Well, with pitcher's and catchers reporting soon, it's time for me to dust off the hat and start picking teams at random to preview.  Hopefully, I'll go through all 30 teams before the beginning of the season, if life doesn't get in the way.

Okay, the first team is....

Oh ####...

Team Previews 2008 – Florida Marlins

The Marlins may set a record for being the cheapest team in the modern era.

Don’t get me wrong, the Marlins are a victim of their market, but really, we should accept 2007 as probably a step back, which is inevitable with a young team.  However, this team has been gutted of it's most powerful offensive threat and the loss of Willis, which negligible right now, doesn't exactly instill confidence in the rest of the rotation, especially those nearing arbitration.  Still, this team has some potential to be a Wild Card contender in the future, especially if some of the arms in their system continue to blossom. 

Starting Rotation

• Scott Olsen (LHP) – Olsen fits the old saying of “million dollar arm, ten cent head.”  There is no question that when Olsen is on, he is perfectly capable of being a Number Two starter.  However, whether he keeps his head together enough for him to reach his immense potential is another issue altogether.  Florida looked into the possibility of moving him during the off-season, but interest was minimal.  They’ll have to hitch their fortunes to him and hope he’s able to behave.
• Sergio Mitre (RHP) – Mitre has turned out into a pretty decent middle of the rotation starter.  He doesn’t have any offering that is any better than average, but overall he’s a decent pitcher that does a solid job of taking the ball every fifth day.
• Andrew Miller (LHP) – Miller, who came over in the Cabrera-Willis swap, has the potential to become a dominant ace of the rotation.  He has good size along with a big fastball, which 93-94 mph, touching 97 with plenty of natural sink.  He also has a good slider and a changeup.  However, command has been an issue with Miller and his changeup and slider can be inconsistent.  He’s very much a project that probably should be in the minors, but won’t be due to the Marlins feeling the need to justify the trade. 
• Mark Hendrickson (LHP) – Hendrickson was an adequate swingman in LA, but other than that he’s merely back of the rotation roster filler here.
• Ricky Nolasco (RHP) – Nolasco is another arm obtained via trade, but he’s more or less a middle of the rotation guy.  The big issue is keeping him healthy enough to contribute, but if he can stay off the DL, he should be a quality third starter.

Bullpen

• Kevin Gregg (Closer) - Officially the most expensive Marlin (trade him!), Gregg enters the year as the first returning closer for the fish in years. 
• Taylor Tankersley (Setup Man) – It's looking more and more like Tankersley is going to be a long term setup man instead of a closer, which is a shame as I think he'd be a solid one.  Still, setup men are valuable and he'll help the fish either way.
• Matt Lindstrom (RHP) – Another capable setup man, Lindstrom is likely going to help in the setup duties with Tankersley.
• Eulogio De La Cruz (RHP) –  A key piece of the Tiger's trade, De La Cruz appeals to the velocity #### of Florida, as he can hit 100 mph with his fastball and off-set it with a average curveball.  He's easily got the potential to be a dynamite closer if he could just get his command under control..
• Rick VandenHurk (RHP) - VandenHurk will likely remain as a swingman, making a spot start here or too, which is good as he's stretched to what he can do as a starter.
• Reynel Pinto (LHP) – A dependable lefty, Pinto is also likely going to be the only one unless Hendrickson plays his way out of the rotation.
• Justin Miller (RHP) – Miller should be the final piece of what should be a quality pen.

