Claiming the N.L. Rookie of the Year on Monday certainly made Chris Coghlan a household name.

The third Marlin ever to capture the award, Coghlan's story is now well told. The 24-year-old entrenched himself as the leadoff batter, and he collected 113 hits since the All-Star Break, the most by any Major Leaguer.

Power certainly isn't a part of Coghlan's game, but there was a time when he did hit fourth. It was 2005 when he was still a studen at Ole Miss. In the Cape Cod Summer League, Coghlan found himself batting forth. The player hitting third that summer? Evan Longoria.

Yes, Coghlan and Longoria were teammates that summer. An opposing pitcher then was J.A. Happ of the Phillies. Happ finished second to Coghlan in the N.L. Rookie of the Year voting.

In September, I wrote about Coghlan's Cape Cod League experience.

-- Joe Frisaro

Dan Uggla is a two-time All-Star second baseman who has already placed his name in the record books.

By belting 31 homers in 2009, Uggla is the first player in MLB history to reach 30 homers in three straight years in which he played at least 100 games at second base.

With that kind of track record, Uggla sees himself as a second baseman. And he has little desire to switch positions, according to his agent, Jeff Borris.

Borris on Friday told Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown that his client wants to stay at second base.

"Danny Uggla's been a full-time second baseman for the last four years," Borris told Yahoo! Sports columnist. "He's performed exceptionally well at that position. Although he has the athleticism to play other positions, he's performed remarkably over these four years at second base and there should be no reason to consider a position change at this time."

In his second season of arbitration, Uggla's salary is slated to rise for the $5.35 million he made this year.

At this week's General Managers Meetings, the Marlins had conversations with several clubs about Uggla. The Giants reportedly would like to add Uggla and switch him to third base. The Red Sox would consider Uggla in left field. The Orioles also reportedly have interest.

The Nationals, too, are a team that could enter into the mix. So may the Diamondbacks, the team that drafted Uggla in 2001. Former Marlins third base coach, Bo Porter, has now joined the Arizona staff.

Uggla has 121 career home runs, and he is building his legacy at second base. He has not played any other position in the big leagues besides second.

-- Joe Frisaro

For the second straight year, Hanley Ramirez has captured the Silver Slugger Award for National League shortstops.

Ramirez won the N.L. batting title with a .342 average, and he drove in a career high 106 runs.

"I'm very happy about my award," Ramirez said on Friday. "I'm thankful to God and to my family for their support. The Marlins organization and my great teammates for their help in my getting this award. It's all a result of hard work and dedication, and I always strive to get better and to do what I can to help my team succeed."

Below is Ramirez receiving the 2008 Silver Slugger Award, presented to him by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Photo courtesy of Robert Vigon/Florida Marlins.

Working with a tight budget, the Marlins will have to make some tough choices regarding which of their arbitration-eligible players they will look to bring back.

In all, the team has 11 players from the 2009 roster in their arbitration years. The list includes a number of big names, including Josh Johnson, Dan Uggla, Ricky Nolasco and Jorge Cantu.

Not all are expected back, and already the Marlins have fielded inquires about Uggla and Cantu. Now, that doesn't mean the team couldn't one or both back.

The Marlins also are expected to make a push to signing Johnson to a multiyear contract.

Basically, players with three to six years of MLB service time are in their arbitration years. Once they reach six years, they can qualify for free agency.

Here's a look at the service time (years and days) of the Marlins up for arbitration:

Alfredo Amezaga, 5 years, 97 days

Jorge Cantu, 5.036

Josh Johnson, 4.026

Matt Lindstrom, 3.000

Ricky Nolasco, 3.142

Leo Nunez, 3.108

Ronny Paulino, 3.112

Renyel Pinto, 3.083

Cody Ross, 4.058

Anibal Sanchez, 3.099

Dan Uggla, 4.000

-- Joe Frisaro

Due for a hefty pay raise, it was expected that the Marlins would measure interest for two-time All-Star Dan Uggla.

On Wednesday, a few possibilities emerged.

According to FoxSports.com, the Giants and Orioles have expressed interest in Uggla. The Red Sox reportedly also may be an option.

The Giants, the report said, may consider Uggla as an option to play third base. The thinking is Pablo Sandoval would swift from third to first base. Uggla has exclusively played second base in the big leagues, although he had some work at third base in the Minor Leagues in 2005.

If Uggla, who will see his salary raise from $5.35 million to around $7 million, is dealt, the Marlins may be more inclined to keep Jorge Cantu, according to the FoxSports.com.

The Red Sox would consider Uggla as an option for left field.

Look for the Nationals also to show interest in Uggla.

-- Joe Frisaro

Cameron Maybin's shoulder surgery was a success.

The 22-year-old Marlins center fielder underwent surgery on Monday to repair a partially torn labrium in his left shoulder. Maybin is expected to be ready when Spring Training opens in February.

Maybin dealt with shoulder discomfort late in the season, but he played through.

After opening the season as the Marlins starting center fielder, Maybin was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans in May, shortly after Chris Coghlan was promoted.

