“When you go to a baseball game, you go with the intention of watching a pro team play, in the case of the Marlins you now go to watch a pro team play the Marlins. If the Marlins ever expect a fan base where they can make money, they will have to pay these players in order to attract fans. Really, who wants to watch a Minor League team play?”
Andrew makes some good points. They are many of the same points from the other e-mails I’ve received. Questions like, “why can’t we keep our players?” I think we all know the answer is simple: money. The Marlins don’t like to spend it, and they say they won’t begin to consider spending more money until the new stadium is finally built – if that ever happens. After all that said though, let me bring everyone back down from their anger by asking another simple question. What have the Fish really lost?
We begin with Mike Jacobs. He is an all-or-nothing 1st baseman who gets on base around 30% of the time. Yes, he hit over 30 homers last season, but the Fish have plenty of options in youngsters Gabby Sanchez and Dallas McPherson, while also being able to play Jorge Cantu there. I’ll take my chances with that trio over Jacobs. Next up we have Josh Willingham. He’s a great guy with a bad back, but is replaceable by Cody Ross, who might just be a better player. Scott Olsen is also gone. I know solid, young lefties don’t grow on trees, but Olsen was always a clubhouse headache. Don’t buy into his 2008 season. He is still the same Scott Olsen, and when things don’t go his way he snaps. The Marlins have plenty of solid arms in the projected rotation of Chris Volstad, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez. Andrew Miller takes over the lefty spot in that rotation. Couldn’t he be better than Olsen without the headaches? I think so. Finally we have Kevin Gregg. Fans were a little too tough on Gregg because of his struggles last season, but he was pretty good when healthy. That said, trading him opens the door for Matt Lindstrom to close, while Leo Nunez, who the Fish got in the Jacobs trade, will fill the 7th or 8th inning role.
Okay, so do you feel better? I know many of you still don’t, especially since more trades are probably on the horizon. Dan Uggla could go. Jeremy Hermida might not be back. Who knows what the next move will be for the Marlins. Still, please don’t act shocked by what’s happening. The Marlins do this every year and they will continue to do it. Once again, the Fish will have the lowest payroll in baseball, but somehow they will continue to contend. Remember, the Marlins have won 2 World Series titles in the last 12 years. Quick, name me how many other National League teams have won 2 championships in the last 25 years. That would be none, and we all know the Marlins haven’t even been around that long. My point is, something is working. That something is a good front office.
As I said in an earlier blog, Larry Beinfest has a plan. He always does. He is getting all this young talent, including players many of you have never heard of. Then again, did many of you really know much about Dontrelle Willis, Hanley Ramirez, Cameron Maybin or other players the Marlins have traded for throughout the years? Have faith in Beinfest and understand that the Marlins frugal ways will continue. Trust me, I am in no way writing this to defend what Jeffrey Loria is doing as Marlins owner. Anyone who watches Local 10 or has read this blog knows that I have been very critical of the team’s ownership throughout the years. I am talking strictly from a baseball standpoint and not business. This is the way the Marlins build a team, and so far, it’s worked pretty well in their short history.