Starting Lineup

1. Hanley Ramirez (SS) – Overlooked at times because he plays in Florida, Ramirez is an excellent blend of speed and power.  The biggest problem is that Ramirez is overmatched at shortstop and he’s probably the worst defensive shortstop in the majors.  He’s very much like BJ Upton, a physical freak that simply can’t handle the infield and would be best off in the outfield. 
2. Dan Uggla (2B) – Uggla actually improved last season, walking a bit more while hitting for more power than he did last year.  Strikeouts and defense are still an issue, but overall Uggla is a nice little player to have and is a solid fit here at the second spot.
3. Jeremy Hermida (RF) – Lost in last season was Hermida's blossoming into a star.  Underrated by many, Hermida is a solid middle of the order bat that can hit for power and average so long as he stays on the field.  As he puts his injury plagued rookie year behind him, I think he'll begin to get notice.
4. Mike Jacobs (1B) – An average first baseman, Jacobs hits for some power and is a competant bat, but overall he's not a star, more of a solid contributor that is convient while he's cheap.
5. Dallas McPherson (3B) – Still blessed with the potential for 30 home run power, McPherson hasn’t been able to make the most of his chances, with injuries and a balky back short circuiting him whenever he got the opportunity to be the starter back in Anaheim.  The Angels finally cut their losses with him and non-tendered him at the deadline.  Florida is hoping to cash in on McPherson, hoping that his health issues have finally cleared up.  If they have, Florida could have a Carlos Pena-type bargain on their hands, though still not enough to make fans forget Miguel Cabrera.
6. Josh Willingham (LF) - Another solid contributor, Willingham may actually see some time as a catcher again with the acquisiton of Luis Gonzalez, which would make him less of a average player and more of a solid regular that will make a couple of all star teams.  Overall, I like his bat and his overall consistent approach at the plate, but I would like to see him behind the bag.  After all, what have the Marlins got to lose?
7. Cameron Maybin (CF) – Maybin was the key part of the trade with Detroit.  He's blessed with tools galore, as he has excellent bat speed, good raw power, good range in center with a strong arm and good speed.  However, he shouldn't be starting with the Marlins,a s he's still very raw in all aspects of the game and would struggle mightily.  Unfortuantely, he'll likely be there opening day. 
8. Mike Rabelo (C) – Rabelo served as Ivan Rodriguez’s caddy last season and is a solid game caller with a good glove.  And that’s pretty much all he is, as he’s stretched as an everyday catcher.

Bench

• Matt Trenor (C) – Strictly a backup, Trenor is now the longest tenured Marlin on the squad.  Still, it’s good to be him considering he lives in a nice city and is married to a smoking hot wife.
• Jorge Cantu (INF) – The former Devil Ray was a washout with the Reds and now will try to come out of obscurity with Florida's other team.  Cantu's got some nice power on him, but little value elsewhere. 
• Jose Castillo (INF) – Castillo really isn't great anywhere and is likely only going to see utility duty.
• Luis Gonzalez (LF/1B) – Gonzalez shifts to a mentor/backup role, where he'll likely see some time in left and first base, depending on the needs of the team.  I like Gonzalez being a full time starter in left, while allowing Josh Willingham to catch.  It would be a much stronger offensive unit, though defensively it would be rather rough at first.
• Alejandro De Aza (OF) – Fourth outfielder with little offensive value.  That's about it.

Disabled List

• Josh Johnson (RHP) - Johnson went down early with Tommy John surgery and likely won't be ready till roughly May or so.  Johnson is a fully capable Number Two starter when he's right, but it'll take him until at least July or early August to get back to the promising young pitcher he was at the end of 2006.
• Anibal Sanchez (RHP) - Sanchez also shows flashes of greatness, but shoulder surgery killed his year.  Now, he'll likely be held out until perhaps May or so.  Sanchez also has a Number Two starter ceiling when healthy and both him and Johnson would knock back Mitre to the number four spot in the rotation and Hendrickson and Nolasco into the bullpen.

Minor League Notables

• Gaby Hernandez (RHP) - Hernandez has middle of the rotation horse potential, though none of his offerings are really plus pitches.  Still, he's valuable to have and will greatly benefit from that large ballpark.  He'll likely make his debut in late August.
• Dallas Trahern (RHP) - Another pitcher from the Tiger deal, Trahern is a groundball machine without a dominant offering, but still, a groundballer with lots of stamina makes for a good combination with a solid defense.  He's also likely to make his debut late in the year.

Final Anaylsis

The Fish will likely be better than expected, but in reality that may not be saying much.  As Sanchez and Johnson get worked back in, the Fish should improve themselves with more experience and hopefully more promise from some of their gambles on the free agent market (McPherson.)   Overall, this is an interesting team going foward, but management does need to show a commitment and start extending some of their players in order to continue taking the necessary steps foward, and not just continue dismantling the team every three years because it becomes more expensive than the luxery tax subsidies.

Final Analysis - 5th Place, National League East