"The Marlins are close to relinquishing their toehold on the bottom-most rung of baseball's payroll ladder, conceding their title as king of the penny-pinchers.

Just since Thursday, the Marlins have put their bean counters into overdrive, drawing up contracts totaling no less than $26 million in new salary commitments for the 2010 season.

Barring any trades involving their priciest players, the Marlins will open the season with a total payroll of roughly $45 million -- the most since '05 and more than either the San Diego Padres or Pittsburgh Pirates are projected to shell out.

``It speaks volumes,'' said outfielder Cody Ross. ``It sends a message to the fans and sends a message to the players that they're serious.''

And Ross has a salary beef with the Marlins.

On Tuesday, the Marlins put the finishing touches on two more contracts, reaching agreements on one-year deals with third baseman Jorge Cantu for $6 million and late-inning reliever Leo Nuñez for $2 million.

Those agreements came one day after the Marlins wrapped up business with three other players due raises through salary arbitration: second baseman Dan Uggla ($7.8 million), starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez ($1.25 million),and left-handed reliever Renyel Pinto ($1.075 million)."