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I approve of the Marlins off-season

2011-02-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

The one thing the drove Marlins fans to the point of pulling hair is the bullpen. Most fans would say that if they had a good bullpen, the Marlins could be in the playoffs. Some fans don't understand how hard it is to put together a good bullpen. It's easy to get a good closer, but it's hard to put the rest of the bullpen together successfully. The Marlins found how expendable most of their players were. They added Webb, Dunn, Choate, and Mujica while kissing Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, and 1/2 Dan Uggla goodbye. Only time will tell if this bullpen makeover works.

Another thing that I approve of is the transition from a home run addict lineup to a more get on base and score runs type lineup. It took some time to realize that Omar Infante is a better fielder than Dan Uggla and has a better batting average both last year and in 2009.

Catcher John Buck doesn't mess around and getting him was a top notch baseball move. It's been a while since the Marlins have had a big time catcher like John Buck.

The best free agent acquisition this year had to be signing Javiar Vazquez. He sucks in New York but in the NL East, he will once again dominate. Look at what he did for Atlanta in 2009.

Anyone in South Florida excited for Opening Day?

Thanks Again Marlins

2010-08-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you again for getting rid of my favorite player on the team. I wasn't going to hold this regime to the mistakes of the past but now they are on the same level. Talk all you want about how the Marlins made $29 Mil last year and are only making 4 or 5 this year but I didn't know that this was simply a profit driven market. Call me naive or what you will but I genuinely thought that the millionaires and billionaires who bought sports franchises were actually doing so because they wanted to win at something they wished they were good at, not make more money to add to their already enormous stockpile of cash. Maybe if Loria wasn't as stupid as most fans, remember how great he thought this team was at the beginning of this year, he might have realized that this team as it stood before the season started is no where near being a contending team, let alone even making the playoffs and moves needed to be made.

Hey Loria, people are not saving their money now to spend on the Marlins once they get a new stadium. No, on the contrary, they are not going simply because you suck as a owner. When running any business. profits need to be a consideration, but when running a sports franchise and that is all you care about then you will not have the foresight to make the right moves to make a team better and subsequently your profits will dip. And here's a hint for you if you had forgotten, people don't pay to see crap. Not counting "Shutter Island", "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and the Yankees.

When people are mad they do things out of spite. For example the more a team losses the less people but their merchandise. Me, I stop showing up but when I do I don't buy anything from your monopolistic style food and beverage vendors. And don't give me any of that, "we don't control the vendor's prices". B.S. When you open the new ballpark you will do the same thing if not charge more.

$1.1 million, that's all we saved for getting rid of Cody Ross. I'm ashamed to be a fan of this team, it's not like we dumped a $15 million dollar contract, only $1 million one. I would like to apologize to Larry Beinfest and David Sampson, who have done amazing jobs over the years and in my opinion are two of the best baseball executives out there, even with the restrictions that have been put on them. I am sorry that you are having to toil away here under Jeffrey Loria's reign and that also goes to all the other great people wasting away in this franchise.

Steve Cochran II
8/23/10

Ease up on Freddy Gonzalez

2010-03-25T19:22:00.001-07:00

Can we please not criticize Freddy Gonzalez too much this year guys? I know everybody thinks that they could have done a better job or would’ve done a few things different, but guess what we can’t. Yeah, I included myself in that. I am always second guessing what is done, because I can. But what I won’t do though is criticize a GREAT manager.

I am not sure if South Florida fan knows this but I have an inside into Atl baseball fans mind and I’ll share with you exactly what they are thinking. You wanna know? Do yah? Guess What? They are salivating at the mouth for a chance at landing Freddy as the next manager to replace Bobby Cox. Freddy is of the Bobby Cox managing tree and would’ve already had the job in the Atl if it were not for the Joe Paterno of baseball managers.

What I hear from both sides of the fan spectrum is almost exactly the same. I attended a funeral back in Georgia and while listening to my relatives speak about their ball club at the reception I could’ve sworn I was driving around Ft. Liquerdale listening to our fans bash the manager on sports radio. To think, they act and talk as if Bobby is the reason they haven’t won more World Series titles. Shame on you Atl fan, the man is a hall of famer.

