Florida signed Todd Hollandsworth to a one-year, $1.2M contract this week. Hollandsworth will replace Kevin Millar as the Marlins' starting left fielder. Millar has been sold to Japan.

While Millar was offensively superior to Hollandsworth, the Marlins believe this move has saved them money while adding a left-handed power bat to their lineup. The 29-year-old does possess moderate power skills, though playing in Colorado has exaggerated his numbers somewhat over the past few years. Reportedly, Hollandsworth can earn an additional $300,000 through incentives.

Florida also signed the arbitration-eligible Luis Castillo to a one-year, $4.85M contract. Generally, I think they secured the leadoff hitter at a good price. I'm pleased they didn't think of non-tendering him. Castillo should be eligible for free agency when this contract expires at the end of the 2003 season, and Jesus Medrano should be ready to replace him at second base. Consequently, the Marlins should make sure they move him during the season.

They have several bench players who can fill in for a few months between the time Castillo is traded and Medrano is ready to advance to the majors. Last season at AA Portland in the Eastern League, Medrano hit .297 with a .411 OBP and .413 SLG on 123 H, 27 2B, 6 3B, and 3 HR with a 79:82 BB:K and 39/57 SB% in 414 AB. Provided he makes the AAA jump without difficulty, he should be ready for the majors by September.

Florida's Alex Gonzalez was also arbitration-eligible and agreed to the very generous $1.7M contract the Marlins offered him. Gonzalez missed almost all of 2002 with a dislocated shoulder and is still slightly questionable for the start of Spring Training. I would have considered him a prime candidate to be non-tendered, as there likely wasn't significant interest in him on the trade market and this salary is far above what he should be earning. If they really wanted him back, I'm sure they could have agreed to something after he was a free agent.

Provided he's healthy, Gonzalez should assume the starting shortstop position again. Poor plate discipline leaves him with a bad BA and OBP. He offers moderate power skills that could blossom with better strike zone judgment but no speed.

Florida also continues to sign players to minor league deals. The latest batch includes RHP Doug Bochtler, RHP Mike Judd, and 3B-R Jason Wood. Bochtler spent last season with the Twins affiliate at AAA Edmonton, where he compiled a 79:44 K:BB with 71 H and 6 HR allowed in 88 IP for a 3.68 ERA over 34 appearances, including 9 starts. The 32-year-old has been a AAAA pitcher for the last ten years and should give the Marlins some depth at AAA, though I think he has a better chance helping in the pen than making a spot start or two.

Judd spent last year with the Marlins' AAA affiliate at Calgary, where he compiled a 100:51 K:BB with 137 H and 11 HR allowed in 125.1 IP for a 5.24 ERA as a starter. I think the 27-year-old could find a full time role in a bullpen if he moved to relief, but if he appears capable of making a few spot starts for Florida if needed.

Wood was also at Calgary last year. The 33-year-old hit .315 with a .370 OBP and .503 SLG on 144 H, 37 2B, 2 3B, and 15 HR with a 38:92 BB:K and 3/3 SB% in 457 AB. His average wasn't really supported by his plate discipline, but he certainly has some power. Florida doesn't have a lot of depth at third base, so he could receive a call-up if they run into injury trouble.