Ramirez, Marlins close on 6 year, $70 million deal

“As we get closer to the stadium, those things will change,” owner Jeffrey Loria said in March.

Now it’s likely Ramirez will still be with the Marlins when they move into the new ballpark in 2011. His deal would be the most lucrative in franchise history, topping the $61 million, six-year contract Gary Sheffield signed in 1997.

So… he’ll get traded after the Marlins win the 2009 World Series?

MLB: Source: Hanley to sign six-year deal

According to a high-ranking Major League Baseball source, the Marlins have reached a tentative agreement on a six-year, $70 million contract with their star shortstop. The deal is not expected to be formally announced for at least a few days.

Sun-Sentinel: Hyde: Miguel Cabrera misses ex-team and ex-teammates

And my plunging fantasy team misses Miquel Cabrera.

Don’t take this wrong. Cabrera likes Detroit. Likes his Tigers teammates. Thinks they’re going to be a good team. And, let’s be honest, this is the normal feeling-out process between a player and his new city, especially when the team is losing.

But, since he’s asked, yes, he misses the Marlins. And, since he’s asked, he never wanted to leave. And, since he’s asked, he still doesn’t believe they had to part with him.

“They called when they traded me and said, ‘We don’t have the money to pay you,’” he said. “...That’s the excuse they give. They have money.

“At first, I didn’t like [that] they traded me. But after a while you get used to it. It’s a business.”

Pitcher Analysis: Andrew Miller

An analysis of Andrew Miller’s pitching mechanics in addition to his minor league statistics to determine whether or not he was prematurely rushed to the majors by Detroit…

Ex-Marlin Conine Takes On New Sport

Triathlon, meh...I’m sure Bob Seagren would kick his ass.

Jeff Conine retired last fall from major-league baseball after a 17-year career.

He was 41.

Then he thought, “What am I going to do now?”

“And then I started thinking seriously about doing an Ironman triathlon, something that had been in the back of my mind,” he said. “I guess guys in my position are supposed to take it easy. But I have no desire to take it easy. I like the idea of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles at Hawaii’s Ironman world championship in October.”

Beinfest works magic for Fish | NewsChief.com

Is Beinfest a magician, a genius, or a magical genius?

Loria ought to be embarrassed.

But he has Beinfest.

And Beinfest’s genius.

FOX: Rosenthal - Baby Boss could cost Yanks their GM

If Cashman wished to stay east, he could replace Phillies GM Pat Gillick, who is expected to retire. Or, Cashman could return to D.C., where he attended Georgetown Prep and Catholic University, if the Nationals chose to replace Jim Bowden. Why, Cashman could even stay in the AL East if the Blue Jays dismissed J.P. Ricciardi, who has two years left on his contract.
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So here’s the question: Is [Frank] Thomas finished?

“He looked like he was on rollerblades, sliding all over the box,” says a scout who saw him recently. “His balance was poor. His bat speed was poor. His approach was poor. He was only hitting changeups — that was the only ball he could get to.”

Still, scouts were saying much the same thing about Thomas, who turns 40 on May 27, in the early parts of each of the past two seasons. One GM says he finds it difficult to believe that Thomas no longer could contribute coming off a 26-homer, 95-RBI season.
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The Diamondbacks, already loaded with young talent, are discussing how to proceed with right-hander Max Scherzer, who opened the season by pitching 17 scoreless innings at Class AAA, striking out 29 and walking only three. Club officials initially believed that Scherzer could emerge as an impact reliever this season, but want him to remain a starter for as long as possible. Scherzer represents insurance for the rotation if Randy Johnson fails to stay healthy or Doug Davis returns slowly from surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid.

Sun-Sentinel: Jorge Cantu disputes woman’s claim

If it concerns Jorge Cantu...it must be an error.

Third baseman Jorge Cantu and his agent both insist a domestic violence matter won’t interrupt his season.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Cantu has a Wednesday court date in Pinellas County stemming from a temporary protection order filed against him earlier this week. St. Petersburg resident Nanci Michelle Ikerd alleged she sustained bruises to her left biceps and was verbally threatened Feb. 8.

..."After their investigation we’ll see what comes out,” Cantu said.

Added Steve Canter, Cantu’s agent: “The charges are false. We’re going to respect the legal process here and let it work itself through. He’s not going to miss any time. This won’t interfere with baseball in any way.”

Palm Beach Post: Braves’ power prevails against Marlins

Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann connected for consecutive home runs off Ricky Nolasco as part of a five-home run assault on the Marlins.

