2009, the young, rebuilt Florida Marlins took the field to begin the 2009 season. So the question is... Another six years later, can the Florida Marlins shock the world again? The Marlins have a history of winning behind pitching, defense and speed. And that is exactly what the 2009 Marlins are built around. +*Pitching*+ *Starters:* 1. *Ricky Nolasco*- Nolasco flashed the ability of an ace last year at times. He struck out nearly 200 batters in 2008. If he can pitch the 2009 season like he did the second half of 2008, he will prove himself as a legitimate ace. 2. *Josh Johnson*- Josh Johnson is one of the best unknowns in baseball. Now two years removed from Tommy John surgery, Johnson finally has a chance to prove that he can put up Cy Young numbers over an entire season. If Johnson stays healthy, he is a great dark horse pick for the NL Cy Young. 3. *Chris Volstad*- This kid should have "ACE" tattooed across his forehead. In 15 appearances (14 starts) last season, Volstad produced a sub 3.00 ERA, and looked like a 10 year veteran. He showed veteran ability to work out of difficult situations by staying confident in his pitches, and using his two-seem fastball to induce ground balls in double play situations. If Volstad is as good as advertised, the local kid from Palm Beach may prove to be one of the best young pitchers in baseball. 4. *Anibal Sanchez*- It seems like a long time ago that Sanchez was the young prodigy who threw a no-hitter as a rookie in 2006. After battling injuries since, Sanchez is poised to finally pitch a full season in the big leagues. And if he can strike out batters the way he did in 2008, he is going to be a force. 5. *Andrew Miller*- Miller was the second piece of the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis trade. So far, he has not proven to be as good as Marlins fans were expecting after giving up the two faces of the franchise. Miller is believed to have top starter potential. If he wants to stick around, he has to show it in 2009. If he does not do it as a starter, he could come out of the bullpen. If the Marlins top starters live up to their potential, this young rotation could prove to be one of the best in baseball. But that is a very big "if." The rotation will be key if the Marlins are going to be successful in 2009. *Bullpen:* *Matt Lindstrom*- Lindstrom takes over the closer role for the Marlins in 2009 after the fish shipped Kevin Gregg to the Cubs in the offseason. Lindstrom's fastball is consistently the fastest pitch in baseball. He averaged 97 mph on it last season, and sometimes puts it over the plate at 100+ mph. If he can control his fastball, and develop consistency with his slider and changeup, he could be a great closer. *Leo Nunez*- If Lindstrom struggles as the closer, Nunez would be the most likely to take over the role. If not, he will be the setup man. *Kiko Calero*- Calero is a local product, having played college baseball at Miami-Dade Junior College and St. Thomas University in Miami. He appears to be Freddy Gonzalez's favorite middle reliever. He has a nasty slider when he is in control of it. *Logan Kensing*- Kensing is a big question mark. We really do not know what to expect from him. *Dan Meyer*- Meyer will mainly be used as a lefty specialist. +*The Infield*+ *First Base:* *Jorge Cantu*- Cantu was key to the success that the Marlins has in 2008. He will be an important player for the team in 2009, batting cleanup behind Hanley Ramirez. If Cantu can continue to be the clutch hitter that he was in 2008, the Marlins should be set nicely at first base. _Cantu can also play third base and second base._ *Gaby Sanchez*- Sanchez is one of the top prospects in the Marlins farm system. He was expected to be the Marlins everyday first baseman in 2009, but struggled in spring training. He starts the season in the minors, but expect him to be called up early in the season. What he will do in the majors is still a big question. *Wes Helms*- Helms will be asked to contribute as a pinch hitter and spot starter at first and third base in 2009. It is a role he played in 2008, and did quite well in. As a pinch hitter, Helms hit over .300 in 2008. *Ross Gload*- Gload was a late spring acquisition for the Marlins. He was acquired in a trade with the Royals on April 1, 2009. Like Wes Helms, he will be asked to contribute off the bench. He should provide a solid veteran presence in the clubhouse. *Second Base:* *Dan Uggla*- Uggla is capable