Posted November 17, 201113 yr So, there are a lot of tweets and articles being made and written, but they discuss the team generally and don't fit into a thread about any particular free agent. And now that there are actual articles being written about our team, maybe each one wouldn't need its own thread =] Anyway, I'm going to start by posting a tweet and a couple of articles that fit what I mean. Maybe there are parts that should be copied into the Pujols thread, for example, but the articles are more about the team than any individual. @JimBowdenESPNxm JIM BOWDEN Marlins have made offers to at least 6 free agents at about 75 cents on the dollar....but tix will sell because of FA approach.... 5 hours ago via web Marlins 'dead serious' about big offers Updated Nov 16, 2011 5:50 PM ET It’s no joke, folks. “We’re dead serious,� Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. The Marlins have made a nine-year offer to free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols at a “substantial� dollar amount, according to major-league sources. They also have made a six-year, $90 million offer to free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes and offered deals to free-agent left-hander Mark Buehrle and closer Ryan Madson, sources say. “This is for real,� Guillen said. “I don’t think this is a marketing thing. This is what (the Marlins) want. They’re trying to improve as quickly as they can. “This is not to show Marlins fans, ‘Look at how we’re trying.’ In the past, they’ve traded players . . . It’s not to show, ‘We’re trying, but we’re not going to do anything.’� No, they’re going to do something. These are not the same old Marlins, playing in an empty ballpark and antagonizing the players’ union by failing to use enough of their revenue-sharing money on major-league payroll. This is a franchise that is finally is prepared to take advantage of the vast resources that Miami offers as it moves into a new, downtown retractable-roof ballpark. Pujols and Reyes both are from the Dominican Republic. For a player from Latin America, Miami is the closest thing to home. But for a free agent, the money still needs to be compelling. “When you get paid, it doesn’t matter where you play,� said Guillen, a native Venezuelan who played shortstop for 16 seasons in the majors. “You’re also wanting to win; not every free agent is looking for money first. Put those things together, and that’s a plus. “For a (Latin) free agent in Miami, the only thing I can say is that you’re close to your family. And language is not as much of a barrier as it is in other places.� The climate doesn’t hurt, either. Reyes, who has spent his entire career with the New York Mets, no longer would play his home games in cold or inclement weather. The warm temperatures in Miami might help him avoid leg injuries, and the retractable roof in the new ballpark will help keep the field dry. Pujols has spent his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning two World Series. The Marlins haven’t reached the postseason since winning the 2003 Series, but they averaged 84 wins from ’08 to ’10 before falling to 72 last season. Put Pujols, Reyes and Buehrle on the team along with a healthy Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez, and who’s to say that the Marlins wouldn’t be a serious threat to win the NL East? Of course, Pujols, Reyes and Buerhle might command a combined $50 million per season, and many in baseball remain skeptical that the Marlins will sign one of them, much less all three. Many in baseball also are skeptical that the Marlins can sustain success in their new park, but this is their one chance to build momentum, to get it right. Guillen said the willingness of all three players to visit Miami speaks to their level of interest. The team’s presentations, by all accounts, were first-class, impressive, intriguing. Of course, the signing of even Reyes would not be accomplished without creating a certain amount of tension. The Marlins, if they sign Reyes, plan to move shortstop Hanley Ramirez to third base. But Guillen did not deny that Ramirez was opposed to such a move. “Listen, I don’t blame Hanley,� Guillen said. “I think Hanley, the last 10 conversations we’ve had, he’s been great, very good. “Hanley is going to show baseball fans who he can be. He is ‘The Man’ with the Marlins. He’s not a secondary guy. I don’t care if you sign a guy for a hundred years. Hanley is still the main core of the ballclub, the bigger piece of the puzzle.� Moving him to third base? “We let him know about it,� Guillen said. “So far, he sounds good. You’re not going to move your biggest piece to show how tough you are. We’ve got to talk to him, make him understand why the team will be better. “If Reyes is on our ballclub, I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ve talked to him a lot. This kid is going to be pretty special, you watch. You’ve got to show him some love. You’ve got to be straight-up with him, honest with him, let him know he’s a Marlin.� Being a Marlin hasn’t meant much in recent seasons. But if club officials accomplish even some of their goals, being a Marlin will be something special again. “They’re trying very hard,� Gullen said of his new bosses. And if they strike out? “I think everyone would be very disappointed.�
November 17, 201113 yr Author Marlins appear serious about Pujols Updated Nov 16, 2011 6:11 PM ET While many in the industry remain skeptical that the Marlins are sincere in their approach to free agency, the team’s offers evidently were not for show. The Marlins’ proposal to first baseman Albert Pujols was for nine years at a “substantial� dollar amount, major-league sources said Wednesday. The exact value of the nine-year guarantee is not known. The Cardinals offered Pujols a nine-year deal last spring in the range of $190 million to $200 million, according to sources. The Marlins also have offered shortstop Jose Reyes a six-year, $90 million contract and extended offers to left-hander Mark Buehrle and closer Ryan Madson, sources said. The Marlins’ payroll reportedly will increase to $80 million to $90 million next season in conjunction with the opening of their new ballpark in downtown Miami. But judging from the team’s offers, the club appears prepared to go substantially higher. The Marlins indeed want to sign both Reyes and Pujols, and are intent on also improving their pitching, starting and relief. Reyes and Pujols, meanwhile, view the Marlins as a viable option because of the team’s potential, the vibrancy of Miami and the proximity of the city to their native Dominican Republic. Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano, met with Cardinals GM John Mozeliak on Tuesday night at the general managers’ meetings in Milwaukee. The Cardinals likely will improve their initial offer to Pujols now that he is a free agent, but ultimately the first baseman might be faced with a choice — accept more from the Marlins or another team or less from the Cardinals. The Pujols sweepstakes likely will continue for several weeks as teams sort through their options. The Rangers, for example, might grow more interested in both Pujols and Prince Fielder if they lose their top free agent, left-hander C.J. Wilson.
November 17, 201113 yr Author He didn't cite a source, so that's his opinion, I suppose. I'm not sure how 6 years/$90MM for Jose Reyes is 75 cents on the dollar. That would imply that someone is giving him 6 years/$120MM, and the chances of that are slim, fat, and none.
November 17, 201113 yr Good thread, we needed one like this because now all info is found on twitter lol And yeah Spencer and Bowden have been consistently ruining my days lol
November 17, 201113 yr Spencer bothers me the most. Every single piece of news he has is negative. prefer the guys on the local paper to be homers. Matter of personal preference.
November 17, 201113 yr Quite frankly, considering that Loria stuck his neck out for about 20 extra million in '05 (and then promptly got it chopped off by horrible revenue) when he had only the very faintest dream of a new ballpark and new revenue, I don't doubt for a second that anything all the way up to the 120-130 million area is the real maximum, balls-out budget. Ticket sales have long been better than expected (a few hundred seats behind home plate pays for Reyes.) Merchandise sales are already better than expected, orange hats sold out instantly. The park-naming deal is supposedly worth about 6 million a year. The way that they're acting so far says that premium suite sales have been going very well. All signs point to enabling them to be very aggressive about acquiring talent based solely on the likely stadium revenue stream. Which is good, they're never again going to have another opportunity like this to build this franchise and attendance rapidly. But, THIS IS IT. They only get one shot to make a mark with the new stadium. So, what do you do if you're Loria? He's been thinking about this for literally years and now he's finally there, on the very cusp of realizing his ultimate dream of baseball ownership. And, I do think he cares fervently about winning, he's not just some miscellaneous hack owner who would be just as happy trying to make a buck in some other business. I think he tries to blow everyone away. Allocate a one-time '05-like shot of 20 or 30 or 40 million and go for all the marbles, or at least as many marbles as can be gotten within 120-130 million. Shock the living hell out the lame beat reporters and the cackling national media who are oh-so-sure that you're just bluffing to hype ticket sales. I think that he's prepared to spend a very large extra wad of cash this year to get deals done and pray that that helps to turn the new stadium into a huge cash-cow, enabling future spending. As Samson said, all of their alternate road-maps lead to the play-offs, no matter who says yea or nay along the way. Maybe the best indication that there may be some yet-unimagined and very serious money behind this whole idea is the offer to Madson. Since when do the Marlins make 40+ million offers to ANY reliever? Numb-nuts Oviedo (assuming he can even play anywhere in the US next year) at 4-5 million would be our 8th-inning set-up guy. That would also be unheard of, around here, anyway. They're necessarily gonna be coy until they're done, and I hope they don't waste any money, but I think they're gonna blow everyone away, top to bottom, left and right. I hope at least one of their plans works out, and it's not the one that says "we didn't get anyone or make any trades," because this is it, time to step up, do or die. Since Loria has been salivating for this chance for a long, long time and he knows what he wants, prepare to be amazed.