We have an excuse for complaining, does the term fire sale mean anything to you? We’ll be using that excuse any time we are questioned in loyalty. At least until we get our brand new 515 million dollar ballpark. Any word on the bidets yet?

While I’m on the topic of ballparks; would it be too much to ask for great food for a decent price? Seriously, I’m not just some idiot who doesn’t understand the finances. When it comes to food and the service industries just ask me and I’ll probably know the answer. Check it. Those 8 dollar Souvenir sodas are the worst. Total the soda in the cup maybe cost the stadium 15 cents. And the cup itself can’t be more than 60 cents. So if the total is absolutely no more than a dollar in cost how are they justifying an 800% increase? Whatever, I just want good food. Please make the food network wanna do a special on us. Then we’ll forget about the high prices and just enjoy ourselves.

All I am saying is that we complain way too much down here. Why must we constantly rip on everybody? Every single thing can’t be scrutinized so closely. Mistakes are going to happen no matter who is in charge of the team. Ease up off of Freddy before he’s gone and we start a new coach carousel.

Steve Cochran II

2009-10-25T15:48:00.001-07:00

Can the Marlins hang with the big boys of the National League East?

2009-05-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

By: Zachary Hoffmann

Coming into the 2009 season the question was, “do the Marlins even have a chance to compete?” With the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Atlanta Braves having payrolls of close to 100 million dollars or more, the Marlins were sitting at a little over 35 million dollars for the year, which is still over 20 million dollars less the Nationals. There was a lot of talk that a small market team like the Marlins didn’t stand a chance in the heavily upgraded National League East. The Mets added two premier closers into a bullpen that desperately needed it. The Atlanta Braves added three starting pitchers and a veteran left-handed hitting outfielder. The Philadelphia Phillies added another left-handed power bat into a World Champion lineup full of power. After a quiet offseason of signing players and letting go of three starting position players, two starting pitchers, and their closer it wasn’t looking too good for the Marlins.

Little did people know that the young core of the Marlins would in fact be able to hang with the powerhouse of the East. Beginning in 1991, the Braves won 14 straight division titles with great pitching. It seems like the Marlins took a page out of their book because they have a great young pitching staff. The rotation is led by co-aces Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson. Nolasco had a break out season last year where he posted a 3.52 ERA with a respectable 15 wins and 186 strikeouts. Johnson has been sidelined most of the past two seasons due to injury, but finished the 2008 season winning 7 of his 8 decisions. Following them is Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad, and Andrew Miller. Sanchez had a great rookie season but just can’t stay healthy enough to remain in the rotation. Volstad and Miller are both young with a lot of upside.

Although the strength of the young Marlins is their pitching, they also have a surprisingly powerful lineup. The lineup is anchored by Hanley Ramirez who is arguably the best all-around player in the game. The 40 homerun, 40 steals threat leads an offense that saw all four starting infielders hit at least 29 home runs in 2008. Protecting Ramirez in the lineup are two 25+ homeruns and 90+ RBI guys in Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu. Also, keep an eye on prized prospect Cameron Maybin on making a return to the big leagues after straightening things out in the Minors. With their power and their pitching this young roster should not only be able to hang but they should be able to make a run for the division title.

Wading in Distraction

2009-05-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

"We're putting in a pool!" exclaimed a bumbling Clark W. Griswold in the holiday fixture "Christmas Vacation". I wonder if Marlins president David Samson took any other cues from Chevy Chase's character in planning the new stadium in Miami- perhaps an exorbitant amount of twinkling Christmas lights?

In case you haven't heard, the Marlins new stadium is to include, among other pointless distractions, a swimming pool; not unlike the one so ridiculously placed beyond the right-field fence at Chase Field in Arizona, thus shaming the jacuzzi currently gracing Landshark Stadium (formerly Dolphins Stadium).

"The pool is going to be much bigger than our current hot tub," Samson said. "We think it's going to be the size of a pretty nice pool. I'd say Arizona is a good comparison." (quote from Joe Frisaro, MLB.com).

Well that's a relief. How do you expect a fan to enjoy a baseball game from a tiny hot tub?

