In their pursuit of their fifth straight championship in the Spanish Division de Honor, the MARLINS PUERTO CRUZ can rely on most of their roster of last season. Only catcher Dewis Navarro (DANESI NETTUNO), who batted .339 (OBP .417/SLG .446) and Ricardo Rodriguez (unknown, .269/.363/.423) have left the team.
President Don Luis Dominguez was able to maintain Nestor Perez (.333/.403/.386) as head coach and starting shortstop according to an article on the team website. Their number one starter Leslie Nacar (10-1, ERA 1.00, 90 IP, 88 SO, 11 BB) and offensive force Richard Montiel (.373/.414/.619) were the first to report to practice. Jose Luis Salazar (.318/.358/.380) is going to take over most of the workload behind the plate as replacement of Navarro.
In addition their second major starter Ivan Granados (12-2, ERA 1.89, 119 IP, 116 SO, 54 BB), second baseman Daniel Sanchez (.269/.340/.323) and center fielder Daniel Martinez (.315/.379/.423) will remain with the club, after rumors at the beginning of the offseason said that the three might leave. Juan Carlos Macias (.245/.305/.340), who strengthened the roster at mid-season last year, will also stay.
The MARLINS will start into the Spanish season on the weekend of March 14 and 15. This will also mean that they get a head start into the new year in difference to their opponents at the European Cup in Nettuno, which takes place from March 31st to April 4th.