The Book

an opposing team's scout sizes up the Marlins

"The Marlins will be much improved, but I don't think they can win more than 70 to 75 games....

I was surprised they let Antonio Alfonseca pitch winter ball—that's a lot of extra work for a guy you want closing every game. I wonder what his arm is going to be like by midseason....

Florida has some very good young pitchers. Brad Penny has an explosive fastball and a killer breaking ball, and he's an animal. I don't know if he's ready to win or not, but guys like Maddux and Smoltz and Avery took their lumps before winning. Penny is that good....

Righthander Ryan Dempster has slightly better than average stuff, but he shouldn't be a No. 2 starter....

It's sink or swim for Derrek Lee. Many of us are dubious about his future. He makes no adjustments on breaking balls, and he's passive at the plate. If the Marlins can deal him, they should do it while another team still sees an upside....

Mike Lowell, Preston Wilson and Cliff Floyd are all good young players with power."