ARLINGTON -- When the Marlins take the field Monday at Minute Maid Park, it will mark the franchise's 14th Opening Day.

 

In the club's comparatively brief history, the Marlins have won two World Series titles, and the team is riding a franchise-best string of three straight winning seasons.

 

But this year's opener comes with a cloud of uncertainty. Unable to secure a retractable-roof stadium in Miami-Dade County, the Marlins now find themselves exploring all options for a home. Last November, the league granted the team permission to seek relocation.

 

Without the security of a stadium to help raise revenues, the Marlins streamlined their player payroll, dramatically overhauling the roster. Going with primarily young players, Florida went from paying about $65 million for players in 2005 to the league's lowest payroll now, roughly $15 million.

 

In the meantime, the Marlins have continued talking with Miami-Dade County officials regarding a new stadium. Perhaps the strongest local option is the city of Hialeah.

 

The most serious out-of-state interest is coming from San Antonio, so much so that when the Marlins open at Houston on Monday, San Antonio officials will be on hand as invited guests of Florida owner Jeffrey Loria.

 

Among those expected to meet with Loria are Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger.

 

Marlins president David Samson maintains it is the hopes of the franchise, and Major League Baseball, to keep the team in South Florida.

 

With a critical season about to begin, Samson sat down with MLB.com to address some key issues facing the franchise.

 

MLB.com: For people who say you are a new team, you're young and you can't win, what do you tell them?

 

Samson: It's never been shown that a team with new players, young players, can't win baseball games. We were young in '03, and two of our most important players were 21-years-old that year. [Actually, Dontrelle Willis was 21, and Miguel Cabrera was 20]. More importantly, Joe Girardi is our manager, and his focus isn't on building toward the future, it's winning now. He expects this team to perform, and he is managing to win. So we go into this season with hopes of competing and winning games and being in the pennant race. If the reality is different, then that's the same reality that many teams, with higher payrolls, will share.

 

MLB.com: Jeffrey Loria has been very competitive and he has stretched his limits on payroll the past few seasons. What's Jeffrey's mood about this new team?

 

Samson: He's excited about the players, but he also recognizes what a difficult offseason it was. Because any time you go from the franchise's record-highest payroll to the franchise's lowest payroll, it comes with the realization that we didn't get a stadium deal done, and that our future in South Florida is unclear. That's what is more upsetting to him this offseason ... is the announcement that had to be made in November. Our goal from Day 1 has been to open a new stadium, and it was supposed to open this year.

 

MLB.com: What can you say in regards to local efforts for a retractable-roof stadium in South Florida?

 

Samson: Jeffrey has had us exploring other options in other cities, but at the same time, we've continued talks in Florida and Miami-Dade County. We continue to try to find a way to get a deal done. There is no way to handicap where the team will be in three years right now, but it continues to be a desire for us to get a deal done in South Florida. But there have been other cities who have stepped up, and we've had very serious conversations about the possibility of relocation.

 

MLB.com: On Monday, San Antonio officials will be joining you and Mr. Loria for Opening Day at Minute Maid Park. What should be made of that meeting?

 

Samson: I've been involved in conversations with the mayor of San Antonio and County Judge Nelson Wolff for quite a while now. And it was important for Jeffrey to meet them. So we're going to sit with them during the game, and sit with some commissioners from San Antonio and get to know them, because that's how you start relationships and that's how you continue business relationships -- by developing personal relationships. As far as what does it mean? We already know the local politicians in Miami-Dade. We're just starting to get to know those in San Antonio.

 

MLB.com: When the Marlins have their home opener on April 11, will any local politicians be on hand?

 

Samson: In previous years we've entertained a number of local politicians as we've gotten to know them. We now have those local relationships. We know them. Everyone knows what has to be done in South Florida. There doesn't need to be discussions over a hot dog in Miami-Dade. There needs to be substantive conversations in a board room, not a playing field.

 

MLB.com: What message should Marlins fans in South Florida be paying attention to right now?

