Notes: Third base will stretch Cabrera

02/25/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Switching back to third base will also be a conditioning transition for Miguel Cabrera.
After being used primarily in the outfield the past three seasons, Cabrera has new fielding challenges now that he's back at third base.
Marlins manager Joe Girardi points out that there is more bending at third and often more action.
Cabrera has always been a solid fielding third baseman, but now he's adapting to doing it on a full-time basis.
"Everything I heard about him playing third base is positive," Girardi said. "It may take him time to get back into third-base shape. There's a lot of bending and more ground balls. You can come into camp in shape, but it's not the same as game shape.
"I used to always come into camp in shape, but it wasn't catching shape. He just has to get his body in shape. We'll take it slowly. The one thing you don't want to do with Miguel is abuse him in Spring Training, because he's going to play the entire season."
Eager for the Classic: When baseball union chief Donald Fehr was in Jupiter on Thursday, he was asked about the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The Marlins will be represented in the tournament by Dontrelle Willis for the United States and Cabrera for Venezuela.
"Obviously, I'm very curious to see how it plays out," Fehr said. "Whenever you start something new like this, you never know what it's going to be like. You know a that whole bunch of things are going to happen that nobody thought about, and they're going to happen in a different way than anybody thought about. But you don't know what they are."
Fehr thinks the Classic will be successful.
"First of all, I think it's going to be a very good tournament," he said. "People are going to like it. I'll be surprised if the players don't really like it. ... It could really be the start of something interesting. We've had a truckload of requests for press credentials, [numbering] in the thousands. It's really great."
One of the drawbacks for the tournament is the fear of injury.
"There is that. And the timing issue is the single most difficult one that there is," Fehr said. "The way we got to this time period is by considering all the other ones and deciding they all had bigger problems than this one did."
As for potential injuries, Fehr added, "You worry about it, but on the other hand, these guys are professionals. The trainers are professionals. We've asked for camps to open a little early. And we have pitch-count limits. I'll be surprised if the likelihood of injury is any greater than it is at any other time. But we'll see."
Looking up to Pokey: It hasn't taken long for players to notice the swift fielding skills of Pokey Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winner.
The 32-year-old is in the mix to be the starting second baseman, but he also can play shortstop.
"I think guys will look up to Pokey," Girardi said. "I know I like to watch him play. Guys will learn by watching him."
The Marlins plan on giving Dan Uggla a strong look at winning the starting second-base job. As a Rule 5 Draft pickup, Uggla has to make the Opening Day roster or he will be returned to the Diamondbacks.
Thus far, Uggla has been going through drills at second base, along with Reese.
Rainy Saturday: Sporadic rain caused some alterations in Saturday's practice schedule. Still, the club was able to get its work done.
The players were on the back fields when rain forced some groups to go into the batting cages, where pitchers were able to throw bullpen sessions and hitters were able to take batting practice.
"I thought we had a very good day," Girardi said. "Pitchers were able to throw with hitters standing in."
Catcher Wilson signs: More catching depth was added on Saturday with the signing of catcher Tom Wilson to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training. By adding Wilson, the Marlins now have 59 players in camp.

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/