305LaTiNo

Fred Grimm is not an editor, he's a columnist (big difference).Second, Grimm is the "Broward Columnist" for the Herald so you can see where his bias lies! he's still an asshole...i sent him an email and let him know

http://www.miamiherald.com/431/story/877410.html i really hate it when these herald editors dont put out the real facts about the new stadiums financing. everyone should send this editor (fred grimm) an email and let him have it. plus, we are getting destroyed on those herald threads.

It's coming down to the wire, I'm without a doubt going to be there on vote day, we should all try and be there to show our support in numbers. agreed! i will be there Where do they hold the voting at? We should try to gather as many forum members to meet up there and show the support. 111 NW 1st Street 2nd Floor, Commission Chambers Miami, FL 33128 WE SHOULD ALL BE THERE TO SHOW SUPPORT!

It's coming down to the wire, I'm without a doubt going to be there on vote day, we should all try and be there to show our support in numbers. agreed! i will be there

"GM Michael Hill said the Marlins like their catchers (projected starter John Baker, Mike Rabelo and prospects), aren't pursuing a veteran and likely will not sign Ivan Rodriguez, who told people he wants to play here." http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/columnis...ory/870921.html with the market being the way it is we can get a really good deal for pudge. rather baker and rodriguez...rabelo should stay in the minors.

I was reading the City-Data.com forum and a woman from NY put this thread on it yesterday: moving for new sadium with family http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami/54182...ium-family.html Her husband evidently has a job to work on building the new stadium. So I thought it was pretty much a done deal if people are moving to Miami to build it. awesome!

Nice signing, his 2003 and 2005 seasons were not bad at all.His 2006 wasn't terrible, even with injuries.I'm expecting stats in 2009 somewhere between his 2005 and 2006 seasons. Heres 2009 prediction as a starter. .260-270 BA / 15-20 Homeruns / 45-60 RBI / .310 - 325 OBP sounds like we signed another jeremy hermida

what kind of numbers has he put up?

Can't ever have enough pitching. It would be a good signing. yes...i totally agree

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/090108/...viewpoint.shtml Another anti-stadium rant. i really hate this negative bulls*** is there anything positive ever published by this horrendous media down here towards the new stadium or marlins fans in general?

I spoke with Sally Heyman about 2 weeks ago for about 20 minutes. I did not back down and was vocal in my support for reasons far more important to S. Florida in the near future and distant future. The matter is far more important than the life expectancy of Loria. She has strong concerns about the lack of information being provided to her on specific questions of responsibility, overruns and committments. I would assume that these are the matters that kept everyone working on holiday eves etc. Maybe she will waver, but she was evidently bothered by the issues. It should be noted that I have known her many years, so it was not as if a stranger constituent backed her into a corner. The discussion was based on a long standing relationship and mutual respect so I know she was honest. hopefully your chat influenced her a little bit. we need her vote.

Good news that we will finally get this resolved. Does anyone know how we look with the commissioner votes? Do we have enough votes to pass this? From what I've heard, yes. We will have the exact amount of votes needed. where did you hear this? I have been following this topic very closely for many years. We need 9 of the 13 commissioners ( a super majority) to vote for the stadium for it to pass. Five agreements need to be approved. As it stands now: 8 commissioners are definitely for the stadium: Barbara Jordan (District 1), Dorrin Rolle (District 2), Audrey Edmonson (District 3), Bruno Bareiro (District 5), Rebeca Sosa (District 6), Dennis Moss (District 9), Jose "Pepe" Diaz (District 12), Natacha Seijas (District 13) 1 is probably for the stadium : Joe Martinez (District 11) 1 is probably against the stadium: Sally Heyman (District 4) 3 commissioners are definitely against the stadium:Carlos Gimenez (District 7), Katy Sorenson (District 8), Javier Souto (District 10) So if Joe Martinez votes in favor we will have a stadium. Residents of District 11 should call his office and express how you think he should vote. Downtown Office Phone 305-375-5511 District Office Phone 305-552-1155 The commissioners have expressed their views about the stadium deal in the past. However, now that the tunnel deal has collapsed and the stadium deal is more or less standing on its own, it all may change. The good news is that we have heard no bad news. Everything I have read is positive and everyone believes that we will finally get this done on Jan 22. awesome! and i agree...i think everybody should give homeboy a call.

i cant believe we are even talking about this. this is insane, if south florida cant support the marlins, NOONE else can... i wanna see one of these other "optional" cities like portland or vegas build them a half a billion dollar ballpark. portland is a cow town with a population less than hialeah and vegas is going bankrupt.

