DEPARTURES: 1B Mike Jacobs (traded to Royals), LHP Scott Olsen (traded to Nationals), LF Josh Willingham (traded to Nationals), RHP Kevin Gregg (traded to Cubs), RHP Joe Nelson (non-tendered, signed with Rays), OF Luis Gonzalez (free agent, unsigned), LHP Arthur Rhodes (free agent, signed with Reds), C Matt Treanor (released, signed with Tigers), LHP Mark Hendrickson (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Waechter (free agent, signed with Royals).

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Ricky Nolasco

2. RHP Josh Johnson

3. RHP Chris Volstad

4. RHP Anibal Sanchez

5. LHP Andrew Miller

The Marlins will have a luxury they didn't have last spring -- five healthy starters. But there are still questions. The biggest questions are Miller (right knee tendinitis) and Sanchez (right shoulder surgery), who battled health-related inconsistencies last year.

Nolasco, who should have the edge over Johnson for the No. 1 spot, must prove his 12-win season was no fluke. Johnson enters his first full season since Tommy John surgery. Volstad needs to build on the promise he showed as a rookie call-up last year.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer)

RHP Scott Proctor

RHP Leo Nunez

RHP Logan Kensing

LHP Renyel Pinto

LHP Dan Meyer/LHP Taylor Tankersley

RHP Ryan Tucker/RHP Jose Ceda/LHP Zach Kroenke

The bullpen is a work in progress, with Lindstrom getting a shot to replace traded closer Kevin Gregg. Proctor, returning from elbow surgery, will lead the back end and provide veteran leadership. Nunez and Kensing should get two of the spots.

After that, at least six candidates will compete for the final three spots. Pinto needs a strong spring after an inconsistent 2008 season. The bottom line: The bullpen has much to prove.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. CF Cameron Maybin

2. C John Baker

3. SS Hanley Ramirez

4. 3B Jorge Cantu

5. 2B Dan Uggla

6. RF Cody Ross

7. LF Jeremy Hermida

8. 1B Gaby Sanchez

Manager Fredi Gonzalez should finally do what has been discussed since Ramirez was a rookie -- move Ramirez from leadoff to third to take advantage of his power. Maybin, who showed promise as a September call-up, will bat first. Baker hit well in the two hole last year, but he can swap spots with Hermida. Cantu will hit cleanup and Uggla fifth, filling the void created by the winter trades of Josh Willingham and Mike Jacobs.

The question is if Ramirez can hit as well in the third hole. His average suffered last year when he was dropped to third in an experiment. Maybin must prove he can handle the pressure of sparking the offense by getting on base and stealing bases. Uggla had another big year after Miguel Cabrera was traded, so he should be good for another 30 home runs.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

INF Wes Helms

INF Emilio Bonifacio

INF/OF Robert Andino

OF Brett Carroll

C Mike Rabelo

The team will continue shopping for a veteran catcher. Carroll has an edge but his future depends on the kind of spring INF Dallas McPherson has.

TOP ROOKIES: Two highly touted rookies will get chances this spring to win starting jobs. 1B Gaby Sanchez is considered a defensive upgrade, but his strong point is his bat. He hit .314 with 17 homers and 92 RBIs in Class AA last year.

CF Cameron Maybin is penciled in to start and lead off, which would be a huge jump for a guy who opened the 2008 season in Class AA after struggling in spring training.

Keep an eye on RHP Ryan Tucker, a first-round pick in 2005 who could emerge as a long man out of the bullpen.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Scott Proctor (right elbow surgery in October 2008) was slowed early in spring training, and he is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.

UT Alfredo Amezaga (sprained left knee) will be out until early to mid-April after getting hurt while playing in the World Baseball Classic.

SS Hanley Ramirez (sore right shoulder) was day-to-day as of March 20.

RHP Matt Lindstrom (right rotator cuff strain) was hurt March 15 and was shut down for at least a week.