November 17, 201113 yr spending a ton of money to capitalize on this once in a lifetime opportunity? that would make the most sense and that's what we're all hoping for, yeah, but Samson's said a couple of time's the payroll's probably not gonna get to $100mil so don't get too excited.
November 17, 201113 yr Author spending a ton of money to capitalize on this once in a lifetime opportunity? that would make the most sense and that's what we're all hoping for, yeah, but Samson's said a couple of time's the payroll's probably not gonna get to $100mil so don't get too excited. There are plenty of reasons why Samson would say that, and of course the most logical is that it's the truth. However, it's also perfectly reasonable that he is saying it to maintain at least a shred of leverage with these Free Agents. Their agents aren't dumb, and they know the Marlins are desperately to make a splash, so the player agents have a bunch of leverage. IMO, the FO is likely trying to walk a line between hyping up the fanbase while trying not to lose all leverage in negotiations. That quote could very reasonably be such an attempt.
November 18, 201113 yr Author @Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal Loria on whether are FAs are serious about #Marlins: "All you have to do is look at (new) ballpark and you won't even ask those questions."
November 19, 201113 yr Author Miami Marlins making uncharacteristic noise at GM meetings Although their offer to Albert Pujols may not be high enough, the Marlins are no longer being deemed as undesirables. By Clark Spencer MILWAUKEE -- While the Marlins have offered Albert Pujols a nine-year contract, two major-league sources said it is well below the $200 million figure that the Cardinals previously offered their star first basemen. “The [salary] number doesn’t have a “2� in front of it,� one source said. In other words, landing Pujols is probably a bit of a long shot for the Marlins. But, with more money to spend than ever before, the Marlins spent the final day of the general managers’ meetings on Wednesday continuing to pursue other high-profile free agents while also talking to teams about potential trades. This much is certain: The Marlins aren’t being treated like second-class citizens at these annual gatherings anymore. “There aren’t poachers after us,� said Marlins president David Samson. “Every year we’ve had to deal with poachers — and I say that with all respect — and sometimes we got poached. But, this year, the poachee is becoming the poacher.� Said Admin Beinfest, the Marlins’ president of baseball operations: “Everybody would come after our higher-priced guys. A team asks for Hanley [Ramirez] every year. But not this year.� Beinfest said the team is being approached by many agents of players wishing to play for the Marlins, who are no longer deemed undesirables and are receiving much more attention. “We’re just not used to it as much,� Beinfest said. “We’ve stated the payroll is going up, so everybody wants the money. There have been a number of agents who have said they have players ... that want to come here. I just think it’s the general excitement. It’s [new manager] Ozzie Guillen.� The Marlins are expected to start the season with a payroll ranging from $85 million to $100 million, though Samson said it could go higher. About half of that amount is already taken up in the form of commitments to six players: Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Omar Infante, Randy Choate and John Buck. Pujols could end up receiving as much as $25 million annually, which would all but put him out of the Marlins’ price range. But the Marlins believe they can afford other big stars, such as shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle and reliever Ryan Madson, among others. They’ve made offers to all three. They’ve also had discussions with the agent representing left-handed starter C.J. Wilson and right-hander Roy Oswalt. The Marlins offered Reyes a six-year deal for slightly less than the $90 million that was originally reported. Marlins officials won’t confirm the offers, but they’re eager to make a signing so that they can begin piecing together the roster. “I’d like to not talk and read about it,� Beinfest said. “I’d like to do some stuff. Let’s just do some stuff.� Some free agents might wait until December to sign. Though they’ve been aggressive so far, the Marlins might leave these meetings without making a big splash, as they did last year when they dealt Dan Uggla to Atlanta for Infante and Mike Dunn. “We just have a lot of things going and, maybe if we do something, the rest of it will come together,� Beinfest said. “But I think a lot of teams are like that now. Everybody’s been feeling each other out.� http://www.miamihera...l#ixzz1e7cTbpFQ
November 19, 201113 yr Author Most likely, the Marlins will look to add a starter through free agency, and obtain another via trade. Miami covets Tampa Bay's James Shields and Oakland lefty Gio Gonzalez, who grew up in the Miami area. In past years, the Marlins were reluctant to part with their top prospects in making trades. That stance has changed as the team is willing to make the necessary moves for established players in hopes of becoming a contender next year. That's just a clip from a longer article here: http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111118&content_id=26001466&vkey=news_mia&c_id=mia I didn't think the article had much to add to what we already have heard, otherwise.
