Off to one of their fastest starts in franchise history, the Marlins are weighing which direction they will be heading as the season plods forward.
Does the team stay the course with a young roster, or does it look outside for a proven player or players? In other words, does it become a buyer?
A high-ranking team source on Friday said the team would seriously entertain making moves to upgrade in hopes of reaching the playoffs this season. But it also was made clear, there is a long ways to go before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
At 20-14 entering Friday night at Washington, the Marlins have matched their best start through 34 games. The 2004 team also was six over .500.
One of the biggest surprises in the league, the Marlins are challenging with a league-low $22 million payroll, and a comparatively young roster, with a very inexperienced starting rotation.
Three sources have said the team remains interested in outfielder Jacque Jones, who was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Monday.
If added, Jones would filter into the center-field mix with Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga, who also is an option to then see more action as a backup middle infielder. Jones also could play left field, and he has experience leading off.
Now that Hanley Ramirez has been switched from leading off to No. 3 in the batting order, the team is reviewing its leadoff options. Amezaga and Ross have been handling that spot.
The source said on Friday that the current management team has a track record of making mid-season moves. That especially was the case in 2003, when reliever Ugueth Urbina was obtained from the Rangers in early July. Urbina became a focal point in the Marlins winning the Wild Card before eventually capturing the franchise's second World Series crown.
Also in '03, the Marlins added on by obtaining outfielder Jeff Conine from the Orioles, after then third baseman Mike Lowell suffered a broken hand in late August.
In 2004, the Marlins pulled the trigger on a major trade with the Dodgers in late July. That year, Florida obtained catcher Paul Lo Duca, outfielder Juan Encarnacion and reliever Guillermo Mota in a deal that sent Brad Penny to Los Angeles.
In 2006, the Marlins explored a deal with the Nationals for Alfonso Soriano near the deadline, but the asking price was too high.
The Marlins are realistic about their roster, and how young they are, and they don't want to mortgage the future for a quick fix. The team is making improvements, but the focus is to maintain a nucleus that the team hopes blossoms over the next few seasons.
The Marlins are scheduled to move into a new retractable-roof stadium at the Orange Bowl in downtown Miami in 2011, and the club hopes to be primed as a serious contender by then.
But if there is a chance at a magical run in 2008, the team is willing to consider making a major deal.
