Your All-In-One Miggy-Trade-Rumor Recap

(FOXSports)

Former Fish News

Devon White is now 'roving minor-league outfielder coordinator' for the Nats. (WashTimes)

And... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUDGE!

Marlins' Spring Home Schedule Released

They have one game against the Red Sox, and seven against their stadium-mates. (TCPalm)

No Puerto Rico

At least for the moment, the Mets-Marlins series in P.R. has been 'shelved'. (FishStripes)

More Mets-Marlins Meldings

Besides opening the 2008 season against the Mets in Florida, the Fish are now scheduled to be playing the last regular-season game at Shea Stadium; meanwhile former Marlins radio guy Jon Sciambi is being mentioned for the now-vacant Mets radio job. (NYDailyNews)

Things I Piled Into One Post

First, to continue a theme from the last post, HAPPY BIRTHDAY WALT! (Geez, I hope I don't make this a habit, but with the posting doldrums of the offseason I may not control myself.)

Second, in a revelation/accusation that unfortunately did not surprise old cynical me, former Marlins head trainer Larry Starr says he started noticing players using steroids way back in 1984, and that "there were some players on the Florida Marlins' team that won the franchise's first World Series in 1997 that used steroids."

Third, in a side story but one that may still involve drugs and unfortunate cynicism, the lead singer of Quiet Riot, who played in the last Super Saturday of this year, was found dead on Sunday.

RETRACTION-ON-NUMBER-TWO: Starr tells the Sun-Sentinel,"I don't know if it was misinterpreted the way I said it or it came out wrong, but I would definitely say the '97 team, there wasn't one guy that really stood out in my mind at all as a possible user." (Damn, all that cynicism gone to waste...)

Tim, Robb and Andre's on HOF Ballot

(Fish@Bat)

BY-THE-WAY: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBB!

STILL-MORE: John B. points out a 'Tim Raines for HOF' site, and makes his own solid case for Raines' enshrinement. (TheProgenitorOfSGB)

Where The Loyalties Lie

Jeffrey Loria's Marlins have reportedly decided to cut back their share of the cost of a new stadium by about $30-40 million because they say they won't make as much money at the Orange Bowl site as they would've Downtown (not that they won't be making Any money, mind you; sure, they'll be making money, just not as much as their hearts had desired). While all this is going on, though, Jeffrey just ups-and-gives $20 million to his old alma mater to build a building, with the reasoning he gives being, "I could afford it".

Bye Bye Todd

Linden signs a minor-league contract with the A's and has been invited to spring training. (sacbee.com)

Thanksgiving Weekend With Mr. Brattain

Just so we don't forget what's really happening with the Marlins, here's a quick taste of his fog-clearing perspective:

"If a team can¹t survive in the Miami market, it is not because its size (around top 12-15 of MLB marketplaces), it¹s not because of the stadium, or the product (two World Series champions), or the weather. It is because it has dealt with some of the most inept, corrupt, purulent, incompetent obnoxious management this side of Enron.

"They are so far into overdraft in their goodwill account in South Florida it will take years to get it into the black...." (Click Here for More!)

New Blog

It's been on my list for a while, but there's been some interesting stuff lately on the Marlins Maniacs blog, from looks at the performances of Uggla and Fredi to coverage of the Bonds business.

The Halos Say Hello to Torii - Is Miggy Next?

The "somewhat perplexing" signing of Hunter by L-A-of-A prompts the speculation that this was a prepatory move designed to loosen enough prospects to swing a deal for Cabrera. But Angels general manager Tony Reagins says, "No, this doesn't have any bearing on any other moves..I like our club today. If Opening Day started tomorrow, I'd be ready to go."

Cody Being Eyed by Japanese Team

Ross would reportedly be possibly sought after by the Hanshin Tigers if they are unable to acquire Detroit's Marcus Thames. (DugoutCentral)

Catcher Notes

The Fish apparently haven't made an offer for Yorvit yet. Meanwhile, the Marlins' former bullpen catcher (and last year's Hammerheads manager) will now be catching instructor and bullpen coach for the Pirates.

Getting Closer to Moving Day?

The last time a Jeffrey-owned club played in Puerto Rico he ended up cashing out and taking the light fixtures with him. Guess what team's now in the final stage of talks to play some regular-season hurricane-season games at the Expos' former part-time home field? (Hint: rhymes with 'No-More-of-da-Marlins'.)

OOPS-SORRY-JEFFREY: My bad - I had forgot that Loria sold the Expos and bought the Marlins the year before Montreal played in San Juan. Still though, 2 years after the Expos played in Puerto Rico, they weren't the Expos anymore. I just got caught up in the omninousness of it all.

Marlins' New Cheapskate Offer Revealed - Soccer Stadium Getting Closer

'The Marlins, who offered $207 million toward a $500 million-plus stadium (mostly in rent payments), have dropped that by "$30 million to $40 million," Miami city commissioner Joe Sanchez said. (That is because the site changed from downtown to the Orange Bowl.) "It's very frustrating. My patience is running thin."' (MiamiHerald)

Isotopes "Top Overall Franchise in Triple-A Baseball"

Albuquerque gets the Bob Freitas Award from Baseball America, and Scott Seabol and Robert Andino are on the 2007 Topps/Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star team. (ObserverOnline)

Someone Else Wants the Orange Bowl Site

'Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber included Miami among the nine cities being considered as future expansion sites during his annual state of the league address on Friday in Washington, D.C.