November 19, 201113 yr Sign Buehrle and trade Morisson+ prospects for Gonazlez. 1. JJ 2. Gio 3. Sanchez 4. Buehrle 5. Nolasco Could even trade Nolasco and slot say Zambrano in the 5th spot.
November 19, 201113 yr Sign Buehrle and trade Morisson+ prospects for Gonazlez. 1. JJ 2. Gio 3. Sanchez 4. Buehrle 5. Nolasco Could even trade Nolasco and slot say Zambrano in the 5th spot. trading ricky and taking on zambrano would make no sense as zambrano is making double what ricky is. theo epstein also sounded like he was going to keep zambrano. we would be better off trading gaby than morrisson.
November 19, 201113 yr Sign Buehrle and trade Morisson+ prospects for Gonazlez. 1. JJ 2. Gio 3. Sanchez 4. Buehrle 5. Nolasco Could even trade Nolasco and slot say Zambrano in the 5th spot. trading ricky and taking on zambrano would make no sense as zambrano is making double what ricky is. theo epstein also sounded like he was going to keep zambrano. we would be better off trading gaby than morrisson. Obviously in that scenario the Cubs would eat most of his contract. And you're not getting Gio Gonzalez for Sanchez.
November 19, 201113 yr Spencer bothers me the most. Every single piece of news he has is negative. prefer the guys on the local paper to be homers. Matter of personal preference. This. Clark Spencer has always been a hater. Dave Hyde - hater. The Joes are the good guys. I get my day-to-day Marlins news from Capozzi and Frisaro.
November 19, 201113 yr Sign Buehrle and trade Morisson+ prospects for Gonazlez. 1. JJ 2. Gio 3. Sanchez 4. Buehrle 5. Nolasco Could even trade Nolasco and slot say Zambrano in the 5th spot. trading ricky and taking on zambrano would make no sense as zambrano is making double what ricky is. theo epstein also sounded like he was going to keep zambrano. we would be better off trading gaby than morrisson. Obviously in that scenario the Cubs would eat most of his contract. And you're not getting Gio Gonzalez for Sanchez. The A's are playing for the future. So while LoMo may be a more attractive piece, I think a deal involving Gaby, Matty D (assuming we get Reyes), and possibly Chad James would be worth listening to. Maybe throw in Tom Koehler if the A's are looking for more pitching or Kevin Mattison if they're looking for a bat.
November 19, 201113 yr The most likely scenario, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, has Miami signing one pitcher in free agency and trading for another. Frisaro pointed out that Miami "covets" James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland A's. [...] Regardless, Gonzalez would still require a strong package, including at least one young power bat, which has been a weakness on the Athletics' roster. Marlins' left fielder Logan Morrison may fit that mold, but there are indications that Morrison is not going to be shopped this winter. - http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/features/rumors
November 19, 201113 yr The most likely scenario, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, has Miami signing one pitcher in free agency and trading for another. Frisaro pointed out that Miami "covets" James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland A's. [...] Regardless, Gonzalez would still require a strong package, including at least one young power bat, which has been a weakness on the Athletics' roster. Marlins' left fielder Logan Morrison may fit that mold, but there are indications that Morrison is not going to be shopped this winter. - http://insider.espn....features/rumors A young, meat of the lineup, left-handed bat is nice to have - considering Logan hasn't reached his prime yet. I'd hate to see him blossom in another uniform. That being said, I believe the Marlins have plenty to offer. Considering they are willing to fill holes through free agency and trades, why not sell high on some of these prospects, packaged with Major League players w/ base salary control. Given the A's history, they would want a lot of club controlled young players in return, generally arms. Here is what I think we have to offer: Arms: Ceda BHand Volstad Nolasco (too much $ for Oakland) Koehler Sanabia West Oviedo The remainder of our Farm Dangle Cogs and Dominguez, possibly a few more players - Peterson, Skipworth (classic low risk, high reward), Wes Helms ghost You think a combination of any of those 4/5 would get a deal done to bring Gio back to SoFla?
