MIAMI -- So much was made this offseason about moves the Marlins were likely going to make. For months, most of the discussion focused on whether the club would subtract from its roster, rather than add to it.
Among the most pressing issues were whether two-time All-Star Dan Uggla and ace right-hander Josh Johnson would be traded.
The Uggla and Johnson storylines dominated Marlins news for a majority of the offseason. The answers to both questions came in January, when their respective statuses were put to rest. Johnson signed a four-year, $39 million contract, and Uggla came to terms on a $7.8 million deal for this season.
By retaining the core of players from 2009, optimism is running high as Spring Training swiftly approaches.
Coming off an 87-win campaign last year, Florida believes it has enough pieces to reach the postseason in 2010.
The decision to keep most of what they already had was a function of payroll coupled with player assessments made by president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, general manager Mike Hill and their staff.
"We took what we knew going into this '10 season, what our payroll was going to be," Marlins president David Samson said. "Then it was up to Larry and Mike. What are the best players to have at those particular dollars, to build a team?
"The decision was made that we wanted this team back because we were so close; to get them together for one more year -- it will be their fifth season together. Keep this nucleus. Sprinkle in some people. Get some good starting pitching. Put together the bullpen, and all of a sudden, you are one of eight."
"One of eight" is a phrase the Marlins often use, meaning they want to be among the eight playoff clubs. Their goal isn't necessarily to win the National League East. It's to get into the postseason. As the franchise has witnessed in the past, once it is in, anything can happen.
The Marlins have never won a division title, yet, via the Wild Card, they have captured two World Series crowns.
Are the makings for a realistic playoff run in place?
Bringing back Johnson and Uggla, along with Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross and Ricky Nolasco, has the Marlins thinking they can play deep into October.
"That's exactly where we plan to be," Samson said. "We thought we were going to be there last year. We fell short. But this year, we would not expect to fall short."
If the Marlins are to improve on 2009 and be in the playoffs, they will be doing so with primarily the same team as last year.
The club hasn't made any major free-agent signings. The two trades the Marlins completed were sending outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Boston for prospects, including lefty reliever Hunter Jones. And reliever Matt Lindstrom was dealt to the Astros for prospects and Rule 5 third baseman Jorge Jimenez.
Florida's payroll will rise into the $40 million range. The franchise also is looking to keep building momentum, and have a championship-caliber club when it moves into its new stadium in 2012.
"From our standpoint, we wanted to do everything we could to build on last year, as we head towards the new ballpark," Samson said. "We want to get momentum, because our mandate has always been the same. We want to win in 2012. But we'd like to have that come off two championship seasons in '10 and '11. We've never rebuilt, other than '05-06. We want to win every year."
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