 

Samson: People need to understand that this is a very important year for us. What we have to do is show people around Major League Baseball that South Florida deserves to be a Major League market with a Major League Baseball team. We and Commissioner Bud Selig have repeatedly said we believe South Florida is a good market for baseball. It just hasn't shown it. Now is the time to start. People can be upset that the payroll is lower or upset that we're looking at other cities to possibly relocate the team, but the truth is, a lot of the destiny of the franchise could be in our fans' hands. Reacting positively to our team, even if you are concerned about the future, is something that can be very important this year.

 

MLB.com: Do you feel the Marlins will present an entertaining product this year?

 

Samson: Very. This has been my favorite Spring Training in seven years of baseball. Because these kids are working very hard. I've never seen Miguel Cabrera happier. Dontrelle Willis is a consummate professional with a smile on his face. Just because you haven't heard of the players, doesn't mean anything. I remind people that when we signed Pudge Rodriguez in 2003, some in the media ridiculed the move. As it turned out, that signing led to a second World Series victory for the Florida Marlins. So you never know. This team is built to compete now. We'll see what happens.

 

MLB.com: If you get a new stadium in South Florida, can we expect to see the payroll rise again?

 

Samson: It depends what the deal looks like. In cities where the public has fully built the stadium, I can understand the expectations for the payroll to be high. In a community where right now we've offered the fourth-largest contribution in the history of new stadiums, there is certainly a correlation between that contribution and what the payroll can be. So if we have to go even higher to get a deal done here, it will impact our payroll. We have to [/b]make sure we save the franchise first. Over the long run, that is far more important than an individual year's payroll.

 

MLB.com: When will the stadium issue resolve itself?

 

Samson: Our lease runs out in 2010 -- that's our last season in Dolphins Stadium. So we need to have a new stadium by 2011. In order to open a new stadium in 2010, we need to start building very soon. Previously, we had hoped to open in 2006, and that would have given us a cushion for many years [under the Dolphins Stadium lease agreement]. That would have helped the team tremendously. Now we don't have that cushion. It's not a matter of wanting a new stadium, it's a matter of survival.

very interesting. i get a good feeling reading about it.

So we go into this season with hopes of competing and winning games and being in the pennant race. If the reality is different, then that's the same reality that many teams, with higher payrolls, will share.

 

Don't patronize me, David.

It really wouldnt suprise me if Girardi expects these kids to be in the pennant race.

So we go into this season with hopes of competing and winning games and being in the pennant race. If the reality is different, then that's the same reality that many teams, with higher payrolls, will share.

 

Don't patronize me, David.

 

I don't understand why that's so hard to believe.

 

If they and Giradi EXPECTED or PREPARED for anything less than that, they wouldn't deserve to have their jobs.

 

I'm not saying they're going to win the pennant either... but in their position, that's what they have to prepare for. If they state publicly anything less, fans would be in outcry. Imagine a manager saying "Well, we just don't want to come last" ... what message would that be sending not only to the fans, but to the players as well? That the players aren't talented enough to win the division. Sooner or later, the players would believe that too. You have to remember we have a lot of young players in this team, they need encouragement and they need to shoot for the stars. IMO.

more negative news about the stadium front

 

 

what else is new

more negative news about the stadium front

 

 

what else is new

 

 

 

where do you see the negative news? He confirmed that he is still meeting with South Florida polititians and he is looking forward to get a deal done down here

MLB.com: If you get a new stadium in South Florida, can we expect to see the payroll rise again?

 

Samson: It depends what the deal looks like. In cities where the public has fully built the stadium, I can understand the expectations for the payroll to be high. In a community where right now we've offered the fourth-largest contribution in the history of new stadiums, there is certainly a correlation between that contribution and what the payroll can be. So if we have to go even higher to get a deal done here, it will impact our payroll.

 

 

Switching boats mid-stream already? How pathetic...

 

Samson: People need to understand that this is a very important year for us. What we have to do is show people around Major League Baseball that South Florida deserves to be a Major League market with a Major League Baseball team. We and Commissioner Bud Selig have repeatedly said we believe South Florida is a good market for baseball. It just hasn't shown it. Now is the time to start. People can be upset that the payroll is lower or upset that we're looking at other cities to possibly relocate the team, but the truth is, a lot of the destiny of the franchise could be in our fans' hands. Reacting positively to our team, even if you are concerned about the future, is something that can be very important this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Boy, a setup! I know 99% of the cats on these boards will be like me and attend 10 or more games this season....