“It’s tough when you put your team down so quick like that,” Nolasco said. “It’s tough for any team to come back from something like that.”
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Facing Jones [in the fifth], Nolasco went ahead 0-2 in the count before the Braves’ third baseman sent a drive into the right-field seats.

The next batter, Teixeira, worked the count to 2-2 before he sent a Nolasco fastball into the same area.

McCann capped the surge with a long home run to center that made the score 6-0.
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The last time a Marlins pitcher allowed three straight home runs was April 27, 2004, at Colorado, when Darren Oliver gave up homers to Jeromy Burnitz, Charles Johnson and Matt Holliday.

Forbes: 2008 MLB Franchise Valuations

[insert your favorite year] [insert your favorite owner’s name] “These figures are preposterous!”

Upshot: Team owners are getting rich like never before. During 2007, revenue for MLB’s 30 teams went up 7.7%, to $5.5 billion. The average team is now worth $472 million, 9.5% higher than last year and 143% more than when Forbes first calculated team values in 1998. Again the Bronx Bombers sit atop baseball with a value of $1.3 billion. George Steinbrenner, who paid $10 million for the team in 1973, could probably teach Warren Buffett a thing or two about investing.

Consider this: The Yankee brand (the portion of the team’s value attributable to its name) alone is worth $241 million, almost as much as the entire Florida Marlins franchise. When the Yankees move into their new stadium in 2009 the team will be worth at least $1.5 billion because of the rich bounty of sponsorship and premium seating revenue.

Historical listing of the Forbes valuations from 2002 to 2008

Baltimore Sun Blog: Ordine: Marlins have five A-Rods (do the math)

Ordine! Ordine!

We are headed into a world of Sabermetrics here that would be sure to send Bill James over the edge but here goes.

How come, we wondered, the Florida Marlins are 8-5 on the young baseball season and the New York Yankees are 8-7 when the Yankees have one player who is so terrific, Alex Rodriguez, that he makes more money than all the players on the Marlins combined?  Reportedly, the Yanks are paying A-Rod $28 million while the entire Florida roster makes less than $22 million.

Well, we looked at the stats through the first few weeks of the season and here’s the reason—for less than what the Yankees are paying Ridriguez, the Marlins have five players whose average performance is just as good as the bazillion-dollar man.

A-Rod is having a decent start—he’s batting .300 (18-for-60) with three home runs and 8 RBIs.  Meanwhile, the Marlins who have a similar number of at-bats compared to A-Rod (48 or more) are batting a combined .282 (71-for-252) with an average of exactly three home runs (15 total) and 7.6 RBIs (38 total).  The five are Hanley Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham, Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla.  Not exactly Murder’s Row but on average, about the same production as A-Rod.

And you get five of them.

Palm Beach Post: Trade hasn’t hurt Marlins in standings

They’re watching the standings in both leagues. They see that they’re in first place and the Detroit Tigers are in last place. There’s a feeling of pride, for sure, but no one on the Marlins is gloating.
...
More than four months later, it is the Marlins who are off to a 7-5 start with 21 home runs, which are tied with Arizona for most in baseball, and the Tigers who are in last place with just two wins.
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They’re encouraged that their own batting order has shown early signs it can survive without Cabrera’s big bat.

“We all talk about it - it’s not just one guy to pick up the slack. It’s got to be everybody. We have a team that can hit home runs, whether Miggy’s in the lineup or not,’’ said first baseman Mike Jacobs, who leads the team with five.

Last year, the Marlins hit a franchise record 201 home runs, with 34 coming from Cabrera.

“Miggy was a real big part of that, but not the biggest part of that,’’ Hermida said. “You lose Miguel Cabrera, you can’t ask one guy to fill his shoes. That’s unfair because he’s probably one of the best hitters in baseball. So you do it collectively, as a lineup.’’

Swing Overhaul: The Adjustments of Marlins Prospect Chris Coghlan

A scouting report on the adjustments made by Florida Marlins prospect Chris Coghlin from the time he was drafted to his 2007 season:

Thoughts about his draft swing - upright stance with a lower body action that is not condusive to power; a knee twist (frame 7) that is meant to open his hips, though the hips open up too soon and he doesn’t do a good job shifting his weight forward into foot plant.  His swing is short, but he makes contact a little too far out in front.  In frame 14, you can see how much “extension” he gets out in front, which is a trait that won’t generate much power.  Also take note of his swing plane, which is pretty linear without much loft.

Compare to his swing from last year in the Sally League All-Star Game:

He has bounced back well from a poor showing in Single-A Jupiter last year:

.345/.406/.517/.923 line so far in AA-Carolina.

2 Think Good—Bad Grammar, Worthy Goal: Florida Marlins Profit & Loss Financial Statement

What’s harder than being a Marlins fan? Being a Marlins fan, a CPA, then trying to make sense of their financial status using Forbes and Excel. 

