The "real" FAN

A pitcher will be traded before the second game, but who? hmmmm :mischief2

direct tv just told me that the was going to be played on fox sports 635 or 634 for those in florida and yes net for those in ny

Listen, to me, Marrero and Drabek might be the two best players in the draft after Miller, Stubbs and Longoria but I doubt either fall to 19. Realisticly, Conger would be a smart pick if Drabek is gone, even if he is a bit of a reach. In a perfect world I'd want Drabek, realisticly though, I think we'll end up with someone like Brett Anderson or David Huff. hey parrot you sound an awful like the baseballamerica guy in his pre-draft column, but hey I guess you have to throw your two cents in even if it isn't yours. I'll throw my hat in the ring and say Drabek just because Mr. Know It All says he won't be there.

Is draft today or tomorrow???

Better Call Geico Triple-A Albuquerque catcher Paul Hoover hit a grand slam in Friday's 7-5 win against Oklahoma, but the biggest winner in the game was Isotopes fan Admin Trujillo. Nine months ago, Trujillo won a white Nissan XTerra when Albuquerque third baseman Jason Wood hit a grand slam in the third inning of a game, triggering a free-car drawing sponsored by a local casino. The drawing happened again last night after Hoover's blast, and against all odds, Trujillo was again the winner--this time taking home a red Ford Escape. Trujillo's name was chosen out of about 60 entries. "I'm still in shock," Trujillo told the Alburquerue Tribune. "I'm shaking." The 45-year-old is not an Isotopes season ticket holder, but said he goes to 23 games a year and proclaims himself to be the team's biggest fan--and likely the one with the highest car insurance bill every month. Of course, the back-to-back SUV victories were the talk of the clubhouse. "I just can?t believe a guy is that lucky," Wood told the paper. "I don't know how that even works." http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...ews/261234.html

DOWN ON THE FARM Most of the organization's outfield prospects are in the low minors, but the Marlins have created one at Double-A. Signed out of the Dominican Republic as a shortstop, Jose Campusano is playing center and left in his fourth pro season. Through 19 games for Carolina, Campusano is batting a Southern League-best .397. That's 64 points higher than the league's second-best hitter. Campusano, who turns 23 in December, was among the players Girardi shuttled in from minor league camp for Grapefruit League games and he loved the tools. Not only does Campusano have a league-best 13 steals in 15 attempts, he is adapting well to the outfield. His biggest problem right now is overrunning balls. Other notables in the system: Left-hander Renyel Pinto took the Pacific Coast League's eighth-lowest ERA (2.29) into Thursday's start against Oklahoma. Teammate Yusmeiro Petit isn't far behind with a 2.70 ERA after four starts. Pinto continues to need improvement on his strikeout-to-walk ratio. He was at about 1 to 1, but Petit is at 3 to 1. Acquired from the Yankees for Ron Villone, Ben Julianel is winless in five appearances (four starts), but he has the Southern League's seventh-lowest ERA (2.25) with four walks and 14 strikeouts in 24 innings. Teammates James Russ and Anibal Sanchez also rank among the league's ERA leaders with 2.31 and 2.38 marks, respectively. At high Class A Jupiter, outfielder Brett Carroll is the Florida State League's third-best hitter with a .361 average. Acquired from the Mets in the Carlos Delgado deal, infielder Grant Psomas ranks ninth (.338). Dominican right-hander Jose Garcia is 1-1 with a 1.57 ERA (tied for seventh). Low Class A Greensboro teammates Gaby Sanchez and Jeff Van Houton are leading the South Atlantic League with seven homers apiece. Sanchez has a league-best 20 RBI and fourth-best batting average (.389), just ahead of teammate Andrew Jenkins (.373). West Palm Beach native and 2005 first-round draft pick Chris Volstad is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts, but fellow prospects Ryan Tucker, Aaron Thompson and Sean West are a combined 0-3 with a 5.10 ERA. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins

