Word around the Marlins is significant offseason changes are likely coming, with some familiar faces to be jettisoned.

With Florida expected to keep payroll around $37 million barring a surprising change in approach, the Marlins plan to dump Jeremy Hermida; believe they probably cannot afford Dan Uggla (though owner Jeffrey Loria likes him a lot, as one player said); and likely will not re-sign Nick Johnson unless he settles for a deal well below market value.

There's also talk from Marlins people that the team might not be able to afford Jorge Cantu, but that's in question. Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Uggla, Cantu, Cody Ross and Hermida headline the list of arbitration-eligible Marlins players. Some scuttlebutt:

• There are mixed feelings internally about whether to move Chris Coghlan to second (if Uggla is dealt) or whether to keep him in left field. Some Marlins people have concerns about his defensive ability at second, where he played in the minors. The Marlins do not believe Coghlan would be a good fit at third base. ``Left field could be his best position -- he has taken to it,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Marlins would consider using Emilio Bonifacio at second base if Uggla is dealt. Bonifacio said second is his best position, but the Marlins must decide if he's good enough offensively to start. They also could trade for a cheap second baseman.

• If Nick Johnson and/or Cantu aren't retained, the Marlins will give a long spring look to top first-base prospect Logan Morrison, who also can play left field. Gaby Sanchez is another option at first. If Cantu is traded, third-base options would include Wes Helms (will make $950,000 in 2010), Bonifacio (been there, done that) or a prospect acquired for Uggla or Cantu.

• The Marlins could keep Cantu and stay slightly above this year's payroll if: they trade Uggla and Hermida; do not re-sign their top four potential free agents (Nick Johnson, Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, Ross Gload); do not tender Alfredo Amezaga; and add nobody making more than $400,000 or so.

• With a need for outfielders, there's internal support for keeping Ross, who could make $5 million. Cantu could make $6 million and Uggla $7 million.

• If Coghlan stays in left, the rest of the outfield figures to be Cameron Maybin in center and Ross in right. Maybin has hit .265 since returning from Triple A. Top prospect Mike Stanton might be ready by next summer or 2011.

• There's a good chance the 2010 rotation will come from the current group of starters -- Josh Johnson, Nolasco and five others competing for three spots (Chris Volstad, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller, Sean West and Rick VandenHurk).

• Gonzalez ``will wait until next year'' to decide whether Leo Nuñez or Matt Lindstrom will be the closer. ``Both can do it,'' he said.

CHATTER

• The Dolphins' trade for Kansas City's Tyler Thigpen -- who will back up Chad Henne -- drew positive reaction from evaluators. ``Heck of a move,'' said ex-Browns scout Matt Williamson of ESPN's Scouts Inc. ``He can ignite your team off the bench, make plays with his feet. The arrow is going up. Adequate arm, not great.'' Thigpen led all NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards in 2008 (386, 6.2 average) but was 27th among starters in QB rating (76.0) and 30th in completion percentage (54.8).

Former Raiders personnel executive Mike Lombardi of Showtime said Thigpen is a ``really good backup'' but added it's a concern that he usually has been in the shotgun, because he must prove he can play well under center.

• Linebacker Matt Roth (groin) said he isn't sure if he will be ready to play when he's eligible to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list after the Dolphins' fifth game.

• Like last year, UM's Graig Cooper is averaging more yards per carry than Javarris James (5.1 to 3.7), but coach Randy Shannon blamed the blocking and said James is running well. And James -- who has four more carries than Cooper -- is UM's best back in pass protection. . . . With fullback Patrick Hill (a good blocker) injured, word is UM is experimenting with freshman running back Mike James at fullback. . . .

Linebacker Sean Spence has fallen off a bit after a great freshman season -- ``I can do a lot better,'' he said -- but Shannon said the only difference is ``he's not getting big hits.'' . . . Because UM is deep at receiver, Davon Johnson -- who played in 11 games in 2008 -- is expected to redshirt barring injuries to others.

• With Heat training camp opening Tuesday, Jermaine O'Neal said he has regained the skills that had been diminished by knee problems. ``I haven't been me for three years. What I averaged last year [13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds] isn't respectable. Respectable, to me, is dominating'' and seeing opponents ``fearful'' of him.

O'Neal, 30, worked five hours a day, for eight weeks, with noted trainer Tim Grover, and was joined by Houston's Tracy McGrady and Washington's Gilbert Arenas. McGrady sent O'Neal this recent text message: ``Let's kill them this year!'' (Opponents, that is.)

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