Miami has amassed quite a stable of major league level pitching in their farm system. After the breakout success of Jose Fernandez and the emergence of Henderson Alvarez and Nathan Eovaldi, it has been natural for teams to call inquiring about the availability of a young arm or two via trade.
While the Miami Marlins continue their search for players who can help out their infield, they’ve made a decision regarding the leadoff hitter for 2014. When they signed veteran infielder Rafael Furcal, they were aware of the risk they were taking. The man missed the entire 2013 season as he had to undergo Tommy John surgery, but knew what the man was capable of.
Times are good, money-wise at least, for baseball. Major League Baseball hit record revenue levels in 2013, according to Maury Brown at Forbes.com. MLB will exceed the $8 billion mark for the first time and could reach as high as $8.5 billion, according to the report. Revenue is up from last year’s mark, which exceeded over $7.5 billion.
-Livan Hernandez bidding adios to '97 World Series ring, MVP trophy | Fish Bytes
Hernandez isn't the only former athlete with items on the auction block. The jersey worn by Duke's Christian Laettner when he made the "The Shot" against Kentucky ($100,000 reserve), Rabbit Maranville's 1914 World Series ring, Jackie Robinson's 1947 Rookie of the Year Award ($50,000 reserve) and Jim Thorpe's moccasins are among the many items being auctioned.
-Miami Marlins sign free agent third baseman Casey McGehee - Sun Sentinel
The Miami Marlins have landed a free agent from the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Pacific League. No, not Masahiro Tanaka. After weeks of sifting through free agent and trade options for third base, the Marlins settled on Casey McGehee. In 2013, McGehee re-discovered his swing with the Golden Eagles and earned a guaranteed $1.1 million salary with the chance to earn more based on incentives.
-Livan Hernandez auctioning Marlins 1997 World Series MVP Trophy, ring - Sun Sentinel
Livan Hernandez’s 1997 World Series Most Valuable Player trophy can be yours. Some of Hernandez’s major league memorabilia is up for grabs as part of the Lelands.com Fall 2013 Catalog Auction, which closes Jan. 10.
-Inbox: Will Miami Marlins ink Giancarlo Stanton to long-term deal? | marlins.com: News
Whether to sign Stanton long term or for just 2014 remains one of the biggest stories of Miam's offseason. The club has yet to reach out to Stanton's representatives about a multiyear deal. Perhaps that will happen once the focus turns to signing the arbitration-eligible players. The deadline to exchange salary figures is Jan. 17. The Marlins have a longstanding policy of reaching agreement by that date or having the salary decided at a hearing. I wouldn't rule out a long-term contract being extended, but at this point, it appears the most likely scenario is Stanton will be signed only for 2014.
As if having one of the most dominant pitchers in the game in right-hander Jose Fernandez is not quite enough, the Marlins will one day welcome the very talented left-handed Andrew Heaney to their rotation. Fernandez and Heaney, Miami's No. 2 prospect and MLB.com's No. 49 overall prospect, may well form one of the best top-of-the-rotation tandems in baseball. But not just yet.
Around The League
-Angels near one-year deal with Raul Ibanez | MLB.com: News
The Angels are close to a one-year deal with 41-year-old designated hitter Raul Ibanez, according to multiple published reports.
-Cincinnati Reds reportedly agree to Minor League deal with pitcher Chien-Ming Wang | MLB.com: News
According to the Focus Taiwan News Channel, veteran right-hander Chien-Ming Wang has agreed to a Minor League contract with the Reds. The Reds have not commented on a possible agreement.
-Mike Bauman: Reloaded Cardinals remain contenders yet again | MLB.com: News
The St. Louis Cardinals have followed up winning the National League pennant by winning in the 2013-14 offseason. They have been so good this offseason, they didn't even have to wait for the "14" portion to make their best moves. To briefly review, the Cardinals in 2013 won the NL Central, led the National League in victories with 97 then won the NL Championship Series over the Dodgers. The only thing the Cardinals didn't win was the World Series, but as we speak now, the Cardinals today are a better team than the one that finished the postseason in Boston.
-Ruben Amaro Jr. confident Phillies core will produce in 2014 | MLB.com: News
The Phillies have spent the past several weeks tweaking a roster that lost 89 games last season, because they already had hundreds of millions of dollars committed to a core that includes Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Cliff Lee, Jonathan Papelbon, Carlos Ruiz and Cole Hamels. They simply have to hope those players -- most of whom are 34 or older -- stay healthy and produce throughout the entire 2014 season.
At Fish Stripes
-Fish Bites: Where Do We Go From Here? - Fish Stripes
After an active start to the off-season, the Marlins are still looking to improve their overall team including their third base position. Also, this piece is centered around other various topics surrounding Miami.
-Miami Marlins sign free agent infielder Casey McGehee to one-year contract - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins signed infielder Casey McGehee to a one-year contract on Wednesday afternoon. McGehee is expected to become the Marlins' starting third baseman.
-This Day In Marlins History: Johnson returns to Marlins with five-year deal in 2000 - Fish Stripes
On this day in team history, free agent catcher Charles Johnson signed a five-year deal with Florida, marking a return to the Marlins for the player who was the franchise's first-ever draft pick in 1992. Johnson would be traded away again in 2002.
-Reactions to Miami Marlins signing of Casey McGehee - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins signed free agent infielder Casey McGehee to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Here are some reactions from around the league.
-Casey McGehee signing: Marlins make low-cost, upside signing - Fish Stripes
There is a chance that Casey McGehee turns out to be as bad as he was in the majors in 2012. The Miami Marlins are only paying $1.1 million to find out, and that is a reasonable cost.