Problem 1. "Lets start right on top - the Mets" - Oh wait, didnt the Phillies win the division last year, and em....that means they r on top Problem 2. First thing they say bout us - awful fan base Problem 3. Mitch says we have good defence - immediately shows he is clueless Problem 4. One of them say we need to get a new stadium - seemingly unaware we have a deal in place and contracts will be finalised in a couple of weeks Positive 1. We are gonna prove these losers wrong!!!!! i second that

Good news that we will finally get this resolved. Does anyone know how we look with the commissioner votes? Do we have enough votes to pass this? From what I've heard, yes. We will have the exact amount of votes needed. where did you hear this?

17 days and counting...then its official

very nice... is the Orange any hint at the future colors for the marlins? It has been very prominent in both the website editions. Or maybe the ballpark will have a little orange flair in memory of Orange Bowl? I thought of that the second I saw it. Hopefully not, though. i think its gonna be... it goes with the whole "orange bowl" theme... but i love the site! i can wait for this thing to be built!

damn, i don't know. sounds pretty good. but cantu is a big part of that lineup.

I felt the same way when I read this article.

I'm not saying I believe it...I am just passing along this story I found online. November 11, 2008...1:51 am Manny, We Missed You Per 2 solid sources: The Marlins are poised to make a run and enter the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes with a creative 2 year deal. While on the surface it sounds preposterous; don't laugh. Manny has a house (and his entire family) living near Miami and has wanted to play for the Marlins for years. We're also being told that the deal would include an option after the first year that would allow him to opt-out and become a free agent. No word yet on the money figures though 2 years at about 22 a piece sounds about right. Also, we are told that the Marlins are looking to move Dan Uggla to third base (and not trade him) , Jorge Cantu to firstbase and either Bonaficio or Coghlin to play the keystone at second base?. Interesting, to say the least, as that scenario would block the path of Gaby Sanchez. http://cityofchamps.wordpress.com/2008/11/...-we-missed-you/

Now this opens the door for either Jorge Cantu or Gaby Sanchez to take the first base job and improve the defense at the position. I agreed with everything you said until the improved defense comment. Jorge Cantu doesn't improve defense at ANY position but I guess it opens up 3rd base for McPherson. How many errors did Jacobs have last year? too many

damn we got some really good prospects down there...