 

but no way can Samsonite expect the rest of south florida to be as supportive. Most bandwagon'er's just came out because we had a star studded team and it was the "cool" thing to do.

MLB.com: If you get a new stadium in South Florida, can we expect to see the payroll rise again?

 

Samson: It depends what the deal looks like. In cities where the public has fully built the stadium, I can understand the expectations for the payroll to be high. In a community where right now we've offered the fourth-largest contribution in the history of new stadiums, there is certainly a correlation between that contribution and what the payroll can be. So if we have to go even higher to get a deal done here, it will impact our payroll.

 

Am I the only one that found that last sentence interesting?

You guys assume Samson or Loria value the truth. Do we all forget about that RICO trial where the two of them were the defendants? Loria's goal in life is to get a stadium of his own on someone else's dime. If he doesn't think it will happen here he might as well as salt the earth here and make it look like lack of support not that it was his fault, thus he needs to seek a stadium elsewhere.

He definitely chose his words carefully and never said yes to the question regarding future payroll even if they get a stadium. He wants to use the $300MM as an excuse not to increase payroll to a significant amount when in fact all the $300M represents is their lease. It is NOT a generous gift from Loria.

 

How about the Marlins pay $300M up front and the people if Florida/S.Florida pay the additional $150M over 30 years? I guarantee even Jeb?or Miami?or Broward?or Palm Beach?.or Fort Myers?.or the city of Coral Springs for that matter would go for that.

 

The $300 is nothing but a lease?why won?t the media discuss this? Now they will allow Samson say that payroll probably wouldn?t move forward too much if they pay $300M? Let?s restate that in to something that makes sense?.The taxpayers put up $450MM and charge the Marlins $125K per game(that's $10M per season) to lease the stadium (like that?s not a bargain 10-20-30 years from). $125k per game is made up off $6.25 per fan each night if the teams draws just 20K fans per game?less than they did last season. Increased attendance...better split from concessions, parking, suites....but if $6.25 per fan needs to go to pay a lease payroll may not increase as high as we might hope.

 

I don?t know what?s worse?.the fact that he says this?.or the insanity that the media will not go after him on it.

"a lot of the destiny of the franchise could be in our fans' hands"

 

Unfortunately, you can't believe a word Samson says. At the fan meeting in December, or was it November, Samson was specifically asked if this would be happening (the dismantling and the courtship of other cities) if attendance was 35,000 a game. He said "YES". So while 35,000 attendance would eliminate the bashing of S. Florida baseball fans, it would mean nothing to change what is happening. Forget about "contributions to the new park", there is only one contribution Loria and Samson want and that is who can bring them the largest treasure chest to place at their feet. Maybe some people think that is all in good business-fine-but don't mislead everyone about the intentions.

The question that didn't get asked---- Q-Are you a lepruchan and if so why not put some of your gold towards keeping the Marlins in SoFla?

The guaranteed rent payments is how other ballparks have been funded in the past. It is hard enough to get the Marlins to pay $30M upfront. Asking them to pay $300M upfront is absurd.

MLB.com: If you get a new stadium in South Florida, can we expect to see the payroll rise again?

 

Samson: It depends what the deal looks like. In cities where the public has fully built the stadium, I can understand the expectations for the payroll to be high. In a community where right now we've offered the fourth-largest contribution in the history of new stadiums, there is certainly a correlation between that contribution and what the payroll can be. So if we have to go even higher to get a deal done here, it will impact our payroll.

 

Am I the only one that found that last sentence interesting?

Thank you for pointing that out. very interesting.

 

On wheter they increase payroll or not if a stadium deal is done, to be honest I don't care right now. I'm a fan for the long haul and Loria won't be owning this team forever. First, lets secure the future of this franchise in South Florida and lets worry about payroll second.

Loria hasn't proven to be cheap with payroll when presented with some sense that it might help the club on and off the field. I wouldn't be too concerned about it. More likely it is a ploy to stress the team's position in their current stadium battle.

MLB.com: If you get a new stadium in South Florida, can we expect to see the payroll rise again?

