Aribitration-eligible 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