--RHP Anibal Sanchez was placed on Venezuela's roster for the World Baseball Classic, but there's a chance the Marlins will ask him to not participate. Sanchez's winter-ball stint was shut down after two starts in December because the team was concerned about the health of his arm and shoulder. GM Mike Hill said the team has not made a decision yet about whether it wants Sanchez to pitch in the WBC.
--The Marlins will go to arbitration with 2B Dan Uggla, who is seeking a $5.3 million contract. The team has offered $4.4 million. Although technically both sides can continue negotiating until the hearing, the Marlins have a policy of stopping negotiations if no deal is reached by the salary-exchange deadline, which was Jan. 20. The team reached agreements with five other arbitration players in the days before the deadline: RHP Ricky Nolasco ($2.4 million), 3B Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million), OF Jeremy Hermida ($2.25 million), OF Cody Ross ($2,225,000) and INF Alfredo Amezaga ($1.3 million).
--It's in the numbers: 2009 should be the year the Marlins go to the World Series again. The team did it in 1997 and six years later in 2003 -- years that are painted in large signs at the entrance to the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla.
"Every six years, so we're due," said RHP Chris Volstad, who said players who have been showing up already at the complex have been talking about the six-year factor. "I think we have the talent to do it."
--Finding an experienced catcher remains a priority, but the team does not plan to go after former All-Star C Ivan Rodriguez. "If he wants to play for the minimum ($400,000), we'd consider it," team president David Samson said.
Barring a move, C Mike Rabelo is in line to back up starting C John Baker.
--A crucial vote on the team's ballpark project has been delayed again, but team president David Samson said it would not affect the targeted ground-breaking for this summer. Originally set for Jan. 20, the vote by Miami officials was postponed because some civic leaders were in Washington for the presidential inauguration. The vote has been rescheduled for February.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 -- Wins for RHP Ricky Nolasco in 2008, tops on the team.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Everyone is on the trading block, but some players are more likely than others to get traded, and I would certainly put him in the less-likely (category) as we speak today." -- Team president David Samson, about the future of 2B Dan Uggla.