 

Samson: It depends what the deal looks like. In cities where the public has fully built the stadium, I can understand the expectations for the payroll to be high. In a community where right now we've offered the fourth-largest contribution in the history of new stadiums, there is certainly a correlation between that contribution and what the payroll can be. So if we have to go even higher to get a deal done here, it will impact our payroll.

 

Am I the only one that found that last sentence interesting?

Thank you for pointing that out. very interesting.

 

On wheter they increase payroll or not if a stadium deal is done, to be honest I don't care right now. I'm a fan for the long haul and Loria won't be owning this team forever. First, lets secure the future of this franchise in South Florida and lets worry about payroll second.

 

i agree 100% :thumbup

"a lot of the destiny of the franchise could be in our fans' hands"

 

Unfortunately, you can't believe a word Samson says. At the fan meeting in December, or was it November, Samson was specifically asked if this would be happening (the dismantling and the courtship of other cities) if attendance was 35,000 a game. He said "YES". So while 35,000 attendance would eliminate the bashing of S. Florida baseball fans, it would mean nothing to change what is happening. Forget about "contributions to the new park", there is only one contribution Loria and Samson want and that is who can bring them the largest treasure chest to place at their feet. Maybe some people think that is all in good business-fine-but don't mislead everyone about the intentions.

 

 

Samson is looking for fan support in terms of putting pressure on the politicos to get a deal done. He has stated on numerous occasions that the current lease is a losing situation regardless of the attendance.

What trully scares me is Loria sitting down with those two guys in houston, could make him envision a future in San Antonio, it's the start to our worst nightmare.

If Loria is dumb enough to move to San Antonio, he will deserve his fate. I would fully expect MLB to expand within 3 years of his boneheaded move and once the Twins and A's are dealt with.

You guys assume Samson or Loria value the truth. Do we all forget about that RICO trial where the two of them were the defendants? Loria's goal in life is to get a stadium of his own on someone else's dime. If he doesn't think it will happen here he might as well as salt the earth here and make it look like lack of support not that it was his fault, thus he needs to seek a stadium elsewhere.

 

You are a creep beyond compare.

 

Both the mediator who first heard the plaintiff's complaint and then the court found their position was completely without merit and summarily tossed it out. To bring it up as if either of them were gulty of anything is low-life and morally bankrupt.

You guys assume Samson or Loria value the truth. Do we all forget about that RICO trial where the two of them were the defendants? Loria's goal in life is to get a stadium of his own on someone else's dime. If he doesn't think it will happen here he might as well as salt the earth here and make it look like lack of support not that it was his fault, thus he needs to seek a stadium elsewhere.

 

You are a creep beyond compare.

 

Both the mediator who first heard the plaintiff's complaint and then the court found their position was completely without merit and summarily tossed it out. To bring it up as if either of them were gulty of anything is low-life and morally bankrupt.

 

That's why they settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money right? :whistle I never said they were guilty but these guys are far from great. They walked out of Montreal with items in hand. I mean you want to think of these guys as the most innocent thing ever go ahead.

 

In 2002 the former minority owners of the Montr?al Expos baseball team filed charges under the RICO Act against Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria claiming that Selig and Loria deliberately conspired to devalue the team for personal benefit in preparation for a move. If found guilty, Major League Baseball could have been found liable for up to $300 million in punitive damages. The case lasted for two years, successfully stalling the Expos move to Washington or contraction during that time. It was eventually sent to arbitration and settled for an undisclosed sum, permitting the move to Washington to take place. This happened notably after Loria, now owner of the Florida Marlins had received a significant financial boost after winning the World Series and Selig refused to permit the Expos to engage in September callups, effectively killing their chances at the playoffs.

 

When Loria bought the Expos, he presented himself as the franchise's savior. Just a few years later, however, he sold the team to buy the Marlins, taking everything with him he could sneak past customs, including computers, scouting reports, two complete sets of autographed jerseys, life-size cutouts of Vladimir Guerrero and a box of signed baseballs. It was as if he sent in Ruben Rivera for a final pass through the clubhouse.

Awesome.