DOWN ON THE FARM | PAUL MILDREN, FLORIDA MARLINS Everyone knows there's no crying in baseball. But perhaps less widely known that there are no guarantees, either. Which is why left-hander Paul Mildren knows he might never get a chance to see how he would do against big-league hitters in a major-league game. Then again, that's not really much of a mystery anymore anyway. Not after the way he pitched against some big-league All-Stars in last spring's World Baseball Classic. ''It's massive in the first place for me to be able to pitch in a situation like that,'' said the 21-year-old Australian, who retired Frank Catalanotto, Willy Taveras, Alfonso Soriano and Miguel Tejada, among others, in two WBC appearances. ``. . . Just that experience seeing how my stuff, not changing anything, goes against them [was great]. And then using that confidence to come back here and throw in Double A.'' That confidence has obviously carried over for Mildren, who won his first two starts for the Marlins' Southern League team in the Double A Carolina League. That comes after a 2005 season in which he went 10-3 with a 3.08 ERA for Single A Jupiter. ''I've learned in this game that you can't worry about other people,'' said Mildren, who is in his fifth professional season. ``I know if I put up some numbers, maybe there's a chance to get up there. But . . . I've got to do my game first.'' http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...ll/14408474.htm

A Cubs fan at today game was talkin about Willis being traded by the deadline. He said he read it on some Cub chat board( I didn't get the name b/c I tried to block out what he was saying) that they would love to have Willis back and that Lee/ JP have already gone to management about it with Felix Pie being the centerpiece. I think its BS this guys down here can't be that stupid...or could they?

You guys aren't satisfied with Abercrombie in CF?? I'd prefer Reggie in LF, we don't know yet if he can handle CF at Dolphins stadium, let alone be an effective MLer

Samson is such a prick, he should realise that the vast majority of the public can care less about his team, even with its 2 world championships. Alienating the Fins is not the way to attract new fans, we all know that the Dolphins rule the sporting community in South Florida. I wish that they would sell the team, the current leadership are PR nightmares. then what are you doing here, I agree though the leadership at the top is a PR nightmare

MLB nixed Marlins By BARRY JACKSON bjackson@MiamiHerald.com As San Antonio pursues the Marlins, fans should know it might not have come to this if Major League Baseball had been proactive. We're told Marlins management -- knowing baseball values the South Florida market -- asked MLB to contribute toward stadium financing, but baseball balked, citing lack of precedent. MLB will pay $20 million for the Washington Nationals' new stadium (though that will be passed on to the team's eventual owner). If the same offer had been extended to owner Jeffrey Loria -- and if he had chipped in another $20 million and kept the promise to cover over-runs -- that would have covered the funding gap that existed last spring. (The gap has grown to $100 million.) Citing the D.C. deal, Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina wants baseball to ''be part of'' a deal here. But a ballpark in Hialeah appears unlikely, partly because Robaina has decided not to ask residents to vote on a tax to help finance it (unlike San Antonio's approach). Miami-Dade County also seems unwilling to take the referendum route. ''It's a South Florida team, not a Hialeah team,'' said Robaina, who met with Marlins president David Samson last week. ''I'm not committing anything but land to this deal.'' (The land's iffy, because the proposed sites are privately owned.) ? Samson has been taking light-hearted tweaks at landlord Wayne Huizenga in public speeches. At a Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Samson bemoaned how the Marlins get only 16 season tickets. ``We're forced to pay for our suite under our lease, which is one of the great documents of all time for those who negotiated it, who were fired, of course.'' In another forum, he was asked about Huizenga wanting the Marlins out of Dolphins Stadium. Samson responded that ''maybe'' Huizenga ''thinks the play of his team since 1972 has been impacted by the field.'' Ouch. And at a Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce event, Samson noted: ``The best sports tradition we have is the '72 Dolphins open wine when a team loses a game. Without the Marlins, there would have been no world championships in Florida in pro sports since 1972. Get over it. It's time to focus on other teams.'' I LOVE SAMSON!!!!! finally someone comes out and says it like it is. I wish he would have gone in more detail on the Huizenga wanting the Marlins out of Dolphins Stadium the stuff in Tally, in the city of Miami the backstabbing, but I still don't like Samson as the face of this team

One last thing do I feel the organization will make a move? YES Who? the centerfielder from TB

the new BIG COUNTRY Josh Johnson

Sergio Mitre pitched two scoreless innings yesterday in his debut for Hermosillo of the MPL. He struck out two and walked one. Mitre almost surely will occupy a spot in the Florida rotation next season after being acquired from the Cubs in the Juan Pierre deal. Renyel Pinto allowed three runs -- two earned -- and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings yesterday for Anzoategui of the VWL. At least he seems to have found his command. In his first three appearances of the VWL season, he walked eight batters over the course of one inning. Rotoworld

