Infielder Chris Valaika and outfielder Chris Coghlan are in.
Wilson Valdez and Gorkys Hernandez are out.
As for the backup catcher, that position is yet to be determined.
The Marlins virtually set their roster today, barring more trades, and now all they need to do is chose between Kyle Skipworth and Koyie Hill – if no deal is made – as the backup catcher. Miami, though, is reportedly looking into adding Miguel Olivo, who was released by the Reds. Olivo played for the Marlins in 2006-07.
The Marlins are attempting to trade outfielder Hernandez, who is out of options, and will send infielder Valdez to Class AAA New Orleans.
Hernandez was acquired last summer in the trade that sent Gaby Sanchez to Pittsburgh. Valdez was signed last week after he was released by the Giants.
Larry Beinfest, the president of baseball operations, said the final roster decisions may not be made until Saturday. The Marlins play an exhibition game in New Orleans on Saturday against their Class AAA affiliate.
“Anything is possible,” Beinfest said. “This time of the year people’s needs change by the hour. You would think you are breaking camp you have a day off you go to New Orleans tomorrow and it’s calm. It’s weird how things come together late and right up to Sunday when you have to file the roster. I don’t know what will happen to him. We’re working on it.”
The roster is due Sunday at 3 p.m.
Valaika, 27, is one of several non-roster invitees who will make the team. He has played 33 big league games in majors in 2010 and 2011, all with the Reds.
“He plays with a lot of outward energy, he’s spunky and he’s a grinder,” Beinfest said. “You talk about utility guys, it’s a good trait. We always had an eye on him early because of the way he plays the game and we were waiting for the performance to catch up to the spunkiness and the grinding. He’s done a good job of late and he’s shown he plays all the positions.”
Beinfest did say that as of now veteran right-handed pitchers John Maine and Kevin Slowey are on the team, but that, too, could change if a trade is made. Maine is slated for long relief and Slowey as the fifth starter.
Beinfest labeled Coghlan as one of the “positives” coming out of camp. Coghlan, 27, has been up and down between the Marlins and minors after winning the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year.
“He looked comfortable at the plate,” Beinfest said. “I’m not sure we saw him confident and comfortable at the plate for a while. (Manager Mike Redmond) had a fresh look at him which is a good thing for a lot of these guys who came in with an opportunity to win a job. From Day 1 he’s looked good.
“We haven’t seen that in a while with Cogz.”
