I thought I had learned my lessons from before, and last season really drank the Florida Marlins' cool-aid. The lesson was that when it came to stars on the rise, it was easier to trade away and rebuild. With that in mind, it seemed as if last season was going to be the "third generation" of Marlins' final chance to claim a World Series title.

However, with a new stadium on the way, management surprised me in the offseason and a few of the players I was sure were on the way out, are back for another run at the postseason.

Of course, I should have seen it coming with the contract Florida signed with Hanley Ramirez -- a six year $70 million deal -- things were changing. Still, I did not think middle infield partner Dan Uggla was going to be back for another season, but the Fish shocked me once again and inked the second baseman to a one-year $7.8 million deal -- the third-largest deal in Marlins history for a single season.

Then there is the contract that pleased me the most, a four-year $39 million extension with ace Josh Johnson, and in baseball you cannot win without pitching. The new contract buys out Johnson's final two years of arbitration and his first two years of free agency. The 26-year-old righty will earn $3.75 million in 2010, $7.75 million in 2011 and $13.75 million in 2012 and 2013. The 2009 All-Star was 15-5 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 191 strikeouts last season.

Coming off his most productive season, Cody Ross was able to win his salary arbitration with the club and will earn $4.45 million this year -- the Marlins were offering $4.2.

So once again is it time to drink some of that Marlins' cool-aid? If Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan and Ricky Nolasco can repeat their second-half performances, Jorge Cantu can rebound from an injury and a few up and coming players break out and a core of returning players, the team has a legitimate shot at the playoffs.

However, all those pieces will have to come together for Florida if they are to make a postseason run, as the Philadelphia Phillies reloaded, the New York Mets healed and the Atlanta Braves added to what was nearly a playoff roster last season. With four contenders in a conference, the Marlins now have to put out what the front office has paid out. For the fans though, it is great to see the Marlins building a little tradition.

Staff Writer J.W. Cooke's Home Field Advantage column appears exclusively each Wednesday in The Citizen. He can be reached at 305-292-7777, Ext. 261, or at jwcooke@keysnews.com.