Palm Beach Post: Marlins, Spitzer enjoy D.C.’s infamous Mayflower

Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins’ star shortstop, stepped outside the team hotel on his way to lunch when a tour bus screeched to a sudden stop on Connecticut Avenue. Pressed against the windows, dozens of passengers aimed their cameras and snapped away. But they weren’t photographing Ramirez. They were shooting the hotel’s stately entrance with its famous sign - The Mayflower.
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The grande dame of D.C. hotels ... has become a tourist magnet since federal investigators said then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer booked Room 871 to rendezvous with a prostitute.
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The Marlins, who tonight resume their three-game series against the Nationals, are the first baseball team to sample Spitzermania. Few players were amused.

“I can’t believe a tour bus would stop because that’s where the governor did his thing,’’ pitcher Scott Olsen said. “You have the White House and the monuments and the Capitol, and they stop at the Mayflower? That’s ridiculous.”

Catcher Matt Treanor joked that he was staying in the room where Spitzer’s alleged $4,300 tryst took place. Treanor actually was staying one floor below. Room 871 is temporarily off-limits, according to a desk clerk who did not want to be named, because visitors were knocking on the door and disturbing guests.
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Two weeks ago, the “871” placard on the door disappeared. “We’re keeping an eye on eBay,’’ said Joseph Cardone, the hotel’s resident manager.

AP: Florida Marlins call up right-hander Burke Badenhop from Double-A Carolina

With a name like that, this is getting its own thread…

The Florida Marlins purchased the contract of right-hander Burke Badenhop from Double-A Carolina before their game against the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
...
Eventually, Badenhop probably will move into the Marlins’ starting rotation. “We’d like to get him an inning or two, get his feet wet, before we throw him in his first major league start,” [Fredi] Gonzalez said.

Badenhop replaced Rick VandenHurk on Florida’s roster.

AP: Florida Marlins acquire third baseman Wes Helms from Philadelphia Phillies

The Florida Marlins acquired third baseman Wes Helms and cash from the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later on Saturday night… The Phillies had designated Helms for assignment on Wednesday, and had 10 days to either trade him or put him on waivers. The 31-year-old Helms, who opened last season as the starting third baseman for Philadelphia, is due $2.9 million this season.
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To make room for Helms, the Marlins designated Jason Wood for assignment.
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Helms batted .246 with five homers and 39 RBIs in 280 at-bats last year in Philadelphia.

Miami Herald: Uggla ready to strike when Ramirez walks

Uggla protection?...Usually that job falls to a Lenny Montana or Sheldon Leonard type.

In both instances, Dan Uggla, who hits behind Ramirez, made the final out of the inning. And if Uggla doesn’t come through, Ramirez can expect to see more intentional walks.

‘’It’s fine with me. I’m going to make them pay,’’ Uggla said. ``Obviously, if other teams start to do that, too, then I’m going to have all kinds of opportunities with runners in scoring position and two out.

``It worked out [for the Mets on Tuesday], but if they keep doing it, it’s going to burn them. . . . There’s going to be more RBI opportunities.’’

...Giving intentional walks to Ramirez is a little unconventional because he is a leadoff hitter and has so much speed (102 stolen bases during his first two seasons). And Uggla is not the prototypical No. 2 hitter.

‘’Our No. 2 guy is not a No. 2 guy,’’ Gonzalez said. ``Our No. 2 guy is a No. 3 guy. If you pitch around [Ramirez] and put him on, our No. 2 guy can hit the ball out of the ballpark.’’

Sun-Sentinel: Berardino: Bill James likes Wright; we’ll take Ramirez

If he could have any player in baseball to start a franchise, Morley Safer wanted to know, whom would James pick? Without hesitation, James named Mets third baseman David Wright. “Because he does everything I like,” James explained to a television audience of 13.4 million, “and he’s very young.”

Apprised of this with the Mets in town to open their season, Wright flashed his red-carpet grin and took gentle exception with James’ choice.

“Obviously it’s flattering, but I think undeserved,” Wright said. “I don’t necessarily view myself in the same way, but for a guy like that that’s respected with the numbers and the handbooks, it’s obviously humbling and something that I’m proud to be viewed that way.”

...At 24, Ramirez is a full year younger than Wright, and it was James himself who taught us just how important that is.

Batting average? That’s a wash, with Hanley (.312 career) ahead by a single point.

On-base percentage? Wright, at .388 for his career, wins by 19 points, mainly because he’s averaging 23 more walks per season than Ramirez.

