Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - With the Florida Marlins still a few years away from getting their own stadium, fans shouldn't expect the club's payroll to increase anytime soon.

That doesn't mean they shouldn't expect their club to stop winning either.

Despite constantly turning their roster over to fit a small budget, the Marlins keep finding ways to stay competitive. Even though the club hasn't made the postseason since winning its second World Series title in 2003, it has kept things interesting in Miami, even if people aren't always watching.

Behind an offense that last year finished behind only Philadelphia in the National League in home runs and a young up-and-coming pitching staff, the Marlins finished third in the NL East and were seven games over .500 when all was said and done. That had Florida in the hunt until late in the season.

Sure, the usual changes came this offseason. Gone from last year are the club's closer, starting first baseman and outfielder, two starting pitchers and a key piece of the bullpen. But those subtractions are more of a sign of the club's depth than anything else. Of those above moves, only the bullpen will receive a boost from outside of the organization.

The rest of the roster will be filled with established starters such as Hanley Ramirez, Ricky Nolasco and Dan Uggla, while youngsters such as Chris Volstad, Cameron Maybin and Gaby Sanchez are ready to step up to the plate.

And until the Marlins get their new stadium, a process that has taken major steps this winter and spring in terms of approval and is slated to be a reality by 2012, only Ramirez appears to be in it for the long haul given the six-year, $70 million extension he received early last year.

But even with the changing faces, the Marlins find a way to win. And though the club hardly ever comes close to filling the 42,531-seat Dolphin Stadium, manager Fredi Gonzalez and the Fish are likely to try and grab Florida's attention again this summer.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2009 edition of the Florida Marlins, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2008 FINISH (84-77) - Third Place (NL East)

KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: RP Scott Proctor, RP Leo Nunez, RP Dan Meyer, RP Jose Ceda, INF Emilio Bonifacio

KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: 1B Mike Jacobs, SP Scott Olsen, OF Josh Willingham, RP Kevin Gregg, SP Mark Hendrickson, OF Luis Gonzalez, RP Joe Nelson, C Matt Treanor, RP Arthur Rhodes, RP Doug Waechter

PROJECTED LINEUP: Cameron Maybin (CF), John Baker (C), Hanley Ramirez (SS), Jorge Cantu (3B), Dan Uggla (2B), Cody Ross (RF), Jeremy Hermida (LF), Gaby Sanchez (1B)

PROJECTED ROTATION: Ricky Nolasco (RHP), Josh Johnson (RHP), Chris Volstad (RHP), Anibal Sanchez (RHP), Andrew Miller (LHP)

PROJECTED CLOSER: Matt Lindstrom (RHP)

MANAGER: Fredi Gonzalez

INFIELD

The face of the franchise, Ramirez is Florida's brightest star on the roster. The electric shortstop hit .301 with 33 homers, 67 runs batted in and 35 stolen bases last year in 153 games.

Even at such a young age, the 25-year-old Ramirez is ready to be the man for the Marlins. Usually a leadoff hitter due to his speed, the right-handed batter will drop to third this year in the lineup, where his speed will be less utilized but also where he can blast away on pitchers.

Ramirez, who is dealing with a sore right shoulder this spring, is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Though first baseman Mike Jacobs, who hit 32 homers last year, was traded to Kansas City this offseason, the Marlins are not short on power in the infield. Second baseman Dan Uggla, a 2008 All-Star, connected on 32 homers last season to go along with 92 RBI -- both career highs -- but hit just .226 in the second half and .260 for the season.

The corner spots are still a little undecided, but whether at first or third, Jorge Cantu will get to continue his resurgence. After fizzling out in Tampa and Cincinnati, Cantu hit .277 last season with a career-high 29 homers to go along with 95 RBI while playing mainly third base, though he did see time at first as well.

Cantu will open the season as the everyday third baseman if the rookie Sanchez wins a starting job with his bat at first. However, should Sanchez be beaten out by former Angel prospect Dallas McPherson or converted second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, Cantu would shift to first and McPherson or Bonifacio would man the hot corner.

McPherson missed all of 2007 due to a back injury and tore up Triple-A hitting last season, blasting 42 homers with in Triple-A. Sanchez, meanwhile, added 17 long balls and a .314 average in Double-A.

