With spring training a month away, Emilio Bonifacio has the inside edge to start in center field. But that's not set in stone.
The Marlins plan to pursue Yoenis Cespedes, the slugging center fielder who defected from Cuba last summer. Cespedes became a free agent on Jan. 25 but the Marlins have been watching him for a while.
Owner Jeffrey Loria led a contingent of team officials to the Dominican Republic in November to watch Cespedes in a private workout. Cespedes has worked out for other teams, too, so there's no guarantee the Marlins will get him.
"We really liked him when we saw him at that workout," baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said earlier this month.
"We were very impressed and, obviously as Cuban, I think he would be an interesting fit in this market, on this ballclub. It's something we continue to monitor and stay up on."
Even if the Marlins sign Cespedes, some in the organization believe he might have to start the season in the minor leagues. Cespedes recently batted .143 with a home run and 10 strikeouts in 35 at-bats in the Dominican Winter League.
The team envisions Bonifacio batting second behind Jose Reyes, giving the Marlins a speed threat they have lacked at the top of the batting order.
Bonifacio, 26, had the best season of his career in 2011, batting .296 with 167 hits and 40 stolen bases in 152 games.