OK, not attacking you, just the quote. That quote about attendance dropping is misrepresentative. Attendance actually went up from 2004 to 2005, just less than other markets so we went down in attendance rankings, but the Marlins individually experienced an attendance increase. Just FYI... Well we all don't think the attendance to increase from 05' to 06' so there will be a trend downward, so the move could be justified. but I'll look for that other article that was more in depth about the situation RealFan What are you talking about when you reference all of the businesses getting money to stay? Are you talking about large scale Corpoations like Motorolla? Our are you referencing some regular medium sized business? Only huge corporations that employ tons of people, with good salaries etc get TAX INCENTIVES....only pro sports get actual $$$ in the form of a stadium that a municipality pays for and the team owns. And the economic imapact between a corporation that employs many people can not even compare to a sports team. Otherwise there is not a context where a business is simply given money to stay. I'm not trying to be harsh but that argument is ridiculous. It's a shame this subject has gotten us into Econ 101 rather than talking about all of the killer prospects we've gotten and the possible OF trades. I am so bitter towards the threat/promise of the Marlins leaving. TAX INCENTIVES? I believe its more than that, but as far as economic impact comparing to sports team to corporations does compare somewhat. Hear me out, don't sports team like the Marlins, Heat, Dolphins employ millionaires with million dollar expenses? Don't some of this Millionaires start up there own businesses, and pump in money into the economy? Don't other Millionaires from other cities come to our town with there families and pump more money into our community? I would think having more millionaries in our community can only be a plus, even if its not the same impact that some corporation bring its still felt in our community.

OK, not attacking you, just the quote. That quote about attendance dropping is misrepresentative. Attendance actually went up from 2004 to 2005, just less than other markets so we went down in attendance rankings, but the Marlins individually experienced an attendance increase. Just FYI... Well we all don't think the attendance to increase from 05' to 06' so there will be a trend downward, so the move could be justified. but I'll look for that other article that was more in depth about the situation

plus its already been made public that if the attendance drop below 10,000 next season. The following year MLB will consider playing Marlins homegames in Mexico or Puerto Rico. Where'd you hear that? There are about 10,000 season ticket holders, so unless no one buys individual game tickets, that scenario isn't happening. Also, I do recall someone from MLB saying that there was "no chance" for Puerto Rico or Mexico when that idea was thrown around a couple of weeks ago... Marlins in Puerto Rico? Marlins Vice President P.J. Loyello said the team has "zero interest" in playing any future home games away from Dolphins Stadium. If the Marlins' attendance drops again in 2006, Major League Baseball will consider playing some games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, or Monterrey, Mexico. somewhere else the figure was the thrown around about 10,000 i just can't find it. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...notes_1208.html

