Marlins’ Quiet Trade Deadline Fueled by Front Office’s Confidence

[floridafly]

http://www.marlinsba...n-current-club/

 

^ That's the easier to read version. Down below is the easier to get to version. The choice is yours.

 

 

 

 

The Florida Marlin’s 2011 campaign started off the same way as the previous year – a playoff guarantee from the front office and a promising month of April leading fans and critics alike that the upstart Marlins might actually fulfill the lofty expectation. From there the similarities continue, although with an adverse effect for the fan base.

 

Both teams had their worst month of the season in June. The 2010 squad went 11-15 while the current was a historically bad 5-23. As a consequence, Beinfest & Co. didn’t feel the team would have a realistic shot at contending during the seasons and remained mouse-like at the July 31st trade deadlines.

 

Not contending? Maybe. But not having the tools to become a World Series winner again? Far from it.

 

“While we had a bad June, the nucleus of this team is the nucleus of a championship team,� Team President David Samson said, echoing the thoughts of personnel and players alike. “We were interested in adding to this team, not taking away,� Beinfest claimed. “We were interested in only non-rental players — players we could keep this year and at a minimum into next year.�

 

In fact, players once thought of as rentals or tradeable pieces now express interest in remaining with the Marlins once they make their transition into the new stadium next year and beyond.

 

The much inquired upon Omar Infante told reporters before the deadline that he would like to remain with the Marlins next year, although acknowledging that he could very be dealt. “I want to come back, but I understand it is a business,� Infante said. Later he added, “We’ve got a young team. I think next year we should be better. They will have a new stadium, and they will look for other players too. They are looking for starting pitching. I think next year will be better,� which echoes the Front Offices’ sentiments exactly. Infante did in fact stay put, and suitors such as the Pirates and his former team, the Braves, were turned down.

 

Leo Nunez found out that the game is not only a business, but a hotbed for pranks. Trade rumors have been circling the Marlins’ closer since the offseason, and four months after April Fools’ Day, Nunez was led to believe he had been traded right after accruing his 30th save of the season – to the non-contending Chicago Cubs of all places. Jack McKeon called Leo into his office and laid the faux news on him, to the amusement of his teammates. But the solemn conversation soon gave way to levity as the clubhouse couldn’t contain their laughter. “I’m here until the Marlins want. My desire is to stay here, but those are decisions the bosses make. I’d like to stay here. I feel good and have confidence with all my teammates.�, said Nunez after the prank.

 

That confidence may be well founded since Leo’s value was at an all-time high. Not trading him indicates a special spot in the bullpen will be reserved for the current Marlins’ closer in the new Ballpark in 2012.

 

If Omar Infante and Leo Nunez are wearing the unknown uniform color of the Miami Marlins in 2012, they will be joining a core of young players that have been increasing in ability each year so far. Logan Morrison is having a bit of a sophomore slump, but not in the power department. After hitting 2 longballs in 244 At-Bats last year, he has connected 16 times in 332 this year. 1st Baseman Gaby Sanchez is proving the Marlins right for not trading him in the offseason, becoming the lone All-Star on the team. He currently leads all first basemen in the NL in Fielding Percentage and holds his own offensively. Marlins slugger Mike Stanton’s name is spreading like wildfire across the nation. Tales of his 550+ foot batting practice home runs as well as his unlimited potential awe broadcasters, players, and fans alike. And finally, Emilio Bonifacio not only leads the team in average, but finally uses his roadrunner speed to steal bases and his new found patience at the plate to draw walks at a constant clip.

 

While some Marlin diehards are disappointed that no moves were made to get prospects, we should all be rejoicing. This is not the same team that is ready to firesale at any moment to think of the future. This is not the same team that will not shell out any more than 5MM a year for any contract, as evident by the Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, John Buck, and Javier Vasquez deals in the past couple of years. The tides are finally turning and they’re sweeping old stereotypes out to sea. As Scott Stapp would attempt to sing, “Keep hoping and dreaming and you…will soar!

