Maury Brown

It’s Time for MLB to Rethink the Marlins Stadium Strategy It seems obvious that getting the “stadium done� is going to require MLB rethink their strategy. It’s time to be very un-MLB-like. Here’s some suggestions: * Time for MLB to get agile. MLB moves about as quickly as a glacier on matters. Time to get moving. Time to quit thinking that by sitting back, pressure will mount on municipalities to do something about funding. The pressure is on MLB and the Marlins. It’s time for them to act, otherwise, you’re in the same boat as you have been every other year. * It’s time for MLB to look across the aisle to the NFL. I’m about to talk heresy in MLB’s eyes, but they need to take a page from the NFL’s playbook and create a G3-type central fund. Have the owners all pitch in and consider floating the Marlins a no-interest or low-interest loan to breach the funding gap that is out there. In doing so, it would make the Florida Legislature, Miami and Miami-Dade County officials far more receptive to passing public funding. It’s time for MLB to lead by example and put their money where their mouth is. * Don’t want to do a G3-type fund? Fine, tell Loria and Samson to bring on local investors that are willing to help the cause. Once again, this is a solution, not a problem. One of the most glaring problems for the Marlins has been their poor PR with local, county, and state government. Bringing in local investors will help mend those wounds. * Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. You want a downtown location? Great. Cough up the money to get you in there. Otherwise, start looking at the Orange Bowl location as a solution, not a problem. (Read the rest of the article at the link above)

Hello all, Maury Brown here with Baseball Prospectus. I am getting ready to do an article on blackout hell that many around the nation are dealing with. As an example, if you live in Las Vegas you are unable to watch the Dodgers, Angels, Diamondbacks, A's, Giants, and Padres. If you are interested in telling your story here's what I need... I'll need to know the town you live in, what teams you have been unable to watch, and if possible, your full name. I'm mostly looking for those of you in pockets throughout the US where you're squeezed out of not just one, but two or possibly more teams you should be able to see. For background on me, as well as my email address to possibly be involved in this article, go to my bio page here on The Baseball Journals, which is my blog. Thanks, Maury Brown Baseball Prospectus

San Antonio housing market keeps getting hotter They'll be ready for MLB in about 5 years... maybe. A looming factor is compensation to Hicks and McLane over television broadcast territory. It's academic at the moment... Can't see an MOU being signed. Just not enough on the table by SA to warrant such a deal.

If that data were a tipping point any more than data such as median household income, which can be a factor as well, then I think you need to bring it along into the research. As I outline, however, the data presented in total is more than a solid case for saying relocation to any of the mentioned markets as unfavorable. Portland would be a stretch if the political landscape were conducive to constructive relocation discussions at this time, and they?re a considerable leap from San Antonio which has been the chief discussion, at this time.

It also doesn't look at recent US Census estimates and changes. Well, I certainly could have added that... and distance to other franchises... and cost of living differential.... and.... and... and... It was one of those bits of research that could be done in several parts. The need was not there to go whole hog... the point is made. On the recent estimates and changes... I did the change in-between the censuses. One could have done what you suggest, but then it doesn't make or break the findings... market sizes for relocation are considerably smaller than exisiting markets. Thanks for catching the typo on the hotel/motel rental car tax figure for SA

I do a comprehensive study on relocation and come to the conclusion that teams aren't moving. The Hardball Times: Relocation? Your Team's Not Going Anywhere

The Baseball Journals: First to 50 Games: Four Minor League Pitchers Suspended For those scoring at home, MLB has the first test of the new drug policy in the books, albeit Minor League players. Four players were suspended for 50 games today. What?s interesting, and something that has garnered little play since the testing program came into exisitence, is that all 4 of these players are pitchers (none of whom have pitched in the Majors, by the way). When you look at the number of players, at least in the Majors that were caught, pitchers matched position players 6 to 6. What we?re seeing is pitchers using steroids to bounce back from wear and tear. While the data set is extremely small, and therefore inconclusive at this time, 3 of the 5 players caught within the last 2 months of the season (Matt Lawton?s suspension was announced after the World Series on 11/2) were pitchers. Could it be that pitchers are more likely to Juice at the beginning and end of the seasons when stress is more likely to occur on arms and shoulders? Time will tell.

Then you're barking up the wrong tree, because no such owner would be allowed to own the Marlins by MLB. Ya, you won't be seeing China Basin (PacBell) anytime soon. But... I think that you're going to start seeing more ownership equity in stadium development. Look at how Busch III came online. The Cards wanted more public subsidy and that simply didn't happen. This sounds extremely weighted to ownership, but at least 1/3 ownership equity would seem like a good place to start.

I'd rather see the two New York Cash Cows get new facilities for their fans than see teams like the Marlins and Pirates pocket the money. The Marlins were pocketing money the past few seasons? I would be the first to say that they certainly could have done that when Loria came on the scene, but he poured more than a bit of money into the player payroll and won a World Series. Fans didn't show up, and so the logic is, it must be the facility. And yes, Samson and Loria get to control the revenue streams in a baseball only facility. If at that point they pocket those streams, then I could see reason to level such claims. Hey, they aren't in Carl Pohlad status since owning the Marlins... yet.

Wouldn't you believe the owners that must vote along with the Astros (and Rangers) to prevent relocation would not do so if it meant keeping a revenue sharing beneficiary from becoming a benefactor? What's precedent to a couple dozen million dollars every year? I don't know about that. It depends on how rosy the other revenue streams are at the moment (and, man... they look good right now). I'm not saying it's not possible, but rather there are other factors. One key thing I have heard is that Selig is concerned about how it would look moving a 2-time World Series champion, regardless of the fan attendance woes (hey, this is an issue that can't be removed at the moment. That's why the new facility is critical... to get butts in the seats).

I have heard from someone that met with Selig directly that MLB does not wish to lose the South Florida market. I think that it's obvious that that is the case. Bridging the gaps in plan in South Florida would make the most sense. Now, do I think that we'll see an effort to see how far SA can go with their funding?... Certainly. There's holes big enough to drive a truck through the plan as it currently stands, but from MLB's and SA's perspective, it makes good sense to see just how viable the market really is. I lived this in Portland when I was part of the Expos derby here, and there is high value in seeing what options are available, and do an in-depth study of the market. After that, it's all debatable. The Marlins should remain in South Florida. It's what's best for baseball. It's what's best for the Marlins.

The Baseball Journals: One Image Explains Why Relocation Is Difficult Want to know why putting a team in San Antonio or Portland comes with a payment to clubs like the Mariners, Rangers, and Astros? This map, which is in higher resolution at the link provided explains why. The image is a map of the broadcast territories for MLB. This goes to the heart of the matter with relocation of the Marlins... Why ditch the 17th market in the US for 23rd or worse, 37th, when there is a considerable compensation element involved?