Look in the mirror are you Marlins fans?...baseball fans? in every team sports tough times occur with every sports fan favorite teams. Ya it s*cks to be a Marlins fan right, your at the bottom of ladder, and everybody is to blame. Everybody is laughing at us. So are going to jump ship? Look I understand the frustration with ownership, but is a deep pocket owner the key to all our money problems? Is Loria the problem? We had 3 owners in the last 8yrs, and the last two with deeper pockets than this one. What happen to them? they jump ship on us. Look I'm not saying everything Loria is saying is the truth, but I know for a fact there are people out there in media and political circles who want the Marlins to leave town...fail.They have made it near impossible to make a deal happen. Right now I have to be a true fan and take Loria word that his tried to make this happen. Are there certain things he's done wrong? YES(ie.. Samson) but what are our options as fans? Well go out and support the team...yeah the name on the front. Because if we don't show up everybody( Loria, politicians, MLB) will have reason to take our Marlins away....that's a fact. I've heard those talkin heads who by the way are loving this, talk about the Marlins going nowhere, that this Marlins ownership trying to bully a stadium out of us....Ok if thats the mindset the team is as good as gone. And then what? wait on another team? Ok 20yrs..30yrs? who then will flip the bill for the stadium? someone will take entire cost. Bottomline is NOBODY here wants the Marlins to leave as piss off as we are, we want baseball to stay. So as much as it hurts you to go to the ballpark this season its a must, just think about why your going. I love the Marlins and it will kill me if they move. I have no problem with the "firesale/mc" because i think Admin B did a great job and it would not surprise me if we flirted with .500. But don't get me to feel sorry for our poor owners. They knew what they were buying and that did not include a new stadium and it did include an awful lease, thanks to that putz John Henry. They say they have to run this like a business. Well pretend you bought a business. A business that you naturally did proper due dilligence on and bought after analyzing revenues, expenses, upside/downside, growth potential blah blah. IF you have been losing money every year (and no way these guys are losing 20+ mill a year) what would you do? Well most business would be closed because who would want to buy such a business. But what if you had a buyer who would pay you 20-80% more than you paid for it. You would sell and sell fast. I fell 100% certain that there would/will be multiple buyers who would give these guys $70-100 mill more than they paid. And this someone would understand #1 Exactly what he would be buying and #2 Be thrilled at the fact that an offer to chip in $125+ million towards a new stadium. Not to mention Huzienga's offer of free land (i'm sure some strings would be attached) Bottom line, you need a net worth of 800 million liquid to own a pro sports team nowadays, unless you bought one years back and duped the local municipality into building a shiny new stadium for you. Last point, i don't think its going to be as easy to move as many assume. Look how long it took Montreal. That seemed to drag out an extra 3-4 years. I want to get this done but it kills me the way we are being held hostage by our owners. And we can obviously be competitive with a lower payroll so don't tell me these guys are hemoraging money. Really like the site. Hopefully this rant doesn't get me banned. and just like a business they can be influence to stay by politicians. Just ask all those businesses in Broward and West Palm Beach how much money they were given to stay in there cities. You'd be surprise by the figures just b/c its not made public doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Personally I don't agree with agrument that it will take 3-4 years to move the Marlins. They've said they won't renew the lease on the stadium in two years, plus its already been made public that if the attendance drop below 10,000 next season. The following year MLB will consider playing Marlins homegames in Mexico or Puerto Rico. I think the wheels are already in motion, so IF nothing gets workout down here the timeline won't be affected. Also Montreal was the first team to move in like 30yrs, so the process dragged b/c it hadn't been done for awhile. Now that its happen it'll be easier for the next team to move.

The Red Sox are having ongoing discussions with the Cleveland Indians about a trade for outfielder Coco Crisp, with the pricetag expected to be either starter Bronson Arroyo or Matt Clement. The Indians are believed to have a preference for Arroyo http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view...rticleid=117476

Rival executives were stunned when the Marlins declined to offer salary arbitration to free-agent closer Todd Jones after Jones' two-year deal with the Tigers became public knowledge. The Marlins would have received two compensation picks if they had extended the offer, giving them five selections in the first and sandwich rounds, including the two they will receive for Burnett, plus their own. The only logical conclusion: The Marlins don't want to pay big money to that many draft picks http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=43814 then whats the point in building through your farm system if your not going to take advantage of draft picks being given to you :mad

Most likely scenario: Detroit's 1B Carlos Pena is swapped for a lower-profile left-handed reliever http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../512120390/1129 Ron Villone? :mischief

Ken Harvey will be examined in Kansas City today after suffering what was tentatively diagnosed as a slight tear in his Achilles? tendon while working out recently in Arizona. Harvey missed most of last season with back problems. It this is another serious injury, the Royals might take him off the 40-man roster. Dec. 12 - 4:27 am et

The Diamondbacks are close to signing infielder Damion Easley to a one-year contract. For what purpose? Easley is a capable backup, but so is Alex Cintron and Andy Green, the PCL MVP, deserves a chance to stick as a utilityman. There's only going to be room for all three if one is a regular. Cintron looks like the candidate to start at shortstop in the group, but he could also be traded. The Diamondbacks need to consider signing a stopgap second baseman and moving Craig Counsell back to short. Dec. 11 - 3:42 am et Source: Arizona Republic

"More trades to free up money is always in the equation," O'Brien added, meaning Pena and Kearns still could land elsewhere, with the St. Louis Cardinals still interested in Kearns for, perhaps, pitcher Jason Marquis. And the Reds probably could get pitching from Washington for Pena. http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cont.../1210mccoy.html The Reds want pitching badly send them a couple of pitchers for Kearns or Pena...PLEASE!