Defense? Wright won a Gold Glove last year, but only four third basemen exceeded his 21 errors. Ramirez won no fielding awards, but he made only three more errors than Wright while playing a more demanding position.

YIKES!

MLB: Attempted burglary mars Robert Andino’s night

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”.........Thank you Mr. Daltrey, now you can go back to singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and round’.

Shortly after hitting a walk-off home run in the 10th inning on Tuesday night, Marlins infielder Robert Andino’s Miami home was the scene of an attempted robbery, according to TV station CBS4.

Andino’s agent, Michael Maulini, told the South Florida television station that someone tried to break into Andino’s house on Tuesday night, but nothing appeared to be missing.

A Miami native and second round Draft pick of the Marlins in 2002, Andino delivered his first MLB home run on Tuesday night to push the Marlins past the Mets, 5-4.

After the game, Andino quickly left the Marlins clubhouse to head home to make sure his wife, family and home were safe.

Marlins $21 Million Payroll is Insulting

The Marlins got $600 million in public money for a new stadium and amenities. They can’t just brush the subject of their embarrassing payroll under the carpet anymore and hope no one notices. As much as they want to, they can’t just keep saying, “This is all we can afford until we get our new stadium.”

Um, no.

These owners get $30 million in revenue sharing from other teams, which neither H. Wayne Huizenga or John Henry got in their tenures. They also get $30 million in local and national TV money. All that before selling a ticket.

So you do the math.

You figure if they can afford more than a $21 million payroll.

Someone is finally starting to pay attention to how things are coming up a bit...short.

Mid-Level to Top-10 - Who Makes the Jump?

An analysis of under the radar, mid-level prospects that have a chance to move into their organization’s top-10 prospect list.

The list includes Bobby Parnell (Mets), Logan Morrison (Marlins), Zach Phillips (Rangers), Jose Martinez (Cardinals), David Hernandez (Orioles), Dustin Richardson (Red Sox), and Bobby Henson (Orioles).

Of these players, David Hernandez should be the most interesting to watch.  He was the Carolina League leader among pitchers with 65+ innings in K% and displayed above average command/control.  However, he was too hittable last year and we’ll have to see if a change in approach (throwing change-ups to right-handed batters, something he did not do last year) works for him.

Palm Beach Post: [Luis] Gonzalez might start in Marlins opener

But with right fielder Jeremy Hermida possibly headed for the disabled list, [Luis] Gonzalez has a chance to extend his streak of 17 opening days in a row in the starting lineup. If Gonzalez starts in right field Monday in Florida’s season opener, that will give him 18 straight opening days as a starter. Only Gary Sheffield of the Tigers has a longer streak, which will hit 20 if he starts Detroit’s opener.
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For Gonzalez, it would be his first career start in right field after 2,455 career games primarily in left field.

“Even though I’ve never played out there in an actual big-league game during the season I’m up for the challenge,’’ said Gonzalez, who started in right field Wednesday against the Mets.

“I’ve never had the arm to play right but now for me it’s really working with (shortstop) Hanley and (second baseman Dan) Uggla. They know that. I’ve already talked to them. Just get (the ball) to them as quick as I can.’’

MLB: Marlins want Hanley Ramirez to focus on power rather than speed

As hundred’s of Roto-geeks leap from their basement window!

Asked if Ramirez was primed for another 50 stolen base season, Gonzalez said: “I hope not. The reason being, the more your body gets banged up—the wear and tear. He’s a guy who hits .300, he hits you 30 [home runs], and has a chance to drive in a lot of runs. I’m scared, because the more you attempt to steal, even if you don’t steal, you’re diving back to first base. You’re getting beaten up pretty good.

“He can handle it now, being as young as he is. Hopefully, the home runs go up and the stolen bases go down.”

Rather than see Ramirez risk injury stealing bases, Gonzalez enjoys watching his shortstop sprinting from first-to-third, or first-to-home on hits. “We’ll see,” Gonzalez said. “If he has a chance to steal 50, as long as he’s not beaten up, we’ll see.”

Hitting leadoff, Ramirez has the green light to steal, but the team has instructed him to hold as well. “There are times that we’ve shut him down, depending on the series,” Gonzalez said. “Some teams have three or four guys who control the running game.”

PB Post: Minor-league manager Dean Treanor used to chase drug dealers as ‘undercover narc’

Hash Pie Treanor?

Long before he became Marlins minor-league manager Dean Treanor, he was known on the central coast of California as heroin dealer Mike Jackson.

