Season Preview

Bring your gloves to Florida games this season because, if it's anything like it was last year, you won't only be able to catch foul balls, but also overthrows that may sail into the stands. Last year's Marlins shattered the old club record for errors, and fixing that problem is what manager Fredi Gonzalez worked hardest on this spring. This is a young team that isn't yet ready to win. But this is also the majors, and a club can at least execute the basics. Video Outlook

Strengths
The Marlins again are collecting young talent, though not all of it will develop as quickly as they hope. They had to option center fielder Cameron Maybin back to Triple A, for example, after a poor spring. That said, shortstop Hanley Ramirez is a gem (but needs to tighten his defense) and second baseman Dan Uggla can catch the ball and pop it over the fence. Right fielder Jeremy Hermida finally is coming into his own and is emerging from a terrific spring.

Weaknesses
Catching the ball hasn't been a strength around here for quite some time. And compounding that issue, there aren't enough major-league-ready arms to go around. When Mark Hendrickson is your opening day pitcher, it's not all that different from waving the white flag of surrender. There just aren't nearly enough choices for Gonzalez, who is being asked to be more player-development guy than major-league manager right now.

Difference Maker(s)
Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. Maybin already has been dispatched to the minors, but you should hear from him yet this season, preferably sooner rather than later. He and Miller are my choices as Difference Makers for the very simple reason that they were the key pieces received from Detroit in the Miguel Cabrera-Dontrelle Willis deal. They must blossom into solid big leaguers. Otherwise, losing Cabrera will be a blow from which this franchise may not recover for years.