JUPITER, Fla. _ Spring training sprung for the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, and all 38 pitchers and seven catchers reported to the club's Roger Dean Stadium complex to take their physicals as expected.
With it came the hope and optimism that can always be found this time of year, even for a team like the Marlins, which under CEO Derek Jeter and a new ownership group is beginning the first season of a rebuild.
"The Miami Marlins have been around a while, but I think we all look at it as this is the start," manager Don Mattingly said. "This is brand new. This is the beginning. This is where we can build from. This is the first part of the foundation."
Now the fun _ and competition _ can start. And it'll center on many of the pitchers and catchers who reported Wednesday. At least one catching and six pitching spots on the Opening Day roster are up for grabs.
"There's definitely jobs to be won," closer Brad Ziegler said. "There's going to be a lot of competition. (Marlins management) stressed that early today. I think they're going to stress it again when the position players get here (Monday) and say, 'Look, at this point, we're going to put the best product on the field. That may not be the guy making the most money or the guy that's been around the longest. It's to be who's playing the best and who's doing the little things that we're asking of you all. Go out and show us you belong.' "
The backup catcher spot is a competition, but perhaps in name only. Tomas Telis _ by virtue of having the most major league experience, his strong offseason playing winter ball in Venezuela, and being out of minor league options _ is the primary contender. Chad Wallach and Austin Nola are also on the 40-man roster. Bryan Holaday is a non-roster invitee with big league experience.
And then there is the bullpen. Out of eight spots, five are more or less locked down. Of the other three, Brian Ellington and one or two starters/long relievers have the best chances.
But the rotation is an area of major uncertainty. Only two pitchers _ right-handers Dan Straily and Jose Urena _ can be comfortably penciled in. Lefty Wei-Yin Chen would be, but he will not be ready for Opening Day as a result of continued left elbow issues.
That leaves upwards of a dozen contenders for the other three spots in the starting five.
"A lot of guys, honestly," Mattingly said.
Adam Conley, Dillon Peters and Odrisamer Despaigne were in the rotation last September. Justin Nicolino and Chris O'Grady also had rotation stints in 2017. Sandy Alcantara and Caleb Smith are prospects new to the organization. Brett Graves and Elieser Hernandez are Rule 5 draft choices who have to make the active roster or else be offered back to their previous organizations. And there has been talk of letting reliever Jarlin Garcia stretch out again.
That's only 10 of the names involved.
"As I look at them, nine legit guys who could be starters and make our rotation, have a chance to make our rotation," Mattingly said. "And there's another five we have earmarked for other places, but they may blow us away in camp."
Those involved in the rotation competition are excited about it _ and betting on themselves.
"I hope we got 10 guys that deserve that job," Conley said. "I don't wish anybody to do poorly. I just want to go out there and do really, really good."
Said Alcantara: "I think I have a shot. We're a group of young, competitive athletes trying to make this ball club. I feel like I'm right up there with them."
And Peters: "We all have opportunities, and the players who perform are going to make the team. ... There's a lot of talent out here. This is going to be a really competitive camp."