'Speaking in advance of Sunday's MLS Cup final, Garber said he has had "preliminary discussions" with Miami Mayor Manny Diaz that focus on "a facility in the Orange Bowl area," which is also being considered as a possible site for the Florida Marlins.

'"We are aware we were not successful in the past in South Florida," said Garber, alluding to the Fusion's failure to survive at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. "We learned our lesson. We know where we need to be, and we need to be closer to where our fans are."' (SunSentinel)

Guess Which Former Marlin...

...made Number Nine on Beegs' list of the "Top 10 Dirtiest Names In Sports."

Meanwhile, Back at the Factory....

Mr. Jeffrey the Art Dealer may (or may not) have trouble keeping up
with even his penny-pinching Marlins payroll if the prices rich folks
are willing to pay for art works keep tumbling (or not tumbling).

(URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AbcNews_TopStories/~3/185274052/story)

Wiley's Ideas For 2008

(MLB)

Miguel: Wherever I Be At, I Ain't Gonna Be Fat

With trade rumors flying in all directions, Cabrera's working out at a gym in Venezuela, trying to get himself at least in better condition than last season's 'collectable' Miggy giveaway doll.

Nats a Boon for Boones?

"(T)he Marlins have spoken to the agent for infielder Aaron Boone, who batted .268 in 60 games for Florida before his season ended in September with a knee injury. The Nationals are interested in Boone, who would reunite with his father. Bob Boone, the retired All-Star catcher who managed the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds, works in Washington's front office." (PalmBeachPost)

MetsGeek Interviews Juan C. Rodriguez...

...and gets a pretty good overview of the mainstream thinking on what offseason moves the Marlins will make. (MetsGeek)

Get 'Um While They're Young

In this article detailing the ways South Florida sports teams are auctioning off more up-close-and-personal experiences between fans and players, Marlins senior group sales account executive Mario Signorello explains perhaps the only way to build a fan base in a town of carpetbagging transplants: "A lot of people weren't born here. If you can't change their favorite baseball team, let's go after this generation of kids, so when they grow up, they can drive themselves to a game."

Fish@Bat Goes 2-for-2

Fish@Bat posted a couple of good articles recently. First, a essay on the possible advantages of trading Miggy. And second, on Broward County, who couldn't find a way to fund a new stadium for the Marlins, but has now opened up a brand new stadium for... what?

Tampa Bay Turns into Brilliant Beams of Light

The team un-devils and de-fishifies itself, and is now officially the 'Rays', as in sunrays, which fans may be seeing during games if plans to build an new Open-Air-But-Covered stadium to replace the Trop come to be. (Since those plans now require that infamous $60 million tax credit from the state, I wouldn't hold your breath, even though the governor lives just down the street.)

Parallel Time

I just noticed that I missed the third anniversary of this blog. And the first article that I linked to amazingly still exists. (And it's almost as if it could have been written yesterday.)

Marlins HAVE Played in the Orange Bowl

But it was the "International League's Miami Marlins (who) played Columbus in 1956 in a transformed OB, in which the dimensions were 216 feet down the right-field line, 250 in left and 375 to center." (PalmBeachPost)

Meeting's Over...

...and the Marlins still have Cabrera (even though they are trying to trade him, which they shouldn't), and they're still looking for a catcher.

Mike Berardino Praises Beinfest's Deal-Making Abilities

"If nothing else, Marlins fans (both of them) should take solace in that." (SunSentinel)

Marlins Fans' Abandonment Issues Continue

MLB Prez DuPuy is closer to chucking the whole idea of a team in South Florida, saying this is a "market that hasn't necessarily embraced the team despite two world championships", while, at the same time, the Marlins once again offer up their top player to the highest bidder. (MiamiHerald)(InsideBayArea)

Marlins Sign Franchise-Saving Player

Forget A-Rod or Johan - this press release makes the signing by the Marlins of Willie Glen of the Gary Southshore Railcats sound like the Second Coming of Cy Young. (And who knows, maybe...)

Professor Rick To Do His Magic on Willis?

The man who helped turn Victor Zambrano into what he is today may be unleashed on Dontrelle. According to this blurb, "New Florida GM Michael Hill could be more willing to move left-hander Dontrelle Willis than Larry Beinfest was. The Mets could be interested in Willis if they believe that pitching coach Rick Peterson can help him solve what has created a disappointing two seasons." (NYJournalNews)

2007 End-of-Season Slump Just Hangovers From the Weekends?

After the 2007 All-Star break, the Marlins had a .500 record in games played on Saturday and Sunday. In fact, in games played from Thursday to Sunday they had a not-too-terrible 21-23 record. The rest of the week? - phooey! They went 8-21, did not win any Monday games, and won only 3 of 11 Wednesday games.

Thanksgiving Came Early

Beinfest was saying earlier in the week that the Marlins would take a while to decide on a pitching coach - but as it turned out, they took a Wiley. Mark signs up again for another stint, and gets the impression that the team will be keeping Willis and Olsen, but maybe impressions made while one is being hired by the Marlins should be suspect (e.g., Girardi).

Gammons Says Cabrera's Heading to Trade Market

But he also says if Miguelito's weight continues to be a problem, then he will become less attractive to other teams. (Start mailing those Xmas food baskets early.) (Rotoworld)

Joe's New Team Plays the Marlins March 28-29

And for one of these games, just for the heck of it, Girardi will probably manage both teams simultaneously. (MLB)

Wiley to Talk With Marlins

(MiamiHerald)