David Samson, yeah I know, had this to say yesterday.
With final voting on the Florida Marlins' long-sought ballpark less than two weeks away, club president David Samson says he expects near-capacity crowds nightly the first year in the team's new home, with annual attendance above 2 million for at least seven seasons. Such an increase for the attendance-challenged Marlins would allow them to climb into the middle of the major league pack in player payroll, Samson said Monday. "As soon as our revenues goes up, our payroll will go up," Samson said at a luncheon to promote the upcoming season. "In the new ballpark, our payroll will always match our revenues, but our revenues will be higher."
I don't have much of a problem believing that in the first year of the park, with it being new and all, the Marlins will see an increase in attendance. But for seven years with the attendance being above 2 million, I will believe it when I see it.
It is very possible that the economic downturn in South Florida will last for the next 5 to 7 years. Sorry guys, it is real possibility, and if that should happen, of course we hope it won't, getting people out to the park once the new has worn off could be a real challenge. Also, one should factor in the ticket prices, whatever they will be, But I'm guessing the prices will increase. Normally one would also consider the competitiveness of team in this equation of whether the fans will show. However, Beinfest and company usually field a competitive almost every year, so I don't think this is a concern.
But let's say Samson is right, yeah I know, hey, there is a first time for everything. What will they do with the new found wealth.
From the Sun-Sentinel Blog of Mike Berardino and Juan C. Rodriguez, we get this.
Marlins President David Samson reiterated during a media luncheon Monday that the Marlins will not change their philosophy when it comes to multi-year contracts. Increased revenue from the new ballpark will translate into higher payroll, but that doesn't mean they'll start locking up young players left and right. "Long-term deals are tough," he said. "You have to be right. And you know deals within the arbitration system will not change whether we’re in a new ballpark or not. We will never do that. You’re never supposed to say never, but I can unequivocally tell you we will never do that. Our view is players should earn what they get paid prior to being a free agent and arbitration is the perfect measure for that." --- Basically, the Marlins won't considering signing a player to a contract that only covers the arbitration years.
So if I'm reading this correctly, and there is no guarantee that I am, the Marlins with their, yet to be realized increase in revenue, will increase the payroll but not lockup young players to long term deals. In other words, the club will quit trading players, or at least some of them, when they become arbitration eligible and hold on to them through the arbitration years. If that is right, it is an improvement.
But it does beg the question: are the Marlins reverting back to the once they are about to become free agents, then they are traded? You know, what we used to do.
I realize this is just a mental exercise since the stadium hasn't passed, the fans haven't shown up in droves and we are listening to Samson. But I guess it is kinda interesting.