of swinging the bat as well as anyone in baseball. But he is also capable of swinging it as poorly as anyone. He may be the streakiest player in baseball. When he is hot, there is no one who can stop him. When he is cold, the Marlins would do just as well sending their TV Play-By-Play guy to the plate. Uggla should hit at least .275 and 30+ HR this season. He has set a personal goal of scoring 100+ runs and driving in 100+ runs in 2009. *Emilio Bonifacio*- (See Emilio Bonifacio in Third Base) *Alfredo Amezega*- Amezega is the do everything guy. He could make appearances at every positon except pitcher, catcher and first base this season. He is not on the MLB roster right now, but don't be surprised to see him move up and down throughout the season. He won't be a major contributor unless the Marlins get him by injuries. *Third Base:* *Emilio Bonifacio*- Emilio Bonifacio- Bonifacio has started the season off better than anyone could have hoped for. Not only is he 8 for 12 at the plate, but he appears to have the kind of speed that will drive pitchers and catchers out of their minds. If he learns how to be a good base-runner, he very well could contend with Jose Reyes to lead the MLB in steals. He certainly will not stay this hot. But if Bonifacio can become a consistent lead-off hitter for the Marlins, it will give them tremendous speed at the top of their lineup, and will force pitchers to give John Baker and Cameron Maybin a lot to hit batting second. *Wes Helms*- (See Wes Helms in First Base) *Jorge Cantu*- (See Jorge Cantu in First Base) *Alfredo Amezega*- (See Alfredo Amezega in Second Base) *Shortstop:* *Hanley Ramirez*- Hanley has established himself as the best shortstop in the game. He can hit for average and power. He can steal bases. And he is a capable fielder, although he commonly struggles with errors. Hanley will bat third for the entire season. He will likely hit .300, hit 30+ HR, steal 30+ bases, and lead the Marlins. The Marlins will usually go as Hanley goes. *Alfredo Amezega*- (See Alfredo Amezega in Second Base) *Catcher:* *John Baker*- Baker will bat second and catch against right handed pitchers. He should get a lot to hit if Emilio Bonifacio keeps getting on base in the leadoff spot. *Ronnie Paulino*- Paulino will start against left handed pitchers. He will be looked to to handle the Marlins young pitching staff and contribute a bit with the bat. No one is expecting much from the Marlins catchers. But the rest of the infield is going to be looked to to do a lot at the plate. The Marlins will also be expecting much better defense from the infield this season. The Marlins had the worst fielding percentage in baseball last season. +*The Outfield*+ *Jeremy Hermida*- Hermida was a top prospect in the Marlins farm system. Since he came into the majors, he has disappointed. The Marlins would like to see him finally start to show the hitting ability that made him a top prospect. He will bat late in the lineup, but will play an important role. _Hermida has switched positions this season from right field to left field._ *Cameron Maybin*- Maybin was the key piece of the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis trade. He is expected to be the Marlins every day starter in center field. He could hit just about anywhere in the lineup. The Marlins would like to see him hit for some power and steal a decent number of bases in 2009. *Cody Ross*- Ross was on pace to hit 30 HR as a spot outfielder last season, but most think that was a fluke. He will start in right field for the Marlins, but will also play in the other two outfield spots at times. *Brett Carroll*- Carroll will mainly be a defensive replacement late in games. He is not expected to be a major contributor to the Marlins. He could spend some time in the minors if the Marlins call up Gaby Sanchez or Alfredo Amezega. *Alfredo Amezega*- (See Alfredo Amezega in Second Base) The Marlins really could surprise people this year. They have made the playoffs twice in their history (1997, 2003). Both times they were the NL Wild Card team. Both times they won the world series. They might compete for the division, but are more likely a wild card team. Nothing will come easy in a division with the Philies, Mets, and Braves. So Marlins fans... Cross your fingers and hope that destiny will lead you back every six years. After all, it will only take about three lifetimes to catch the Yankees for World Series titles at that rate.