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Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton made it clear that the Marlins need to avoid another rebuild phase. Stanton told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports that he doesn't want to go through another rebuilding process with the organization.
"I don't want to rebuild. ... I've lost for seven years," he said to Heyman.
The ball is now in your court, Derek Jeter and company.
Stanton has expressed his displeasure for the message the front office was sending since the trade of closer AJ Ramos in July. Stanton has never been a part of a playoff team and is tired of seeing the Marlins’ rinse, repeat process in their efforts to build a team from within. All signs point to Miami cutting payroll, regardless if that puts a “rebuild” title to it.
In early September, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that a potential investor who had been briefed on the new owners' plans said they planned to cut payroll from $115 million to around either $85 million (if Stanton is not traded) or $55 million (if Stanton is traded).
Stanton will make $25 million in 2018. If Miami keeps him on the roster and limits the payroll to $85 million, the Fish will only have about $60 million for the remaining players. How do the Marlins plan to keep Stanton and still put a competitive team on the field? They don’t.
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This speaks volume to the fans who have waited for a winning product for years now. Another rebuilding process just as Miami shows signs of building a competitive team? Is it an appropriate time for Derek Jeter — the owner who seemingly makes every baseball-related decision — to fire former greats like Jack McKeon and Jeff Conine from their small roles in the front office, and then trade arguably the biggest star in Miami sports right now?
Stanton doesn’t want to wait for that answer. In fact, he’ll make it easy for you, Jeter. You want to come in and clean house while selling us on another rebuild?
¡Hasta luego, Miami!
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