Last week, Florida signed LHP Al Leiter to a one-year, $8M contract. Of the $8M, Leiter reportedly will receive $2M in 2005 with $1M going directly to his charity Leiter's Landing and $5M deferred without interest until an undisclosed date. Leiter's always operated with a high walk rate, pitching effectively despite the additional bases on balls. Moving from Shea Stadium to Pro Player, Leiter will remain in a pitcher-friendly environment with a solid defense behind him, so I do not anticipate a substantial shift in the 39-year-old's numbers.

Acquiring Leiter provides the Marlins with a veteran lefty to pair with LHP Dontrelle Willis and a quality starter to team with RHP A.J. Burnett and RHP Josh Beckett at the top of their rotation. Given the deferred money and the likely tax-deductible charity contribution, Leiter appears less expensive than the majority of the top starting options available on the free agent market this off-season. He did not require Florida to make a long-term commitment, and by signing him, the Marlins removed an asset from one of their primary competitors, since he most likely would have re-signed with the Mets if he did not work out a deal with Florida.

On December 10th, the Marlins signed two relievers, inking RHP Antonio Alfonseca to a two-year, $4.75M contract while RHP Todd Jones agreed to a one-year, $1.1M deal. Florida plans for Alfonseca to compete with RHP Guillermo Mota for their closer's job. Due to his less than optimal walk rate, Alfonseca needs the kind of defensive support the Marlins can provide. In 2004, the 32-year-old demonstrated the extent of his effectiveness under the right circumstances. Unfortunately, while I believe both Alfonseca and Mota possess the skills to close if backed by the confidence of their organization, I am concerned that by pitting them against one another, Florida will undermine both. Although Jones also flirts with an inflated walk rate, the 36-year-old adds meat to the middle innings for the Marlins.

IF-R Damion Easley signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Marlins in late November. The deal provides Easley with the opportunity to earn an additional $100,000 in bonuses. Florida plans for Easley to resume the utility role he played in the infield last season. Easley possesses decent plate discipline, solid power, and useful speed. Injury problems undermined his productivity after he signed his big contract with Detroit, but the 35-year-old's skills make him a useful bench player. He might even perform adequately if injuries create the need for him to take on a larger role.

Regardless of who Florida adds to round off their rotation, the Marlins definitely need to scour the free agent pool for AAAA starters who they can sign to minor league deals and call up as injury replacements. Already this off-season, Florida has signed RHP Frank Castillo, RHP Bryan Corey, LHP Jim Crowell, RHP Bart Miadich, RHP Travis Smith, 1B-L Larry Barnes, and OF-R Mark Little.

Castillo spent last season with AAA Pawtucket in the International League, where the 35-year-old compiled a 123:34 K:BB with 169 H and 28 HR allowed in 168.1 IP for a 4.38 ERA over 27 appearances, including 25 starts. He's exactly the kind of pitcher Florida should collect this off-season to guard against rotation holes next season.

Corey began last season with the Cubs' AAA affiliate before signing a deal to play in Japan. The 31-year-old's skills are less solid than Castillo's, but he provides the Marlins with another layer of depth.

With the exception of a sojourn to the majors in May, Crowell spent 2004 with Philadelphia's AAA IL affiliate. The 30-year-old compiled a 44:14 K:BB with 61 H and 6 HR allowed in 63.2 IP for a 2.40 ERA over 46 appearances at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Unless Florida invests in a couple of lefty relievers over the winter, Crowell deservingly could win a steady job in the Marlins bullpen with a solid spring training performance.

When San Diego released Miadich from AAA Portland in late June, he signed a minor league deal with Texas and played out the remainder of the season with AAA Oklahoma. Despite posting impressive strikeout rates, the 28-year-old needs to improve his control before he'll receive consideration for a steady major league position. However, Florida might call him up for a few games in 2005 if the team needs fresh arm and he's performing acceptably at AAA.

During his time in the majors with the Braves in 2004, Smith compiled a 26:12 K:BB with 48 H and 12 HR allowed in 40.2 IP for a 6.20 ERA over 16 appearances including 4 starts. The 32-year-old fared much better over the starts than in his few relief appearances, though he also sported a large platoon split that indicates he likely should not face right-handers when relieving. While at AAA Richmond, he compiled a 93:26 K:BB with 98 H and 6 HR allowed in 107.2 IP for a 2.59 ERA over 20 appearances including 19 starts. Smith and Castillo represent a solid start to the Marlins' quest to obtain injury insurance for their rotation.

Anaheim signed Barnes as a non-drafted free agent out of Fresno State University. He worked his way through their system, hitting AAA in 2000. When over the next four years first the Angels and then the Dodgers overlooked him for any substantial major league position, Barnes went to Japan last season. Unfortunately, as a 30-year-old first baseman with only modest plate discipline and power skills, he offers teams little incentive to include him on their major league bench.

Outside of the month he manned the Indians' bench, Little spent 2004 at AAA Buffalo. He possesses decent plate discipline and substantial power, which should give him a solid shot at winning a reserve outfield job with Florida.