Right-hander Matt Lindstrom pitched solidly in September to earn the right to the closer's job vacated by the winter trade of Kevin Gregg to the Cubs. Although he notched his first five career saves in a stellar September, Lindstrom, 28, lacks the experience most closers bring to the game.

Providing veteran leadership will be a new face: Right-hander Scott Proctor, who also must prove he can eat innings as he did with the Yankees in 2006. Proctor underwent elbow surgery in October but expects to ready when workouts start.

Leo Nunez, another new face, will be counted on to shore up the back of the bullpen, along with fellow right-hander Logan Kensing, who had mixed success in the past two years. After that, the competition is wide open among such candidates as left-hander Dan Meyer and two relievers who struggled last year -- lefties Renyel Pinto and Taylor Tankersley.

The Marlins went into the winter hoping to improve their defense, which is why rookie Gaby Sanchez will get first crack at winning the first base job. With rookie Cameron Maybin set to take over in center field, Jeremy Hermida will move from right field to left field, and Cody Ross will start in right.

The lineup will be new, too, with Maybin leading off and shortstop Hanley Ramirez dropping from first to third in the order. Ramirez has a career .313 batting average from the leadoff spot and a .290 mark while hitting third.

The other big question will be the health of left-handed starter Andrew Miller, who battled inconsistencies last year because of right knee tendinitis. He's working on a new delivery that will reduce the impact on his knee, but he hasn't started a game since July 13.

WHERE, WHEN: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the Cardinals.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: Rookie 1B Gaby Sanchez arrives in camp knowing he's the team's top choice to start at that position. That will give a mental edge to a top prospect who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Class AA Southern League after batting .314 with 17 homers and 92 RBIs for the Carolina Mudcats. Sanchez, 25, was called up to the Marlins in September and went 3-for-8 in five games.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: 3B Jorge Cantu is coming off a strong year in which he hit a career-high 29 home runs and had 95 RBIs. He had a similar year in 2005, hitting 28 home runs with 117 RBIs for Tampa Bay, but he didn't come close to those numbers the next two seasons. He'll be under more pressure to produce since the Marlins traded away two other power hitters (1B Mike Jacobs and OF Josh Willingham).

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Fredi Gonzalez improved in his second year with the Marlins, guiding the team to an 84-77 record in 2008 after a 71-91 record in his rookie year. Once again, his emphasis this spring will be on improving the defense. His right-hand man is bench coach Carlos Tosca. Gonzalez has huge trust in pitching coach Mark Wiley and hitting coach Jim Presley. Andy Fox returns as the first base/infield coach, and Bo Porter is back as the third base/outfield coach.