The Marlins staying in Florida to be evaluated

by craig on Dec 7, 2007 8:57 AM EST in News and Rumors

Well, nothing gets past these guys. It turns out the Marlins "having to" unload their two best and most popular players at the ages of 24 and 25 may be an indicator of a problem.

You think?

Major League Baseball "will take a long, hard look" in the next two months at whether the Marlins can survive in South Florida, President Bob DuPuy told ESPN Radio on Thursday.

After trading away their two biggest stars, the Marlins could have a payroll of less than $15 million next year while the New York Yankees could top $190 million.

DuPuy, the No. 2 man to Commissioner Bud Selig, was asked on the Mike & Mike Show how MLB can allow such disparity when baseball is enjoying record profits and revenue sharing.

"That kind of ratio is unhealthy,'' DuPuy said, while noting that opening-day rosters won't be set for months.

He can't actually believe that between now and April 1st the Marlins are going to add a big ticket name to the roster. If he does, I will offer him a great deal to buy Key Largo. I may even go all out and print out the deed instead just of writing it on the back of a cocktail napkin.

He goes on.

DuPuy also said: "Under our collective-bargaining agreement with the players' association, clubs have an obligation to use the money they're receiving from revenue sharing to improve their product on the field. We do look at that each year.

"I'm not talking about the Marlins specifically, but we do look at that each year with regard to all of the clubs receiving revenue sharing." DuPuy said. "You want clubs to be able to rebuild, but you also want them to retain their stars and their franchise players as well."

Oh, that is working like a charm in South Florida. Come to think about it, I guess one out of two isn't bad. The club has perfected the rebuilding part, it's that other part that seems to evade the organization.

There is a major problem when a team trades their best and most recognizable name players in their early to mid-twenties.

As a writer in Colorado put it.

Imagine if the Rockies traded Holliday and Tulowitzki for six prospects.

Fans would be in an uproar, leading to fewer spectators at the ballpark, less concessions sold and no money earned from parking, because, well, once again nobody would show up.

Sounds like the Marlins to me.

But never fear MLB thinks they know the answer.

DuPuy says the answer to the Marlins' survival is a ballpark with a retractable roof. But for seven years, the team has been unable to get financial help from local and state leaders.

At one time, in the right location, that would have probably helped. Attendance would've most likely increased and in the process creating a new revenue stream for the organization. But with this last trade, that ship has sailed.

You can build it....but they won't come.

One thing I have learned about the good people who live in South Florida is that once you violate their trust, it's extremely difficult to get it back. They all seem to live by the motto: Once a philosopher - twice a fool.

But never worry about what the fans think, one revenue source is reporting it expects to remain constant.

790 The Ticket general manager Howard Davis, whose station acquired Marlins rights, said the trade of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis ''doesn't give us any concern,'' cracking the Marlins ``weren't that popular with Cabrera and Dontrelle.''

I have run out of time. I was going to cover the financial aspect next and then close. But I can't. Oh well, it stands as is.

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Comments

Concerning the Colorado quote...

"less concessions sold and no money earned from parking" kind of highlights how little people understand about the current stadium situation, since the team gets practically nothing from concessions and nothing from parking anyway.

by dan 2.0 on Dec 7, 2007 11:29 AM EST reply actions

ballpark

I think it needs to be underscored how much the ballpark experience lends to the credibility of a team. There really is no aura surrounding the team when they play in dolphins stadium. They're just tenants. A couple years back I went to Comerica to actually watch the fish play the tigers. Middle of the week game, but the stadium was crowded. But the feeling was what got me. It just feels different. I cannot explain it. But I feel like a stadium would be extremely beneficial. And although I'd hate to see the OB go, I'd love to see it replaced with a state of the art ballpark to house an up and coming squad that is loaded with young talent that will mature extremely well within the next couple years. There will be corporate ticket deals a plenty and even if people dont show up, season ticket sales should rise dramatically.

by GMFB on Dec 7, 2007 1:59 PM EST reply actions