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Albuquerque Isotopes manager Dean Treanor has learned not to fill in his daily lineup cards too early.

"I had to keep tearing it up," Treanor said.

That's because Albuquerque set records for player transactions in each of the past two seasons (183 last year). Treanor, who is entering his fifth season as Isotopes manager, expects the club to set a new mark in 2008.

It's what happens throughout an organization when the major league club — in this case the Florida Marlins — heads into spring training with so much youth and uncertainty on the field.

"It's a transition year for the Marlins," said Treanor during a meeting with local media Thursday morning. "The face of the organization is gone."

That face used to belong to pitcher Dontrelle Willis. He and former Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera were traded to Detroit in what might have been the biggest deal of the offseason.

In return the Marlins got younger and cheaper. By the time Opening Day rolls around only six players on Florida's 40-man roster will be 30 years old or older.

Many of these green yet talented players should rotate in and out of the Duke City during the season. Treanor expects it to be the youngest Isotopes team ever.

The good news: Local fans would seem to have a better chance than they've had in previous years to watch an All-Star in the making.

The bad news: Lack of team continuity could set the Isotopes for another rollercoaster season.

"When we've made our runs in seasons past and even last year, you have that club that's together," Treanor said. "It's not an excuse, but it's going to effect you. With that many roster moves there is no continuity. You just have to adjust and hope somebody steps up."

Offensively, that shouldn't be a problem. Even though sluggers Val Pascucci (signed with Philadelphia) and Scott Seabol (playing in Japan) have left, runs have never been a rarity at Isotopes Park.

Pitching is another story.

Last year, the Albuquerque pitching staff set club records for hits allowed (1,409), walks issued (516) and fewest strikeouts (835).

Treanor has reason to believe that can change — perhaps for the first time in the team's short history.

He said Thursday that Marlins brass has grown more willing to send top prospects to Albuquerque. Willis, for example, bypassed the Duke City when he came up, going from Double-A Carolina to Florida. Treanor said the Isotopes could have as many as eight pitchers all together from the Marlins' 40-man roster this season.

"That would be the most we've ever had in Albuquerque," Treanor said.

Opening line: Thursday was Valentine's Day and a day after the Roger Clemens hearing in Washington. After acknowledging his girlfriend, Treanor couldn't resist a joke.

"She injected me with B-12 this morning," he said. "So I'm feeling pretty good."