Here's an idea- instead of trying to find creative and expensive ways to distract your fans, why not focus your efforts on building and maintaining a decent product on the field. It's a proven fact that fans love a winner, and have brought their money and attention to the ballpark when the Marlins have competed at high levels. How many times have Fish fans had to watch their favorite players move on to big -market teams because management claimed insufficient funds?

I understand that people have changed, and that their attention spans have narrowed considerably in recent years, making a 3-4 hour baseball game seem like an eternity. Is it so bad, though, that we need to float around in a public pool to enjoy it?

I guess I have more faith in the Marlins fans than management seems to. In my eyes, people will relate to continuity- having the same core players on the roster every year. When the team takes on the appearance of a revolving door, or a spring board for players to the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, and Red Sox, the fans tend to lose interest. When that happens, no 20 person maximum occupancy swimming pool decorated with "25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights" will bring them back. --Joel Galloway

Sanchez to the DL. Is it Pedro Time?

2009-05-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Marlins' pitching staff took a hit Friday, as the club placed RHP Anibal Sanchez on the 15 day disabled list. Sanchez will not throw a baseball for 3-4 weeks, according to Manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Get out your checkbook, Mr. Loria. I'll help you: in the section labeled "Pay to the Order of," write the name "Pedro Martinez". I think $5 million should cover it.

This is a no-brainer. In this year's World Baseball Classic, Martinez proved to everyone that he can still get Major League hitters out. Pitching for the Dominican Republic, Pedro allowed only 2 base runners in 6 IP while striking out 6. Unfortunately, his team was embarrassed by the surprise Netherlands squad, depriving Martinez of the chance to further impress Major League scouts. However, his performance left no doubt in my mind that the man still has "it".

Some will say that $5 million is a hefty price tag to a small market team for an aging veteran. True, but considering the massive Latin-American population of Miami and surrounding areas, the signing of a Dominican baseball icon could be an effective marketing tool for a team that needs the exposure (see Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles). The star power that Pedro brings would have a huge upside for a team full of no-name rookies and marginal veterans.

Sure, Martinez' stamina has been an issue as he has aged, and the Florida summer is not exactly the most revitalizing of climates. But consider this: when Sanchez returns to the rotation, Pedro can be used in a set-up role, or middle-relief with the occasional spot start. It's not like the current Marlins' relievers are doing any better than Martinez can. Through May 9th, Florida's bullpen had blown 4 of 10 save opportunities, while managing to post the 2nd best bullpen ERA in the National League. This shows that there's talent present, but a lack of big game experience- something Pedro has more of than perhaps anybody in the majors. Martinez would bring his veteran know-how and poise to the mix, giving the younger guys much needed leadership.

So, what's it going to be? Will the Marlins' front office step up to the plate and bring on the first-ballot Hall of Famer, or will they leave the checkbook in the desk drawer and bring up another Triple-A nobody to get knocked around the yard? --Joel Galloway

After Promising start, need to get back to basics....

2009-04-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

After getting swept in Pittsburgh at the beginning of last week, the Marlins still had their swagger since they were heading home to start a three game series against the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Fredi Gonzalez understands the 11-1 start was phenomenal, but not realistic.
The series started off exactly the way they intended when Josh Johnson gave them seven scoreless innings. However, the bullpen could not hold the lead late. Matt Lindstrom, the Marlins closer, could find the strike zone early in the ninth and then paid for it when Shane Victorino hit a grand slam that slammed the door on the fish. The Marlins lost 7-3.
Saturday night had the same feeling as Friday’s. Chris Volstad gave his team a great effort and a lead through seven innings. Again the bullpen let the lead slip away when Chase Utley hit a go ahead RBI single in the tenth inning.
The fish called upon the rookie Graham Taylor on Sunday to stop the bleeding. Unlike Friday and Saturday, the Phils got started early and went on to an easy 13-2 victory. Things have gotten so bad for the bullpen Cody Ross came in from right field and took over the pitching duties in the ninth inning. Amazingly, Cody was able to put in a scoreless inning. The fighting fish head to New York to take on the Mets starting Monday night.