:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8012967/155271944.0.jpg)
The Miami Marlins may not have much to which to look forward in 2013, but it does not mean that the team does not need to start this impending season. Today, the Fish take the first step into 2013, as pitchers and catchers report to Roger Dean Stadium for workouts at 10 AM. Today, we begin the first day of what will be a month and a half of relatively scrutiny-free warm-up to what should be a dreary season.
The Marlins' MLB.com website has the schedule of what is to come shortly.
Pitchers and catchers report
Feb. 12
Full squad reports
Feb. 15
First Spring Training game
Home vs. Cardinals, Feb. 23, 1:05 p.m. ET
Opening Day
Away vs. Nationals, April 1, 1:05 p.m. ET
As you can see, the Marlins' full team will be reporting to first-year manager Mike Redmond on Friday, with the team having a full week to warm up before starting their spring training schedule. As usual, the Fish will start off against the St. Louis Cardinals, as the two teams share Roger Dean Stadium as their Grapefruit League home during the lead-up to Opening Day.
This year's spring training will be significantly different from last season. In 2012, the Marlins had many eyes on their talent, as new additions Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Heath Bell were set to join the volatile Hanley Ramirez to form an interesting and potentially competitive group. This year, all of those players and more are gone, and the Marlins will not even have Giancarlo Stanton for much of their time in Jupiter, as he and two other teammates will be joining their respective countries in the World Baseball Classic this season. What is left is what is supposedly going to be a tight competition for multiple spots on the roster.
Marlins fans, today we start the long road that will be the 2013 season. What are your expectations and levels of interest, and how closely will you be following spring training? If you are keeping close track of the Marlins this season, then you had better be tuning in February and March for the second annual Fish Stripes Season Preview series, along with all of your spring training coverage, right here on Fish Stripes!