For about a week and a half, the Marlins had been in ongoing discussions with the Royals regarding a deal of first baseman Mike Jacobs for a relief pitcher.

In their first step in remolding their roster, the Marlins on Thursday afternoon traded off power for pitching.

Jacobs, who hit 32 home runs and drove in 93 runs this past season, was dealt to the Royals for right-handed reliever Leo Nunez, a 25-year-old who has a mid-90s fastball.

"Really, we were trading from an area of depth to an area that we wanted to create more depth in," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said.

Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Jacobs' salary projects to rise from $395,000 to about $3.5 million. The left-handed-hitting first baseman was celebrating his 28th birthday on the day he was traded for the second time in his career.

"It's been one of those hectic days," Jacobs said in an interview from his home in San Diego. "Not only is it my birthday, but I'm getting calls for that, and people hearing the news."

The Marlins acquired Jacobs from the Mets on Thanksgiving night of 2005 as part of the Carlos Delgado trade.

Power was the staple for the Marlins the past few years. In 2008, the club set a franchise record with 208 home runs. Yet, with the power came strikeouts. Jacobs, who batted .247 with a .299 on-base percentage in '08, struck out 119 times in 477 at-bats.

"I still truly believe that I'm not a .240 hitter in the big leagues," Jacobs said. "I think the power numbers are going to stay there. I think the RBI numbers will stay there, if not be higher. The biggest thing I need to work on this [upcoming] year is being more of a complete hitter. Being able to go the other way more. Being able to not stay in a slump quite as long."

As a team, the Marlins struck out a Major League most 1,371 times.

"Ultimately, with the new look, whoever it is at first base, you might have to trade off a little bit of the power, but you may be looking at fewer strikeouts and possibly a higher on-base [percentage], which could lead to more run production in a different way than the home run," said Beinfest, who praised Jacobs for his production and hard work in three seasons in Florida.

Dealing Jacobs removes a left-handed power bat from the roster. The Marlins' options at first base now are to either switch Jorge Cantu to first base or go with Double-A first baseman Gaby Sanchez, a 25-year-old who batted .314 with 17 home runs and 92 RBIs with the Carolina Mudcats.

Sanchez, a Miami native who attended the University of Miami, appeared in five games for the Marlins as a September callup. He had three hits in eight at-bats.

If Cantu, who played first base as a defensive replacement for Jacobs in the late innings, is moved to first base, veteran Wes Helms and Dallas McPherson could split time at third base. McPherson also can play first base.

McPherson, who broke in with the Angels before experiencing back problems, enjoyed a healthy season at Triple-A Albuquerque. He batted .275, and his 42 home runs were the most in the Minor Leagues -- at any level -- this past season.

Because all four third base options also can play first base, Beinfest noted the organization has depth at that position. The organization also is high on prospect Logan Morrison, who projects to move up to Double-A Jacksonville next season. Morrison is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League.

While Cantu, McPherson and versatile Alfredo Amezaga all are arbitration-eligible, the team is expected to sign all three.

Jacobs appreciated his time with the Marlins, and he welcomes a new start in Kansas City.

"We grew up together, me and those guys," said Jacobs, who in 2006 was one of more than 20 rookies to see action for the Marlins that year. "I think that is something you are not going to see, maybe ever again, the amount of young guys who came in and played right away. We were able to play together for three years. I wish them nothing but luck. I'm going to miss all the boys over there. We were like a brotherhood over there."

Jacobs also thinks he will see time as a designated hitter in the American League.

"I've got to assume that is going to be part of the plan too, to DH," Jacobs said. "I'm looking forward to that. Playing in the Minor Leagues, you obviously DH a lot. It's something I'm comfortable with. I think it is something that suits me just well. I still haven't gotten my 600 plate appearances yet. Hopefully, I'll get them this year."

Money also played a part in Thursday's trade. The Marlins are expected to have a payroll between $30-35 million.

"We wanted to make sure our allocation of our payroll is distributed correctly in the areas that it needs to be in order to be as competitive as possible," Beinfest said.

As for the makeup of the ballclub, the Marlins are hoping to return to more of a pitching, defense and speed formula -- the trademark of their 2003 World Series championship squad.

"We want to get back to our pitching and defense model," Beinfest said. "We want to improve the defense. We think the pitching is, right now, on paper, a strength of this team. The starting pitching ... it's a lot different than it was a year ago. We will enter '09 with a much different feel and confidence in our starting pitching. We want to make sure our bullpen is strong. We just need to catch the ball better."

Jacobs was part of history for Florida this season. The Marlins became the first team in Major League history to have four infielders each connect on 25 or more home runs. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez had 33, while Jacobs and second baseman Dan Uggla each finished with 32. Cantu delivered 29.

It's been the team's philosophy in any trade to try to return pitching. This deal was no exception. For their power-hitting first baseman, the Marlins are bringing in Nunez, who would factor into the back end of the bullpen.

The 25-year-old Nunez, not yet in his arbitration years, finished with a 4-1 record and a 2.98 ERA in 45 games for the Royals this past season. He threw 48 1/3 innings, striking out 26 while walking 15.

Beinfest said the Marlins have had interest in Nunez for a couple of seasons.

"We weren't able to get our hands on him," Beinfest said of previous attempts to acquire the right-hander. "We think he can pitch later in the game for us. The seventh inning or later."

Nunez broke in with the Royals in 2005, and he has appeared in 106 games. His career record is 9-7 with a 4.92 ERA. A native of the Dominican Republic, he adds big league experience to the bullpen. Some feel he could eventually get a chance to close.

The past two seasons, Kevin Gregg has handled Florida's closing role, compiling 29 saves in 38 chances in '08. In '07, he converted 32 of 36 opportunities. But Gregg, who is eligible for free agency after the 2009 season, made $2.5 million this past year. The Marlins, according to sources, are actively shopping him.

Gregg was bothered by a left knee injury late in the year, and Matt Lindstrom took over, going 5-for-5 in save chances in September.

Lindstrom, barring any moves for an established closer, will head into Spring Training as the front-runner to secure the job. Lindstrom is the hardest-throwing pitcher on the staff, boasting a fastball that ranges from 96-100 mph. Nunez has reached 96 mph.

Asked if closing could be in Nunez's future, Beinfest added: "We feel the velocity is there. You never really know anybody until you are with him every day. In terms of the velocity and the stuff, I don't see why that couldn't be an option. We'll get him into camp, get him into a Marlins uniform and go from there."