You guys assume Samson or Loria value the truth. Do we all forget about that RICO trial where the two of them were the defendants? Loria's goal in life is to get a stadium of his own on someone else's dime. If he doesn't think it will happen here he might as well as salt the earth here and make it look like lack of support not that it was his fault, thus he needs to seek a stadium elsewhere.

 

You are a creep beyond compare.

 

Both the mediator who first heard the plaintiff's complaint and then the court found their position was completely without merit and summarily tossed it out. To bring it up as if either of them were gulty of anything is low-life and morally bankrupt.

 

That's why they settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money right? :whistle I never said they were guilty but these guys are far from great. They walked out of Montreal with items in hand. I mean you want to think of these guys as the most innocent thing ever go ahead.

 

In 2002 the former minority owners of the Montr?al Expos baseball team filed charges under the RICO Act against Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria claiming that Selig and Loria deliberately conspired to devalue the team for personal benefit in preparation for a move. If found guilty, Major League Baseball could have been found liable for up to $300 million in punitive damages. The case lasted for two years, successfully stalling the Expos move to Washington or contraction during that time. It was eventually sent to arbitration and settled for an undisclosed sum, permitting the move to Washington to take place. This happened notably after Loria, now owner of the Florida Marlins had received a significant financial boost after winning the World Series and Selig refused to permit the Expos to engage in September callups, effectively killing their chances at the playoffs.

 

When Loria bought the Expos, he presented himself as the franchise's savior. Just a few years later, however, he sold the team to buy the Marlins, taking everything with him he could sneak past customs, including computers, scouting reports, two complete sets of autographed jerseys, life-size cutouts of Vladimir Guerrero and a box of signed baseballs. It was as if he sent in Ruben Rivera for a final pass through the clubhouse.

Awesome.

 

 

Settling isn't admitting liability or guilt. It's a way to resolve the dispute without going to trial. Going to trial is expensive.

You guys assume Samson or Loria value the truth. Do we all forget about that RICO trial where the two of them were the defendants? Loria's goal in life is to get a stadium of his own on someone else's dime. If he doesn't think it will happen here he might as well as salt the earth here and make it look like lack of support not that it was his fault, thus he needs to seek a stadium elsewhere.

 

You are a creep beyond compare.

 

Both the mediator who first heard the plaintiff's complaint and then the court found their position was completely without merit and summarily tossed it out. To bring it up as if either of them were gulty of anything is low-life and morally bankrupt.

 

That's why they settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money right? :whistle I never said they were guilty but these guys are far from great. They walked out of Montreal with items in hand. I mean you want to think of these guys as the most innocent thing ever go ahead.

 

In 2002 the former minority owners of the Montr?al Expos baseball team filed charges under the RICO Act against Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria claiming that Selig and Loria deliberately conspired to devalue the team for personal benefit in preparation for a move. If found guilty, Major League Baseball could have been found liable for up to $300 million in punitive damages. The case lasted for two years, successfully stalling the Expos move to Washington or contraction during that time. It was eventually sent to arbitration and settled for an undisclosed sum, permitting the move to Washington to take place. This happened notably after Loria, now owner of the Florida Marlins had received a significant financial boost after winning the World Series and Selig refused to permit the Expos to engage in September callups, effectively killing their chances at the playoffs.

 

When Loria bought the Expos, he presented himself as the franchise's savior. Just a few years later, however, he sold the team to buy the Marlins, taking everything with him he could sneak past customs, including computers, scouting reports, two complete sets of autographed jerseys, life-size cutouts of Vladimir Guerrero and a box of signed baseballs. It was as if he sent in Ruben Rivera for a final pass through the clubhouse.

Awesome.

 

 

Settling isn't admitting liability or guilt. It's a way to resolve the dispute without going to trial. Going to trial is expensive.

 

I am not trying to say they are guilty. But I think people take these two at their words even though they really haven't earned it. Plus the people who charged them wanted their money back, I don't think they wanted them in jail or anything. So they settled out of court and they got enough money to make them happy, so the persecuting side got enough of what they wanted. Plus what happened is a lot different than:

 

Both the mediator who first heard the plaintiff's complaint and then the court found their position was completely without merit and summarily tossed it out