The Marlins will unveil their new uniforms and logos tonight, when they officially become the Miami Marlins. Here's the latest on the team, which has begun the offseason in style, courting several big-name free agents…
- The Marlins are serious about signing Albert Pujols and intend to make a competitive offer, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria covets Pujols and envisions him at first base in 2012, according to Spencer.
- The Marlins are meeting with Pujols and agent Dan Lozano today. You can read the details here.
- The Marlins like what they saw from Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes yesterday, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. "We think we're a great fit because we're Miami, and we're a natural destination for any Cuban player, any Latin player," Marlins president David Samson said. "We are the Gateway to the Americas. We're the Miami Marlins. I think that he agrees, but we have to make a deal that makes sense for both parties."
- The Marlins are more likely to sign Jose Reyes and Cespedes than Pujols, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro.
And we are to automatically assume that he will take the highest bid, no matter what other circumstances come into play?
I think it’s a pretty safe assumption all things being equal he’ll go back to the cardinals. My guess and it’s just a guess is that it will take 30 million more than the cardinals final offer to get this done.
Also note, while the Marlins had a pretty high payroll in 1997, the Cleveland Indians (the team they beat in the WS) still had a higher payroll. And for the first five years of the team’s existence, they had top 15 attendance- and while that’s not mind blowing it still should serve as proof that they can attract a significant amount more than they are doing currently.
That’s what makes this entire situation absurd to me, everything Pujols wanted in St. Louis, he was provided, when he was walked every time he came to the plate and his protection in the lineup was Ryan Ludwick, the Cardinals went out and got Matt Holliday, then signed him to a long term contract, they retrained Carpenter, Wainwright and Molina, and have filled in the holes when needed, winning 2 world series with only those 4 guys I mentioned and Skip Schumaker as the remaining players from 2006. Florida… I mean Miami has a short historic tradition of buying a World Series, hoping their fans will stick around, and then trading off all the pieces a year later when Miami proved it really didn’t care that much about Baseball after all. Where is the loyalty to the team that maxed out its payroll to protect him in the lineup and provide him with 2 world series rings, not to mention the fan base who represent a city with a metro area of less than 4 million people, putting 3 million fans in a stadium every season? If he takes his talents to south beach, just to feed his ego, he’s a thousand times worse than LaBron James.
Nobody will ever turn the Cubs around.
If they go out and get Pujols, what happens to Gabby Sanchez?
He’s as good as gone.
or third. because without reyes (can’t get both pujols and reyes), hanley stays at ss.
If they go out and get Pujols, what happens to Gabby Sanchez?
Couldn’t agree more. Although, I’m not sure if K-Rod is the right guy for the closer spot but I guess we could certainly to worse.
Its not so much the Marlins bought a World Series in 03′ its a matter of the fan base still showed no interest in baseball, and rather than keep the players that won that Championship, they traded them or didn’t sign them. Ivan Rodriguez and Derek Lee were both gone before 2004 started, and they didn’t invest in Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Brad Penny was traded the following season, Carl Pavano was gone a few seasons later as was A.J. Burnett who lasted until 2005. They never invested in the team, and always blamed it on their stadium, there is no tradition in Miami, just winning World Series and then getting rid of everybody rather than paying for them. Who are you going to have a poster of on your wall if your a kid in Miami? Who’s Jersey are you going to buy? When everytime you have a new favorite player, they are traded away for prospects. I don’t believe that just putting a new stadium in Miami is going to somehow create a fan base, Florida had 2 excellent baseball teams, filled with stars yet got rid of everybody after winning. Signing big name free agents, changing your team name and logo while moving into a new stadium assuming those variables will create a different result is taking a huge assumption based risk. But if your Albert Pujols, if you leave the greatest fan base in baseball that’s done nothing but support you for the last 11 years, for a team with a fan base that we assume will eventually show up cause of a new stadium and ugly new uniforms, just to make a few million more per season so you can say your the highest payed player in baseball, rather than just proving your the best player on the field, then you really are just a jerk.
Someone doesn’t want the King to leave
No, and to “Miami” of all places, they are a pitcher and a short stop away from a AAA team. There is NO reason for Pujols to leave unless he’s just interested in money.
Ay i agree with.. As an Angel fan I would love The King to stay in St.Louis.. and wouldnt want to see him anywhere else.. Good luck to you guys and hope he stays!
Did you seriously just write ” The Marlins’ll ” Lol
Back to the future Part II
i thought they were the florida marlins,did loria petition mlb for a name change? haha!