Others back in the late 1970s and early ‘80s might have known him as the Cal Poly student who peddled marijuana, or as the businessman with a taste for cocaine. Beneath the disguises was a former pitching prospect who would return to baseball after an unusual detour as a narcotics detective with the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

“I was an undercover narc,” Treanor said matter-of-factly recently on a back field at Roger Dean Stadium. “I bought it all, from heroin on down. A lot of cocaine.”

Today, Treanor’s shaggy hair and beard are long gone and his No. 1 mission is to help minor-leaguers reach the majors. But there are still reminders - including an intimidating gaze and penchant for profanity - of the street-wise officer who helped the Drug Enforcement Administration work cases three decades ago.

Palm Beach Post: [Jose] Castillo’s future with Marlins now uncertain

Jose Castillo thinks he has given the Marlins this spring what they told him they wanted when he signed in December - solid defense at third base. That’s why he was surprised that the Marlins placed him on waivers, a move that could lead to his departure just nine days before the season starts.

“The management said try for good defense. I think it’s been a good spring for me for defense. Very good,” said Castillo, who signed a split-contract Dec. 24 that will pay him $650,000 with the major-league team but $150,000 if he goes to the minors. “I’m surprised that I was put on waivers. I don’t know what my situation is right now. I’m working hard. I want to stay here. I’m happy here.”

The other candidate to start at third is Jorge Cantu, another free-agent signee over the winter, who is hitting .431 this spring.
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Gonzalez, who also praised Cantu’s play, said several factors could affect his decision on the starter at third.

“It could come to the bat, to the defense, how he fits to the team, how he fits in the locker room,” Gonzalez said. “Is one of them better off the bench than the other? There’s more stuff than just the bat and the glove.”

One factor the Marlins might be considering is how Castillo would accept sharing the job with Cantu. During his past two years in Pittsburgh, Castillo’s attitude became an issue.

Marlins’ Willingham out to improve against lefties—South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Whereas Ramirez (.399) was tops among NL hitters with at least 150 plate appearances against lefties, Willingham brought up the rear of that 40-player list with a .218 average. Expand the parameters to 100 plate appearances and Willingham ranked 82nd out of 86 National Leaguers.

Reggie Abercrombie in 37 at-bats hit as many homers (two) off left-handers as Willingham did in 133 turns.

“I knew the stat,” Willingham said. “I’d always hit well against them, so I was like, ‘What’s the problem?’ I couldn’t pinpoint anything.”

Small sample size.

Willingham's Career Splits
          BA   OBP   SLG   OPS
vs. RHP .272  .354  .472  .826
vs. LHP .264  .378  .473  .851

2006 splits
vs. RHP .269  .334  .451  .785
vs. LHP .299  .411  .619 1.030

Marlins’ Fredi Gonzalez sets high bar for Uggla

Dan Uggla and the HOF??...Not while Don “self-Worthless-flagellation” Pavletich is on his Similar Batter list!

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez made a claim Tuesday that was, well, a little out there.

‘’What he’s done in the last two years,’’ Gonzalez said, ``[if] he does that another 10 years, we’ll be talking about a pretty good career—maybe Hall-of-Fame-type numbers.’’

‘’He’’ is second baseman Dan Uggla.

As in . . . Hall-of-Famer Dan Uggla?

‘’I don’t know about that,’’ Uggla said with a laugh Tuesday, before going 1 for 4 with a double and a run in the Marlins’ 2-1 loss to the Dodgers. ``But to be able to stay healthy and put up those numbers for 10 years would be a lot of fun, that’s for sure.’’

MLB: Conine to sign with Marlins, retire

The Crystalization of baseball is spreading…

Fittingly, Mr. Marlin will ultimately retire as a Marlin.

According to a source, Jeff Conine, one of the most popular players in Florida history, will sign a one-day contract on March 28, and then retire as a member of the Marlins.

Nicknamed “Mr. Marlin,” the 41-year-old was a member of the team’s inaugural roster, and he enjoyed two stints with the organization. A versatile performer who mostly played first base and the outfield, he was a vital part of the franchise’s World Series titles in 1997 and 2003.

Conine, who resides year-round in South Florida in Weston, is scheduled to sign his one-day contract March 28, when the Marlins play an exhibition game against the Yankees at Dolphin Stadium.

ESPN / AP: Braman says Marlins stadium should be privately financed

MIAMI—Art and wine collector, philanthropist, luxury auto dealer, former owner of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Now Norman Braman can add this: staunch opponent of a giant $3 billion public works deal that includes a long-sought stadium for baseball’s Florida Marlins.

Braman is suing to stop Miami’s so-called “global agreement” in its tracks, contending it was illegally hatched in secret and improperly uses money intended to cure urban blight and help poor people. Braman wants voters to decide projects of such magnitude, rather than politicians.