MLB.com's Joe Frisaro has a host of Marlins-related news as the team draws ever closer to its brand new stadium in 2012:
- It appears unlikely that Jack McKeon will again manage the Marlins in 2012. McKeon, 80, would be 81 next season and is likely to return to the advisor position he held from 2005 until taking the reins this year. Ozzie Guillen and Bobby Valentine are again listed as possible managerial replacements.
- With a new stadium on the horizon, owner Jeffrey Loria is ready to "do what it takes" to upgrade the organization. The club's payroll in 2012 is expected to top $70MM and could go as high as $80MM.
- The Fish would like to re-sign both Greg Dobbs and Omar Infante for the 2012 season. The veteran infielders are both free agents, but neither should be overly costly given their modest production in 2011.
- Starting pitching is a priority for the Marlins this offseason, and they'd like to add at least one left-hander. A look at the free agent market shows that the two biggest names that fit the bill will be C.C. Sabathia (assuming he opts out of his current deal) and C.J. Wilson, though it's hard to see the Marlins spending that kind of money. Beyond that, names include Erik Bedard, Mark Buehrle, and Chris Capuano.
- The Marlins are expected to be busy on the trade front, with Chris Volstad being a possible piece to be dealt. The Marlins would be selling very low on the 2005 first rounder, but with a 5.05 ERA over his last 468 2/3 Major League innings, it's not hard to see why they'd prefer to deal him before he hits arbitration.
- Selling low won't be an approach the team takes toward Hanley Ramirez. One of the Marlins' top priorities is getting their superstar healthy for Opening Day, and they aren't looking to trade him.
Before anyone starts suggesting the Marlins trade Hanley — just stop. He’s signed for 3 more seasons at a reasonable salary and he’s a superstar, worth $25 to $35 million a season in his prime. Please save us all and don’t suggest he should go to the Yankees, Red Sox, or anywhere else. Thank you.
He should go to the Yankees
Tad late on Ramirez to Boston anyway. They finally have at least a league average guy right now with Lowrie and eventually Iglesias on the way sometime with a few other prospects lower down who might blossom.
Ramirez was a pipe dream for Boston a couple years ago, but that is history now.
As for Loria ever spending 80m on a payroll and the Fish pumping up how good that new stadium is going to be continually for attendance.. yeah.. Flashy stadiums last 1-2 seasons, Miami has never drawn before and see no reason to start drawing now past the 1st season for this newest pipe dream of Loria’s
Hanley Ramirez for Ian Desmond
Nobody is worth 35 million.
I just don’t get a CC to Marlins rumor, and I doubt he’d take a pay cut to somewhere that can’t promise him a championship and/or is close to his original home on the West Coast. I’d see a whole different list of potential teams than the Marlins.
“close to his original home on the West Coast”
really? didn’t realize that New York was near the west coast.
Understandable if McKeon decides to call it a career after this season. Still it’s nice to see him suit up and take the helm one last time.
pujols, c.j wilson, and carlos zambrano will be marlins in 2012
Not with Epstein back in command as you are probably know. he was away in a FO power struggle when that deal was made and went on record as would have never made that deal. Not to mention…
Boston won a WS in 2007 with Beckett and Lowel they would probably not have and Beckett is stil a #1-2 on one of the best teams in baseball, 6 years later..
Hard to argue with that deal either away. Especially seeing how the immaturity of Ramirez has never out left and this season, his bat has left him.
hopefully for just a season and not a downward trend, but it does hurt his trade value even if Loria *did* want to move him.