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According to a report by Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Cuban free agent slugger Jose Dariel Abreu has reduced his list of suitors to the Astros, White Sox and Red Sox. You will notice the absence of a certain Miami baseball team that was reportedly "all-in" on the first baseman.
Hechavarria was tabulated as the Marlins’ shortstop from day one this season. Adeiny came over from the Toronto Blue Jays during the blockbuster offseason trade and was viewed as a defensive wizard with a work-in-progress bat. He was expected to possibly mature into a potential 2-hole hitter and provide the Marlins with baserunners and speed. Unfortunately, Hechavarria showed that he is still a long ways away from even being competent with a bat in his hands. His slash line was .227/.267/.298. Regardless of your defensive prowess, those numbers are not acceptable.
-Chicago Cubs: Steve Bartman's spokesman blasts Harry Caray restaurant boss - Sun Sentinel
As the 10-year anniversary of the most talked-about moment in Cubs history approaches, it turns out everyone was wrong all along. Touching the famous foul ball in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series wasn't the worst thing to happen to Steve Bartman. Having it auctioned for more than $113,000 and blown up on TV was worse, leading to bitter feelings between the world's most vilified Cubs fan and the head of a restaurant group bearing the name of the team's most beloved announcer.
-Butler adds multi-faceted expertise to Marlins - Sun Sentinel
The Miami Marlins want to improve their overall bunting acumen. The means to that end: Adding arguably the best bunter in baseball history to their coaching staff. Within hours of receiving permission from the Arizona Diamondbacks to speak with Triple-A manager Brett Butler, the Marlins were on the phone. They flew Butler to New York to meet with owner Jeffrey Loria, manager Mike Redmond and the new brass. By dinner, the Marlins made him an offer. Not only did the Marlins land a 17-year major league veteran to Redmond's 2014 staff, they gained an outfield and base running guru as well. Butler also will man the third-base coaching box, a role he's filled the last eight seasons while managing in the Diamondbacks' system.
-Marlins Park Will Host a College Football Bowl Game Next Year
College football may finally be coming back to the land where the Orange Bowl stood for decades. According to ESPN, a new bowl game tentatively titled the Miami Bowl we be played in Marlins Park starting in 2014.
-Marlins get 2 new coaches for 2014 | www.palmbeachpost.com
The Miami Marlins have announced the team's 2014 coaching staff. According to a news release Friday, manager Mike Redmond will be joined by two new coaches. Brett Butler has been named third base/outfield coach, and Frank Menechino will be the new hitting coach. Returning from 2013 are bench coach Rob Leary, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez, first base/infield coach Perry Hill and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius.
-Hanley Ramirez turns into team player extraordinaire with Los... | www.palmbeachpost.com
This was Hanley Ramirez as an inspiration. This was a much different Hanley Ramirez than the one who in seven seasons with the Marlins was too often a clubhouse malcontent and sometimes lazy afield. But he’s a Los Angeles Dodger these days – happily traded by the Marlins during the 2012 season – and spent Monday night playing Game 3 of the National League Championship Series … with a broken rib on his left side.
-Miami Marlins hire ex-MLB star Brett Butler to teach small ball - Miami Marlins - MiamiHerald.com
Whether it was long ball or small ball, it made no difference to the Miami Marlins last season. They ranked last in the majors in home runs and — at the opposite end of the spectrum — bunt hits. Brett Butler harbors no illusions of curing the power deficiency. But the Marlins are counting on Butler, an exceptional bunter and base runner over his 17-year major-league career, to help get the ground game going in an attempt to cure the team’s scoring woes. "I think it’s all about attitude," said Butler, a 56-year-old overachiever the Marlins hired last week as third-base coach in charge of bunting, base running and outfield defense. "I think once they buy into it, it’s easier to teach."
-Manager Mike Redmond wants Miami Marlins' offense to do little things right | marlins.com: News
During the interviewing process, new Marlins hitting coach Frank Menechino made an impression with his energy and enthusiasm. When Spring Training gets underway in February, the Marlins are hopeful Menechino's message will help their young squad improve on the little things that often produce big results.
-Inbox: Will Giancarlo Stanton become face of Miami Marlins? | marlins.com: News
Stanton is eligible for arbitration for the first time, and his salary will jump from $537,000 to somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million. The front office has been considering offering Stanton a multiyear deal. Soon, we will find out if the Marlins are serious about locking up the slugger or simply signing him for 2014. What does seem certain is the club plans on keeping Stanton for next season. On the last day of the season, new president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Stanton is a big piece of the team's plans. With that said, there figure to be plenty of rumors regarding Stanton after the World Series. All indications are the Marlins want to build around him. Even if Stanton doesn't want to sign a multiyear deal, he isn't a free agent until after 2016. Miami could sign him on a season-to-season basis until then.
Around The League
The Tigers are in the ALCS for the third year in a row, thanks largely to Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. But they still haven't won it all in nearly three decades, and if they can't bring it home this year, it's not unfair to ask if the window is closing for this era of the team.
-St. Louis Cardinals want to get Carlos Beltran into World Series | MLB.com: News
Seven times, Carlos Beltran has played a game in which a win meant a trip to the World Series. Seven times, his team has lost, including the Cardinals' 6-4 loss to the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday.
-In familiar place, St. Louis Cardinals embracing sense of urgency | MLB.com: News
They play for a manager that preaches the importance of the moment, and perhaps there has never been a more appropriate time for the Cardinals to resist looking back.
-Nolan Ryan steps down as CEO of Texas Rangers | MLB.com: News
Nolan Ryan is stepping down as chief executive officer of the Rangers, effective at the end of the month.
At Fish Stripes
-2013 Marlins Season Review: The other outfielders - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins employed a few other outfielders in 2013, but Chris Coghlan and Jake Marisnick, among others, may not find any room in a crowded 2014 situation based on their 2013 Major League stints.
-2013 Marlins Season Review: Jose Fernandez - Fish Stripes
About the only thing that went extremely well for the Marlins in 2013 was the stellar performance of rookie Jose Fernandez.
Juan Pierre, who played several roles throughout the course of 2013, is thankful for the opportunities the Marlins have given him throughout his career. Pierre is unsure whether he will return in 2014.
-2013 Marlins Season Review: Ricky Nolasco - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins knew Ricky Nolasco was not long for the team, but his half-season with the Fish was among his best stretches as a Marlin since 2008.
-2013 Marlins Season Review: Ricky Nolasco-Dodgers trade - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins traded Ricky Nolasco to the Los Angeles Dodgers and chose not to pay any of his salary. In return, the Fish got a number of questionable minor league pitching arms. How did they do in 2013?