Florida Marlins

Fresh off winning the National League Rookie of the Year award, left fielder Chris Coghlan is setting his sights on another possible challenge in 2010 -- switching to second base.

There are strong indications the Marlins will trade second baseman Dan Uggla, who could make $8 million in arbitration. If that happens, Coghlan said he wouldn't mind moving back to second base, which is where he played in the minor leagues.

"Hopefully we can retain Danny, but you never know," Coghlan said. "If there is a change, I think that's something I would like to be looked at or in consideration to move back."

Coghlan made his big-league debut in left field in May after playing all but one game in the minors at second base.

"It wasn't an easy transition," Coghlan said. "I just tried to work as hard as I could to get as comfortable as I could in the outfield."

Coghlan finished the season with five errors.

"A lot of people think I'm pretty bad out there, but I think it's an adjustment," he said. "I have confidence playing the outfield. It was a situation I embraced to get me to the big leagues the quickest."

--rhp B

rett Sinkbeil, RHP Kris Harvey, RHP Jose Ceda, RHP Jay Buente and OF Scott Cousins were added to the Marlins' 40-man roster. That protects them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

• SS Hanley Ramirez added to his trophy case when he was received a Silver Slugger award as the league's best offensive shortstop. That's two Silver Sluggers, two All-Star nods (2008-09), one batting title (.342 in 2009) and one NL Rookie of the Year award (2006) in his first four fill big-league seasons.

• 2B Chris Coghlan came home last week empty-handed after a two-week hunting trip in Kansas. But he soon bagged a prestigious trophy when he was named the National League's Rookie of the Year.

  Coghlan led all rookies with a .321 average, 162 hits, 84 runs, 31 doubles, a .390 on-base percentage and a .460 slugging percentage. He hit .372 after the All-Star break and led the majors in the second half with 113 hits. He was called up in May and hit .245 before the break.

• LHP Renyel Pinto may have thrown his last pitch for the Marlins. Pinto is one of 11 arbitration-eligible Marlins, and the team could decide he is too expensive. He made $404,000 last year while going 4-1 with a 3.70 ERA in 73 appearances.

• The team has expressed mild interest in free agent INF Jamey Carroll, who batted .276 in 93 games for the Indians in 2009. He played second and third base for Cleveland.

• The Marlins are encouraged by the play of OF Bryan Petersen in the Arizona Fall League. Petersen went into the final week hitting .422 (35-for-83). A fourth-round selection in 2007, Petersen hit .297 with Class AA Jacksonville in 2009.

By The Numbers:

3—NL Rookie of the Year awards won by Marlins in the last seven years: LHP Dontrelle Willis in 2003, SS Hanley Ramirez in 2006, and LF Chris Coghlan in 2009.

Quote To Note:

"I think there are plenty of things I can improve, and I'm excited about next year to show what I can improve on."

—LF Chris Coghlan, the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year.

The Marlins entered the offseason unsure about what they'll do at second base, first base and right field. They also have decisions about the middle of their rotation and have several spots open in the bullpen.

Biggest Needs:

The Marlins need to decide if they can afford 2B Dan Uggla, RF Cody Ross and 3B Jorge Cantu, three of 11 arbitration-eligible players. They need to determine if they can rely on their existing starting pitchers to bounce back next year. Unless they sign free agent 1B Nick Johnson, they could give prospect Logan Morrison a shot at the position in spring. They also need to address their bullpen, mainly deciding if RHP Leo Nunez can be a full-time closer.

Arrival:

LHP Hunter Jones (trade with Red Sox).

Departures:

OF Jeremy Hermida (traded to Red Sox) RHP Scott Proctor (released, signed minor league deal with Braves).

Free Agents:

1B Nick Johnson, RHP Brendan Donnelly, RHP Kiko Calero, INF Ross Gload.

Johnson, Donnelly and Calero three want to come back, but the Marlins won't have the money to re-sign them all unless one takes a discount.

Arbitration-eligible:

INF Alfredo Amezaga, 3B Jorge Cantu, RHP Josh Johnson, RHP Matt Lindstrom, RHP Ricky Nolasco, RHP Leo Nunez, C Ronny Paulino, LHP Renyel Pinto, OF Cody Ross, RHP Anibal Sanchez, 2B Dan Uggla.

The Marlins will offer a multiyear contract to Johnson. They must decide what to do with Ross and Cantu. The Marlins like the catching tandem of Paulino and John Baker.

In Limbo:

2B Dan Uggla, INF Jorge Cantu and OF Cody Ross could be dealt, with Uggla the least likely of that trio to depart.

Medical Watch:

CF Cameron Maybin (left shoulder surgery in November 2009) expects to be healthy in time for spring training.

INF/OF Alfredo Amezaga (bone bruise on left knee) missed most of the season. He should be ready for spring training.

3B Jorge Cantu (right ankle sprain) was injured Oct. 3. He'll be ready for spring training.

SS Hanley Ramirez (right knee contusion) was injured Oct. 3. He'll be ready for spring training.