"I think I will be tendered, I hope," said Nelson, who earned the win Sept. 28 over the Mets in the final game at Shea Stadium. "And I don't want to go to arbitration. I hope we can work out a deal, come to equal terms and play for the Marlins. That's what I'm hoping, that we can beat the world champion Phillies and the Mets. It's gonna be a tough division. We've got our work cut out."

--RHP Josh Johnson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.4 million deal.

--The Marlins failed to trade SS Robert Andino at the winter meetings, but they'll keep looking for a deal. Andino is out of options, but the team has until Opening Day to trade him.

--The team is considering runs at Michael Barrett, Chris Coste and Max Ramirez, among others, for the backup catcher job.

--SS Hanley Ramirez might not start every day for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, but he'll definitely see some action.

Felipe Alou, who will manage the Dominican team, said Ramirez would share playing time with the Mets' Jose Reyes.

"I am not planning on playing him in the outfield," Alou said. "I want to respect and honor the positions in which those players compete with their respective teams. ... Now let's say Ramirez goes 4-for-4. I'm probably going to play Ramirez tomorrow."

--After watching the Marlins trade away four of his teammates and release two others, 2B Dan Uggla insists he's not wondering if he'll be next.

"I don't worry about any of that stuff," the All-Star said.

Indications are Uggla won't be moved.

BY THE NUMBERS: 8 -- Arbitration-eligible players on the roster after RHP Joe Nelson was not tendered a contract and RHP Josh Johnson agreed to terms. When the 2008 season ended, the Marlins had 18 arbitration-eligible players.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "To get my career path back on track, this will probably be kind of the last chance. I'm 28 now. I think I've proved I'm healthy. That one more chance to be a starter is what I want." -- 3B Dallas McPherson.