Enemy Lines

an opposing team's scout sizes up the Marlins

"They'll compete for the wild card, and with their starting pitching I'd never count them out. If A.J. Burnett comes back and pitches the way he did two years ago, watch out. [Josh] Beckett is looking confident; he's going To win 15 to 20 games. Carl Pavano has turned the corner, and he's a really good middle-of-the-rotation starter. Dontrelle Willis worries me because he took such a heavy load as a young guy....

They'll definitely miss Derrek Lee. I'm not sold on Hee Seop Choi, who has a long, looping swing with a lot of holes. He's also got fading opposite-gap power that won't play well in [the deep gaps in Pro Player Stadium]. When it's all said and done, Wil Cordero will be the guy at first base because he can hit....

The lineup is definitely weaker without Lee and Pudge Rodriguez, but [ Rodriguez's successor] Ramon Castro has raw power and tremendous arm strength. He could turn out to be a real pleasant surprise for them....

The bullpen is worse with Armando Benitez, who has been so shaky over the last year and a half."