Maybin received ample playing time in September, especially after Jeremy Hermida went down with a right oblique injury.

In September, Maybin batted .293 with eight doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

If Maybin isn't ready when Spring Training begins, Cody Ross again could assume the center field spot.

Although Ross is in his second season of arbitration, he is expected to return. Ross projects to play right field if Maybin wins the center field job.

-- Joe Frisaro
 

For years, the Marlins have shown they can remain competitive while spending carefully.

They will be continuing that trend in 2010.

Payroll for the upcoming season will be in the neighborhood of $36 million, or slightly lower.

In 2009, the Marlins finished second in the N.L. East, winning 87 games with a $36 million roster. So expect salaries to again to be in that range.

Hanley Ramirez will enter the second season of his six-year contract. The National League's batting champ will make $7 million in '10 after he just collected $5.5 million.

Because a number of key players are up for arbitration, player movement is inevitable. On Thursday, outfielder Jeremy Hermida was dealt to the Red Sox for two left-handed pitching prospects.

Hermida made $2.25 million in '09, and he will see his salary raise.

The General Managers' meetings begin on Monday, and the Marlins expect to be active in trade talks. 

Dan Uggla, who made $5.35 million this year, will likely see he salary raise to the $7 million range. Anticipate Uggla to attract plenty of trade interest.

Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million in '09) may also be shopped. Indications are Cody Ross will be back.

Look for the Marlins to allocate their dollars towards pitching. Josh Johnson ($1.4 million in '09) is expected to be offered a long term contract. However, preliminary discussions on a multiyear deal have not begun. They could get underway this week.

Johnson's 2010 salary, even if he signs a long-term contract, could be about $4 million.

Ricky Nolasco made $2.4 million this year, and likely is headed to a $3 million pay day.

The Marlins also will have to make decisions regarding relievers Leo Nunez, Renyel Pinto and Matt Lindstrom. All three are entering arbitration for the first time. All three could be targets to be moved.

-- Joe Frisaro

The Marlins have yet to make any formal announcement, but their coaching staff is just about set.

The new outfield/first base coach is expected to be Dave Collins, who played from 1975-90.

Florida's new pitching coach will be Randy St. Claire, formerly with the Nationals. The new infield/third base coach will be Josue Espada, the organizations Minor League infield coordinator. Reid Cornelius is lined up to be the bullpen coach. Cornelius was the pitching coach at Double-A Jacksonville.

Returning to the staff are bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault.

-- Joe Frisaro

If you're looking for a sleeper to emerge and be a big contributor for the 2010 Marlins, keep an eye on Gaby Sanchez.

Author and baseball stats expert Bill James certainly is.

In the recently-released Bill James Handbook 2010, Sanchez is projected to have a strong season.

"In any season, the vast majority of players play in a manner that seems a natural extension of what they had done before," James said in the book. "When that happens, our projection should be reasonably accurate."

Sanchez played mostly first base at Triple-A New Orleans this year, and he finished with a .289 batting average with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs. He appeared in 21 games with the Marlins, and had 21 at-bats with two home runs.

If the Marlins don't bring back Nick Johnson and Jorge Cantu, that would be a sign they are leaning toward either Sanchez or left-handed hitting Logan Morrison to win the first base job.

In James' book, he projects these numbers for Sanchez: .279 batting average, with 15 home runs and 59 RBIs.

James also has some forecasts for a few other Marlins. Here are some other projections:

* Hanley Ramirez: .315 average, 27 home runs, 86 RBIs, 117 runs scored, 31 stolen bases, .926 OPS
* Chris Coghlan: .310 average, 10 HRs, 66 RBIs, 92 runs, 20 steals, .840 OPS
* Dan Uggla: .252 average, 30 HRs, 90 RBIs, 97 runs, three steals, .815 OPS
* Cody Ross: .269 average, 23 HRs, 80 RBIs, 70 runs, five steals, .801 OPS

-- Joe Frisaro

The Rays are shopping Akinori Iwamura.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bay faces a deadline to avoid picking up a $4.85 million option for the 30-year-old second baseman.

The Times, citing an industry source, said the Rays are weighing trade options. But the potential suitor is not the Cubs or Dodgers, two teams that have reportedly been linked to Iwamura.

Would the Marlins have interest? Indications are, yes, but the team wouldn't take on $4.85 million.

As part of Iwamura's contract, the Rays have until one day after the World Series ends to pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout, which would make Iwamura a free agent.

Iwamura batted .290 in an injury-plagued 2009. A severe knee injury limited him to 69 games and 231 at-bats this year. Since coming over from Japan, Iwamura has a career batting average of .281 in three seasons.

The Times added that the Rays may be trying to pull off a sign-and-trade deal.

The upcoming general managers meetings promise to be interesting, because that's when trade talks really heat up.

The Marlins are expected to deal Dan Uggla this offseason. If they could secure someone like Iwamura, it would increase the likelihood of Chris Coghlan staying in left field.

-- Joe Frisaro