good point. your right...but i dont think they will "gut the payroll". in fact, i heard the marlins will up their payroll to 35 - 40 million. but that is still not enough for me. it will still be the lowest in baseball. i want them to go out and sign some big names to put us over the top in the east. that is my main concern. that is why we need this stadium pronto. cant afford a delay. On the contrary!!! Loria is already planing to "dump" salaries again. He has 15 players going to arbitration and he wants to get rid of the ones who may cost the most......the Uggla's, Mike Jacobs etc. The talk is to bring up more minor leaguers next season thereby, cutting costs and you can bet, wins. Welcome back to losing again. Hope everybody enjoyed the feeling of being a winner because it ain't happen' again soon. I am getting SO SICK of these freakin' owners we have had. They are all a bunch of dirtbags!!! read this: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...144,print.story Marlins' larger payroll doesn't rule out roster changes By Mike Berardino South Florida Sun-Sentinel October 28, 2008 PHILADELPHIA The Marlins haven't seen their payroll hit $40 million since 2005, the days of Carlos Delgado and Al Leiter. That could change in 2009. According to an industry source, the Marlins are telling teams they should have no problem keeping just about all of their 16 remaining arbitration-eligible players. Owner Jeffrey Loria, the source said, has authorized a payroll of up to $40 million, depending on the recommendations of his baseball people. Such a hefty increase over the $22 million the team spent this year would represent an 82 percent hike. Increased revenue sharing, along with the expectation of a new ballpark as soon as 2011 and the World Series run of the low-budget Rays, have emboldened the Marlins to open their wallet again. That doesn't mean there won't be significant alterations to the roster that won 84 games and finished third in the NL East this season. But it does mean the Marlins probably won't be in the position of dumping salary for that purpose alone. Deposed closer Kevin Gregg is readily available, as is power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs. Lefty Scott Olsen could be dealt as well due to a surplus in the starting rotation. While the Marlins and Royals have had serious talks regarding Jacobs, a source that had been briefed on their progress described them as "not close" to fruition. The Mariners and Blue Jays are believed to have expressed interest as well, and the Indians are another possible landing spot for a player coming off a career-best 32 home runs. In the Royals' case, Triple-A Omaha right-hander Carlos Rosa has been discussed, his 96-mph fastball viewed as a potential setup weapon for young closer Matt Lindstrom. But Rosa was shut down in August with a tender arm, and the Marlins aren't enamored with the rest of the Royals' system. Former UM standout Gaby Sanchez is the front-runner to replace Jacobs at first. Veterans Jorge Cantu and Wes Helms can play there as well in case Sanchez, the Southern League MVP, falters. It appears second baseman Dan Uggla will be retained despite a hefty raise in arbitration, and Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga also look like solid bets to return even as young Cameron Maybin claims center field. However, the Marlins are struggling with what to do on the outfield corners. Right fielder Jeremy Hermida has created a split in the front office, sources say, with some believing it's time to cut bait while others insist the former first-rounder will blossom yet. In left, Josh Willingham would be a definite keeper if not for his troublesome back. Late-blooming John Baker is the starting catcher unless a better option comes along. That could depend on the Rangers' expected pursuit of Olsen, for whom they might be willing to dig into their deep surplus of catchers (Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia). you are wrong about loria...yes, we have had some sh*tty owners in the past, but i wouldnt put loria in that category. his only down side is that he is one the poorest owners in baseball, which sucks b/c we mightve had a new stadium by now with an ownership group with deep pockets. by the way, jacobs is going...but uggla is staying. and im in favor of trading jacobs.

Miami-Dade won't seek financing for $515 million ballpark until spring, two years before Marlins' lease with Dolphin Stadium expires By Risa Polansky and Yudislaidy Fernandez It will be about Major League Baseball's opening day before Miami-Dade County begins to seek financing for a $515 million Marlins ballpark. The plan is to go to the bond market in March or April, County Manager George Burgess said ? only two years before the stadium is due to open in April 2011, when the Marlins' lease at Dolphin Stadium expires. He declined to address how that deadline may be affected, saying that's "a question more fairly asked of the team." Marlins spokesman P.J. Loyello said "We're still too early in the process to come up with a definitive timeline." In announcing stadium plans last December, local officials said they expected to break ground by the end of 2008. Miami-Dade's financing timetable is "absolutely not" a matter of waiting for market disarray to settle, Mr. Burgess said. In continuing to plan for the stadium, it will simply take until spring to get to the financing stage, he said. Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Bruno Barreiro told The Wall Street Journal differently last week. His quote: "We have to wait until the market stabilizes." He did not respond to interview requests. But Mr. Burgess maintained today's shaky market has nothing to do with the county's plan to not step up to the financing plate for nearly half a year. "Right now you have an issue of liquidity and you have an issue of money in the market. We're not going to the market now," he said. "We have every confidence that the market is going to be stabilized" by the time the county is ready to seek financing next year. Before then, commissioners must approve five stadium agreements. They OK'd a preliminary pact with the team and the City of Miami in February that required that subsequent contracts be set by July. But auto dealer Norman Braman sent the process into extra innings, suing the governments and the team over the deal. Though stadium plans survived the suit, the trial ate up months, Mr. Burgess said, predicting commissioners should see construction, management, non-relocation, assurance and parking agreements in November or December. In summer, he'd hoped for a September vote. But deadlines are less important than negotiating a solid deal for the public, he said. "The deadline here is to make sure you have an agreement you're comfortable with. Getting those documents prepared correctly is what drives the deadline." No major issues hold the documents back from commissioners, he said. It's ironing out details of multiple lengthy agreements that's taking time. "I don't think it right for me to suggest that there are examples of major issues that we can't agree on because that's not the case," Mr. Burgess said. "We're really just working on language and the final details of the agreement." Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez cited the lawsuit and the complexity of the necessary documents as delay factors. But he also mentioned financial market turmoil. "We've been delayed by litigation. Now we are being impacted by the market," he said, noting that city commissioners also must approve a major use special permit for the stadium. He said the permit, final agreements and adequate financing must be in place before a shovel can hit the ground. Miami Today Thought this article made more sense in this thread that a new post. What a joke this stadium situation has been.Just move the team already.I'm sick of this. guys, dont freak out. this is part of the process. we are going through a financial drought in this country, this is just the way it has to be. the marlins are going nowhere lol. if we cant afford to do this, you think any other city can? look, the stadium will be built...its just not gonna be for opening day 2011. besides, the marlins, city and county are working on the construction agreement as we speak...they will finalize that within the next couple months and then we're ready to play ball. plus, the marlins are going to release the renderings after the judge makes here final ruling, which should be very soon. try not to worry, a delay was expected. you guys are reading too much into this article...your kinda looking at the cup half empty instead of looking at it half full. all this article said is that the funds will be availabe in the spring, and thats fine with me considering the economic crisis. but the construction deal will be sealed way before then. and just a side note, dont forget to equate this into the picture: the elections are here. ofcourse the commissioners are going to talk about delaying this a bit with the current financial crisis...people are worried and the commissioners want to get re-elected, so this makes perfect sense they would say this. all is good though. the marlins will stay...and we will have our new facility, but, we must be patient...things like this take time...its alot of money. i mean we've been waiting like 10 years for this, i think we can wait another winter. here check out this current article on the new stadium from the florida marlins website: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla

Sorenson expressed concern about there being enough hotel bed taxes to cover the construction debt, but county officials have repeatedly said those dollars have already been identified and accounted for. And in fact, history shows governments sometimes like to embark on large public projects in difficult economic times because they stimulate the economy and create jobs. (Think the New Deal). see, not all is bad news... irishharrington, do you really think the marlins will move during this economic crisis??? where will they go??? san antonio???? lol. portland??? lol. and las vegas is currently going bankrupt. do you think miami is in the only city struggling financially??? ALL cities are struggling, the entire country is struggling. what other city will have the funds to build them a stadium??? think about that. miami is still the best market for major league baseball compared to any other alternative. cmon, miami is the only city, with its tourism revenues, that will be able to pull this off. and we will. my only concern with a delay will be payroll issues. also, i think the county vote will come soon after judge cohen gives her final ruling. as far as the commissioners are concerned, it may be a problem...but i think we probably have just enough votes; even considering the economy. but i wouldnt count on that...thats why ive been posting this for months: WE MUST GET INVOLVED. everyone here should try to contact your local officials/commisioners and pledge your support for the stadium, now is the time. we are headed down the finish line. here is their contact info: http://www.miamidade.gov/commiss/ USE IT! WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! That is my primary concern . A gutting of the payroll again , trading every player again , it has retarded the development of our fan base enough already . I dont fear an immediate move as you correctly point out right now there is probably not one city willing or able to spend 100's of millions of dollars on a baseball stadium, but when the economy turns around what little support Miami has provided the Marlins maybe gone. Sooner or later of the team has no support and no home the Marlins will HAVE to move good point. your right...but i dont think they will "gut the payroll". infact, i heard the marlins will up their payroll to 35 - 40 million. but that is still not enough for me. it will still be the lowest in baseabll. i want them to go out and sign some big names to put us over the top in the east. that is my main concern. that is why we need this stadium pronto. cant afford a delay. and dont worry about relocation...the marlins aint goin anywhere...ive worried about the same thing myself, but i came to my senses when i realized there is no other market that could support this team, now or in the near future. just look it up on the web, google it...they have done extensive reseasrch in this very topic (reasearching the altertinative cities; san antonio, portland, charlotte, columbus, las vegas; they cant support a major leagur baseball team). major league baseball will keep the marlins in south florida at all cost dispite recent attendance. mlb believes in this market as they have said time and time again. besides, attendance will go up. mlb knows south florida has alot of potential. just think about this, we are the only fan base in baseball that has had to deal with 2 fire sales, losing all our franchise players to bigger market teams, bad stadium location and comfort, horrible weather, etc., etc., etc.,...dude, and people still come out to support this team. not in huge numbers like in ny or chicago, but the fan base here is extremely loyal and resilient. it will grow in the coming years. plus, we even have higher tv ratings than the yankees. and just look at how this place went crazy during 97 and 03. it would be the biggest mistake mlb has ever done to relocate this team to another city...it will not happen.