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Actual Marlins News!

By wiggins

Holy Crap!  There is actually something to talk about now!  What the hell am I going to do!?!?!?!

This week the Marlins start playing real life games.  Of course it's just Spring Training, but as we have said many times - this year's Spring will be exceedingly important for the Fish as they decide who plays where (at least to start the season).  This article was abnormally helpful, for the offical website, anyway, and was chock full of good quotes about what we will see this week and what we might see coming up.

About the rotation -

On Sunday, the first-year skipper said he's tagged left-hander Jason Vargas to start Wednesday's exhibition against the University of Miami. And Dontrelle Willis will get the start on Thursday against the Orioles in the Grapefruit League opener at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

...

Willis will throw between 45-50 pitches. The left-hander, slated to start on Opening Day, will leave Marlins camp on March 3 to join Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.  Vargas, meanwhile, will toss two innings (or about 30 pitches) against the Miami Hurricanes, in the 3:05 p.m. ET start at Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday.

About the lineup -

In putting together the batting order, Girardi says slugger Miguel Cabrera will bat third or fourth.  The idea of a left-right-left scenario intrigues the manager. If the Marlins bat Cabrera cleanup, left-handed hitters Jeremy Hermida and Mike Jacobs are the candidates to bat third and fifth.

Of course - nothing's definite.

"Miguel's position doesn't necessarily depend on Miguel," Girardi said. "Miguel's position depends on the guys around him and how they fit. If I had a for-sure No. 1, and a for-sure No. 2, Miguel would hit third. But I might have to tweak things because I'm not sure exactly how it's going to pan out."

I'm not EXACTLY clear on how having "for-sure" nos. 1 and 2 guys would make Miguel bat third, as it still seems, to me, to depend on who can protect him, and who might bat third if not him - and to be fair, he does go on to say as much... I just really find that quote odd.  

Any which way... I guess it really isn't going to make much difference this year, is it?  They are not going to score too many runs - and they are going to lose a lot of games.

BUT - it will still be a lot of fun to watch.  I have to say I am excited, now.  I am looking forward to getting to know these guys and watching them grow as a team, and figure out who can really produce consistently.  Sure - they will lose a lot this year... but particularly as we get close to actual game time action, I am getting intrigued by the possibilities.  This might not completely suck!  

How's that for a rallying cry?  They don't COMPLETELY suck!

Go Marlins!

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