Baseball

In addition, while Ramirez is the godfather to Reyes' daughter, Spencer hears that "they aren't the friends many portray." Ramirez will probably need to change positions in a few years, regardless of whether the Marlins sign Reyes, but they risk making him very unhappy and perhaps demand a trade.

"The shoulder feels great," Johnson told MLB.com's Joe Frisaro this weekend. "I haven't felt anything in a long time." He'll have to make it through the throwing program without setbacks to generate confidence that everything with his shoulder is back to normal, but for now the 27-year-old ace is on track for the start of spring training.

Jones, 25, posted a 3.63 ERA and 54/26 K/BB ratio over 62 innings this year at the Triple-A level. He was a supplemental first-round pick of the Braves back in '05.

The Marlins have made Jose Reyes the centerpiece of their offseason plans, which means a position change could be in the offing for Ramirez. While some have speculated that he would be a better fit in center field, he would most likely shift over to third base. Of course, this is all just hypothetical right now.

Ramirez, who is recovering from an "open repair" of his left shoulder, has been conditioning and training in South Florida, doing lots of range of motion and strength training. "I'm lifting, and working on my range of motion, and getting stronger," Ramirez said. "That's the main thing. The surgery was good. No pain. Everything is going fine." The Marlins anticipate Ramirez being 100 percent for spring training.

The executive guessed that Morrison could be pried away for James Shields, but no one else. It's hard to believe LoMo would be totally off the table given the tension between he and Marlins management, but the team also probably realizes that trading him now would be selling low. Morrison could either stay in the outfield or move to first base in 2012, depending on the other moves the Marlins make.

Dominguez suffered the injury during infield drills Friday, but the good news is that X-rays came back negative and he should return to game action within the next few days. The 22-year-old is still considered the Marlins' third baseman of the future, but remains a work in progress at the plate.