--OF Jay Gibbons, the former Orioles slugger who hasn't played a big-league game since August 2007, is among eight players who were invited to spring training after signing minor league deals. The others are RHP Mike Wood, RHP Brian Sanches, LHP Willie Collazo, LHP John Koronka, INF John Lindsey, INF Andy Gonzalez and OF Michael Ryan.
--RHP Ricky Nolasco ($2.4 million), 3B Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million), OF Jeremy Hermida ($2.25 million), OF Cody Ross ($2.25 million), INF Alfredo Amezaga ($1.3 million) and 3B Dallas McPherson ($500,000) all avoided arbitration by signing one-year contracts. --The organization's top prospects have been invited to major league spring training. They include C Kyle Skipworth, a first-round draft pick in 2008; 2B Chris Coghlan; 3B Matt Dominguez, a first-round selection in 2007; RHP Brett Sinkbeil, a first-round pick in 2006; and 1B Logan Morrison, the 2008 Florida State League MVP.
--RHP Matt Lindstrom said he assured the Marlins he'd do his best to make sure his participation in the World Baseball Classic doesn't interfere with his role as Florida's closer.
"The main thing is coming into spring training and being ready, and that's all my focus is on," said Lindstrom, who will pitch for Team USA. "The biggest thing is I can help myself by talking to (WBC teammates) like Joe Nathan and Brian Fuentes and hopefully I can get information from them on what it takes to be a closer and the routines."
The Marlins open spring training in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 14. Lindstrom plans to join Team USA in Clearwater on March 1.
--The Marlins are among the teams that plan to take a look at RHP Chad Cordero this spring. Cordero made just six appearances in 2008 before missing the rest of the season because of surgery to repair a torn labrum. He posted 37 saves and a 3.36 ERA in 2007 for the Nationals.
--The team is not pursuing free agent RHP Pedro Martinez, according to the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, which quoted an unnamed source discounting an ESPN report that the team was negotiating with the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
BY THE NUMBERS: 64 -- Players participating in Florida's major league spring training camp.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm excited and appreciative of the opportunity." -- OF Jay Gibbons, after signing a minor league contract with Florida.
