I just don't see how this could happen. If we can't afford to have Bonds, Cabrera, Willis on the same team, trading Willis to accommodate Bonds when pitching is our problem makes no sense. Also why would we waste our money on one year of Bonds when that money could be placed aside for a ballpark/cabrera. Now unless Loria can tell us he has enough money to sign Cabrera longtem, keep Willis for 08, and pay for a new ballpark, signing Bonds would make no sense. Not that this seems at all likely to me anyway.

 

Because Bonds = ticket sales, Willis doesn't, not anymore and certainly not in that amount.

I think it's pretty clear that in Loria's current business model stuffing his puckets with money is more important than ticket sales. Just look at the last firesale. I doubt the added revenues from a Bonds signing would make up for his ~$15 million salary and for the loss in revenue sharing. Also remember that the increased revenues from ticket sales would decrease Loria's revenue sharing check.

 

But it does something no amount of money in your pockets can do-- show the fans the team cares. Looking forward, the Marlins need to start building momentum within the fanbase and non-fans for the opening of a new park. Starting this offseason (pending the stadium deal) the Marlins need to forget the short term benefits of not spending money and start looking at the long term and the team's financial picture 3-4 years down the road in a new ballpark.

 

Signing Bonds may be the start of the second Renaissance.

I just don't see how this could happen. If we can't afford to have Bonds, Cabrera, Willis on the same team, trading Willis to accommodate Bonds when pitching is our problem makes no sense. Also why would we waste our money on one year of Bonds when that money could be placed aside for a ballpark/cabrera. Now unless Loria can tell us he has enough money to sign Cabrera longtem, keep Willis for 08, and pay for a new ballpark, signing Bonds would make no sense. Not that this seems at all likely to me anyway.

 

Because Bonds = ticket sales, Willis doesn't, not anymore and certainly not in that amount.

I think it's pretty clear that in Loria's current business model stuffing his puckets with money is more important than ticket sales. Just look at the last firesale. I doubt the added revenues from a Bonds signing would make up for his ~$15 million salary and for the loss in revenue sharing. Also remember that the increased revenues from ticket sales would decrease Loria's revenue sharing check.

 

You're going to try to spin finances to me?

 

Yeah, anyway, the Marlins can't be sustained solely by MLB in excessive amounts and expect to get a new ballpark. There has to be some feeling of legitimacy to this franchise to justify protection from MLB and support from a near bankrupt state in Florida. 900 people watching a game in September isn't going to do this.

I'll believe Loria will begin to spend the revenue sharing money only after he begins to spend it and not before.