With a little faith and love, you will soar!�

 

Let’s just hope the Miami Marlins christen in their new stadium with a better anthem. Perhaps Logan Morrison’s rendition of “I’m Too Sexy� will fill the dark blue seats in 2012.

[Erick]

It was great until the Scott Stapp reference. Seriously though, nice read. Good use of quotes, too.

[SilverBullet]

It was great until the Scott Stapp reference. Seriously though, nice read. Good use of quotes, too.

 

 

I was thinking the exact same thing. Killed it with the memory of that stupid song.

[FishFan88]

Good but needs some reorganization and compacting.

 

I think you need to get to your headline faster; i'd combine the paragraphs about our june record and Samsons quotes about the championship nucleus. Put those first, and eliminate any talk about 2010; that season is long over and has nothing to do with the headline. Since the headline is about FO's confidence; i'd think your readers would be better served with more than one quote from the FO. After the first Samson paragraph, you'd do well to sprinkle the quotes throughout, perhaps in regards to whichever player(s) your paragraphs are focusing on. I'd also rework the Infante mention; or flesh it out. It's awkward to have a statement mention "much inquired upon" but only have one sentence. Who inquired? Why didn't the FO move on him? When did he decide he wanted to stay? Why? And forget mentioning Joe Frisaro; you're the one writing the article. Mentioning someone else talking to someone else waters down your credibility and opinions.

[floridafly]

Good but needs some reorganization and compacting.

 

I think you need to get to your headline faster; i'd combine the paragraphs about our june record and Samsons quotes about the championship nucleus. Put those first, and eliminate any talk about 2010; that season is long over and has nothing to do with the headline. Since the headline is about FO's confidence; i'd think your readers would be better served with more than one quote from the FO. After the first Samson paragraph, you'd do well to sprinkle the quotes throughout, perhaps in regards to whichever player(s) your paragraphs are focusing on. I'd also rework the Infante mention; or flesh it out. It's awkward to have a statement mention "much inquired upon" but only have one sentence. Who inquired? Why didn't the FO move on him? When did he decide he wanted to stay? Why? And forget mentioning Joe Frisaro; you're the one writing the article. Mentioning someone else talking to someone else waters down your credibility and opinions.

 

 

Alright I fixed the Infante "paragraph". That was pretty sloppy. And then took out the Joe Frisaro reference. Thanks!

 

Also, its so hard to get quotes. You pretty much just have to scour other articles and play vulture haha.

 

I'm actually going to try to contact the Marlins somehow and see if there's any support they can give me as a team writer or something. This website is pretty popular and I know the team is aware because of that interview with Admin. Plus I always hear emails from people on FishStripes. Worth a shot, right?

[floridafly]

Also I changed the title to "Marlins’ Quiet Trade Deadline a Result of Confidence in Current Club" so it wouldn't be focusing so much on the Front Office.

[FishFan88]

You know, I got my favorite band to play in my living room simply by banging on their door and asking...i imagine if you're ever at a game you can go to the right places repeatedly and ask a thousand questions......persistence is funny eh???? cheers! =)

[floridafly]

You know, I got my favorite band to play in my living room simply by banging on their door and asking...i imagine if you're ever at a game you can go to the right places repeatedly and ask a thousand questions......persistence is funny eh???? cheers! =)

 

 

I sent a message to the Marlins through the website. God knows if anyone with any real power reads it or takes it seriously, but its worth a shot. I imagine I'll be at a few games in these upcoming weeks (can't wait for the San Fran series) so I might be able to inquire around up there.

[FishFan88]

have you asked Admin?? He seems to be well connected, and really generous with his time on the board. He might be able to help.

[floridafly]

have you asked Admin?? He seems to be well connected, and really generous with his time on the board. He might be able to help.

 

 

I haven't asked him but I name-dropped him in my email. I'm sure he won't mind. I just mentioned that he had an interview with Craig and was the owner of the site.

 

And still no response, so I'll give it a couple of days. Then when I'm wandering around the ballpark sometime this week, I'll ask around and see where that gets me.