VIERA, Fla. - Florida Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs agrees with Jimmy Rollins.
"The Phillies are the team to beat," he said, sizing up the National League East one recent day. "They've got a nice starting rotation, and they can slug it. The Mets will swing the bats, but I don't think they have the pitching depth. The Braves are solid as usual. But the Phillies have the pitching and the lineup."
Despite his praise for the Phillies, Jacobs wouldn't count out his own team.
And he shouldn't.
The Marlins were supposed to be seen and not heard from in 2006. They had sharply reduced their payroll before the season and suited up 22 rookies. Prognosticators called for a 100-loss season.
Instead, the Marlins went 78-84 and remained in the wild-card picture until the final weeks of the season. All those youngsters are a year more experienced now.
"If our pitching holds up, I don't see any reason why we can't contend," Jacobs said.
Pitching was the most impressive aspect of the Marlins last season. Rookies Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco all emerged to win double-digit games behind ace Dontrelle Willis.
All five are back this season, though Johnson will miss at least the first month with a nerve problem in his elbow.
Pitching wasn't the only reason for the Marlins' success last season.
Emerging superstar third baseman Miguel Cabrera hit .339 with 26 homers and 114 RBIs, and shortstop Hanley Ramirez was the NL rookie of the year.
But there was more to the Marlins' surprise season.
Despite a rookie-laden roster and a rebuilding theme, rookie manager Joe Girardi stressed that results mattered.
"From the beginning, he said we were here to win, not just to develop," Jacobs said. "Once we got over the initial shock of all being young and in the big leagues, we just tried to win games."
With the benefit of Girardi's prodding, the Marlins rebounded from an 11-31 start and got to two games over .500 with a win over the Mets on Sept. 11. The Marlins were the first team ever to reach .500 after falling 20 games under.
For all this, Girardi was voted NL manager of the year - and fired.
Seems Girardi did not get along well with his bosses. He'll manage again someday; it just won't be this year with the Marlins.