The Marlins had some interest in bringing back Ivan Rodriguez to catch this season, but he ultimately signed with Houston, leaving righty John Baker as the starter once Mike Rabelo was optioned. Baker hit .299 in 61 games with 32 RBI and 30 walks.

OUTFIELD

A key part of the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit prior to the 2008 season, Cameron Maybin will take over starting center field and leadoff duties this season.

The prospect, who turns 22 on April 4, brings a slick glove to the field and after failing to earn a roster spot last season, he hit .500 (16-for-32) with two RBI and four steals in eight September contests. That included four multi- hit games and a pair of four-hit contests.

With the trade of outfielder Josh Willingham to Washington this offseason, Jeremy Hermida will shift from right to left field. The left-handed hitter, who has played just four games in his career in left, hit just .249 last season after batting .296 in 2007 and he also fanned a career-high 138 times a season ago.

Cody Ross, meanwhile, takes over in right after playing the majority of his time last year in center. In his first season of extended playing time, Ross hit .260 but added 22 homers and 73 RBI.

STARTING ROTATION

Even with the trade of Scott Olsen, there is no question that the Marlins' strength is their pitching staff. Deep and young, Florida's hurlers appear to be healthy and ready to guide their club to the next step.

Ricky Nolasco is the club's ace and he combined with two relief pitchers in Spring Training to no-hit Detroit. The right-hander made just five outings in 2007 due to an elbow injury and won 15 games last year while pitching to a 3.52 earned run average. He also struck out 186 batters over 212 1/3 innings.

While Nolasco returned to form in '08 after injury, righties Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez will aim to make 2009 their comeback success stories. Johnson didn't make his debut last year until July 10 after missing time due to Tommy John surgery, but in 14 starts he posted a 7-1 record and 3.61 ERA.

Sanchez, meanwhile, has appeared in just 16 games over the last two seasons thanks to a shoulder ailment and he managed to go just 2-5 with a 5.57 ERA in 10 starts last season. However, he hopes to put his injury woes behind him and return to his rookie form of 2006, when he won 10 games and threw a no-hitter.

With the left-handed Olsen gone, the Marlins need Andrew Miller to progress as the rotation's lone southpaw this year. Also part of the trade with Detroit, Miller, who turns 24 in late May, struggled to a 6-10 mark and a 5.87 ERA in 29 outings last year.

BULLPEN

The Marlins decided to cash in on Kevin Gregg's 61 saves over the last two seasons by dealing him to Chicago for minor league pitcher Jose Ceda. Taking over the closer role is fire-baller Matt Lindstrom, who unleashes a fastball that holds steady in the upper 90's.

However, Lindstrom experienced some shoulder tightness while pitching in the World Baseball Classic and was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain, leaving his status for Opening Day in doubt.

That also holds true with free-agent signee Scott Proctor, who made 41 appearances with the Dodgers last year and posted a 6.05 ERA. Proctor was shut down during Spring Training as he continues to recover from offseason right elbow surgery and hopes to return in early May.

That will lead up to more early-season innings for righty Leo Nunez, who was acquired from the Royals for Jacobs. Nunez went 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 45 games last year.

Righty Logan Kensing is also in the bullpen, while Renyel Pinto, John Koronka and Dan Meyer battle for lefty spots. Burke Badenhop, Brian Sanches and Carlos Martinez could also serve as right-handed options.

BENCH

Alfredo Amezaga is a valuable man on Florida's bench, as he can play multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. However, he did suffer a sprained knee and might begin the season on the disabled list.

Wes Helms was brought back and can back up both corner positions, while the Cantu-Sancehz-McPherson-Bonifacio battle will extend to the bench as well.

Brett Carroll figures to also earn a backup outfield spot, while the right- handed hitting Ronny Paulino, acquired in late March, will serve as an experienced backup to Baker behind the plate.

OUTLOOK

If the Marlins were in any other division, they would be a trendy sleeper pick to make some noise. While a run at the wild card is not out of the realm of possibility, it is tough to see such a young club again challenge the Mets and Phillies, as well as the rebuilt Braves.

Still, Florida can use its youth as its advantage. If the rotation stays healthy and a couple of key guys bounce back from injury, the Marlins offense won't need to rely on the long ball as much since the rotation will likely be keeping teams off the scoreboard.

Whatever happens for the Marlins in 2009, fans can count on another exciting season in Miami. However, only another postseason berth will get them interested. That is a scenario that is a possibility.