Originally Posted by MLB.com

JUPITER, Fla. -- Out of the big leagues a year ago, Alex Sanchez is attempting to seize a chance to once again become a regular.

Signed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to camp, Sanchez is among the front-runners to win the Marlins' starting center-field job.

Sanchez last played in the Major Leagues with the Giants in 2005. He has a career .296 big-league average with 122 stolen bases in 427 career games.

"I have a big opportunity now to be the guy here, but I have to keep going and working hard and playing hard," said Sanchez, who played Minor League ball in 2006.

Sanchez is battling Reggie Abercrombie, Eric Reed and Cody Ross for the center-field opening. For now, Alfredo Amezaga, who played 78 games in the outfield last year, is being used mainly as a backup middle infielder.

Born in Cuba, Sanchez grew up in Miami, and he is pleased the Marlins are giving him another shot.

"I wanted to play here," he said. "I wanted to play for [manager] Fredi [Gonzalez], and I told him that I wanted to play for him. He gave me this opportunity here to win the job."

Now 30, Sanchez kept his skills refined playing for La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League. He batted .350 (48-for-137) with three home runs and 22 RBIs. He also saw some action for Mazatlan in the Mexican Winter League.

Gonzalez feels Sanchez can still contribute.

"I don't see any reason why he couldn't," Gonzalez said. "He looks great swinging. He's the same as I remember. I don't think he's a lost a step."

In 2004, Sanchez led the American League with 29 bunt singles.

He admits that it was tough not seeing any big-league time in 2006.

"The people closed the door a little bit for me," he said. "I tried to be positive, and right now I'm here. I have an opportunity.

"I think I can help this team a lot. I've got experience. I played five seasons in the Major Leagues. I had good numbers. I came in here to win. I want to help this team, and I want to say thank you to the people here for giving me this opportunity."