November 19, 201113 yr The most likely scenario, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, has Miami signing one pitcher in free agency and trading for another. Frisaro pointed out that Miami "covets" James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland A's. [...] Regardless, Gonzalez would still require a strong package, including at least one young power bat, which has been a weakness on the Athletics' roster. Marlins' left fielder Logan Morrison may fit that mold, but there are indications that Morrison is not going to be shopped this winter. - http://insider.espn....features/rumors A young, meat of the lineup, left-handed bat is nice to have - considering Logan hasn't reached his prime yet. I'd hate to see him blossom in another uniform. That being said, I believe the Marlins have plenty to offer. Considering they are willing to fill holes through free agency and trades, why not sell high on some of these prospects, packaged with Major League players w/ base salary control. Given the A's history, they would want a lot of club controlled young players in return, generally arms. Here is what I think we have to offer: Arms: Ceda BHand Volstad Nolasco (too much $ for Oakland) Koehler Sanabia West Oviedo The remainder of our Farm Dangle Cogs and Dominguez, possibly a few more players - Peterson, Skipworth (classic low risk, high reward), Wes Helms ghost You think a combination of any of those 4/5 would get a deal done to bring Gio back to SoFla? Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see... Haha sorry, I had to. Most of the pitchers and players you mentioned are definitely expendable. I'll reserve judgement on Nolasco and Peterson until Buehrle and Cespedes make their decisions.
November 19, 201113 yr The most likely scenario, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, has Miami signing one pitcher in free agency and trading for another. Frisaro pointed out that Miami "covets" James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland A's. [...] Regardless, Gonzalez would still require a strong package, including at least one young power bat, which has been a weakness on the Athletics' roster. Marlins' left fielder Logan Morrison may fit that mold, but there are indications that Morrison is not going to be shopped this winter. - http://insider.espn....features/rumors A young, meat of the lineup, left-handed bat is nice to have - considering Logan hasn't reached his prime yet. I'd hate to see him blossom in another uniform. That being said, I believe the Marlins have plenty to offer. Considering they are willing to fill holes through free agency and trades, why not sell high on some of these prospects, packaged with Major League players w/ base salary control. Given the A's history, they would want a lot of club controlled young players in return, generally arms. Here is what I think we have to offer: Arms: Ceda BHand Volstad Nolasco (too much $ for Oakland) Koehler Sanabia West Oviedo The remainder of our Farm Dangle Cogs and Dominguez, possibly a few more players - Peterson, Skipworth (classic low risk, high reward), Wes Helms ghost You think a combination of any of those 4/5 would get a deal done to bring Gio back to SoFla? Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see... Haha sorry, I had to. Most of the pitchers and players you mentioned are definitely expendable. I'll reserve judgement on Nolasco and Peterson until Buehrle and Cespedes make their decisions. i think hand, ceda, gaby, and maybe like a daniel jennings or someone like that would get gio.
November 19, 201113 yr Author A young, meat of the lineup, left-handed bat is nice to have - considering Logan hasn't reached his prime yet. I'd hate to see him blossom in another uniform. That being said, I believe the Marlins have plenty to offer. Considering they are willing to fill holes through free agency and trades, why not sell high on some of these prospects, packaged with Major League players w/ base salary control. Given the A's history, they would want a lot of club controlled young players in return, generally arms. Here is what I think we have to offer: Arms: Ceda BHand Volstad Nolasco (too much $ for Oakland) Koehler Sanabia West Oviedo The remainder of our Farm Dangle Cogs and Dominguez, possibly a few more players - Peterson, Skipworth (classic low risk, high reward), Wes Helms ghost You think a combination of any of those 4/5 would get a deal done to bring Gio back to SoFla? Most of those arms are utterly unimpressive. Koehler, Sanabia, Sean West? Why would the Athletics give up a great SP who's not that expensive yet for fringe starters and unproven relievers? Volstad is much worse than Gio, and won't cost that much less. Same for Oviedo, who may not even be allowed back in the MLB. Hand projects to be a back-end starter if he works out. Coghlan is injury prone and hasn't shown anything since his rookie year. Skipworth is awful. Petersen has minimal upside. Dominguez is the only 1 in that group that has decent value, and even there, opinions around the league seem to be a mixed bag - some doubt he can be an average MLB starter, while others see above-average upside. Chad James needs to be in any trade with a prayer of working, but it's still doubtful without us including someone from the big-league roster.
November 19, 201113 yr Author i think hand, ceda, gaby, and maybe like a daniel jennings or someone like that would get gio. Not even close. Plus, Jennings was awful last year and has a PED 50-game suspension under his belt.
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