The Marlins are prepared to look into signing even the most expensive free agents this offseason, sources close to the team tell Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. This includes the likes of Albert Pujols, C.C. Sabathia or Prince Fielder, though Capozzi notes that it could be a stretch seeing any of those players in South Beach next year.
Still, with the team's new ballpark opening in Miami in April, team president David Samson says owner Jeffrey Loria is prepared to spend to put a competitve team on the field in 2012.
"Basically, what Jeffrey has instructed all of us is that no stone will be left unturned in order to make this year a memory and make next year unforgettable,' Samson said. "He said, 'I want people to forget about '11, forget about Sun Life Stadium, forget about the Florida Marlins, and I want the Miami Marlins to have their franchise start by making history.' "
We've already heard about Florida's interest in Aramis Ramirez and C.J. Wilson and Capozzi adds that the Marlins are also keeping an eye on Joey Votto should the Reds decide to make their star first baseman available. Though any team would be interested in the likes of Votto, Pujols and Fielder, this focus on first basemen could indicate the Marlins are dissatisfied with Gaby Sanchez and could look to make a move at first even if they don't acquire a superstar.
One source tells Capozzi that the Marlins' payroll could be close to $100MM next season. Cot's Baseball Contracts records Florida's 2011 payroll at a bit under $58MM and MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently looked at what the Fish could spend on their arbitration-eligible players.
But will big-name free agents consider the Marlins?
I came in here to say that. Now I have no way to contribute to this topic.
Nice going, person.
Why wouldn’t they?
ask logan morrison
I’m sure they know how to conduct themselves off the field more than LoMo does.
What exactly did LoMo do that was so bad? He tweets his mind, and missed a meet and greet because Wes Helms told him it was ok (after he did an autograph signing). He also publicly apologized for missing the meet and greet before he missed it. Other than that, has the team said anything?
because they have no fan base. What do they average at home ? 1500?
That’s about how many Yankee fans were left in Yankee Stadium at the end of game 6 of the 2003 World Series.
With all the stuff going on recently, it seems highly unlikely.
But money talks….money talks…
Is it 2012 yet?
If they’re really dissatisfied with the only guy on their team to make the ASG, they don’t have much common sense at all. I’m a Marlins fan, but honestly, when you can throw around names like Albert Pujols and Joey Votto, who are you gonna pick? Until Loria puts his money where his mouth is, though, I look forward to seeing Gaby Sanchez at first next year (unless the Marlins really are dumb enough to trade away their All-Star first baseman and not get a Votto or Pujols to fill the void).
Gaby Sanchez is an average first baseman. First base is supposed to be a power position. 20 HRs. .270. Not that impressive. Average. Defensively, he is TERRIBLE at picking balls in the dirt. He does some things well. That is why he is our starting 1B, but he is pretty easily replaceable. Some of you will hate this comment, butthat is just how it is.
Votto is not getting traded. The Reds would be dumb to do that . Pujolis is staying with the Cards. It will be a media nightmare if they let him walk. Giants , Cubs ,Rangers , Orioles and Nationals are probably going after him.
CC? That is a joke. Yankees are going to move heaven and earth to keep IF he opts out
I don’t know, but has Gaby ever played at third? The marlins could stick him there and make a hard push for prince.
Gaby hasn’t played there since college. You don’t want to see em there. He’s barely average at first base.
Oh ok. Didn’t know if he played there in the minors or not.
They actually had him come up as a catcher until he reached the upper levels if I remember correctly.
He played third some in single A I believe. Why wouldn’t you want him at third? His strengths: good arm, good range, solid fielder. His biggest weakness: fielding throws. I think third would be a good fit.
If the marlins want Votto they will have to pry him from the hands of Alex Anthopolous because I just can’t see Votto going anywhere else if he is traded. Not only is he an all star firstbasemen and a huge upgrade over Adam Lind. But he is also not only canadian but Torontoian, I can’t see the marlins being able to beat the jays on
This one, especially with the superiority of the jays farm system.
Keys are same as what got them off to such a hot start in 2011:
Rotation.. meaning Johnson is healthy, Sanchez remain a viable #2 and hope that both Nolasco and Volstad will fulfill the promise that they have the talent for and be consistent. Don’t think retaining vazquez even matters, remember when this team was winning last year vazquez was awful, it was the front 4 that were actually doing ok.
Ramirez comes back with a vengeance and shows some fire is very important, as is finding a position for Bonifacio where he will not hurt the team defensively.
Disagree about Vazquez. He was awesome once he got his velocity back. I would take him back.
I understand there. Just after seeing how abysmal he was for the NYY, have absolutely -0- faith in the guy and if he managed to win 15+ games for the Fish (or anyone for that matter) probably still would have serious doubts.
Chalk him up to one of those pitchers who has to also stay in the NL to have any chance of success as well IMHO, that “club” is getting very large at the moment.
Will admit thought like you mentioned he vastly improved once his velocity improved some from the upper 80’s fb he was managing to throw earlier in the season. Amazing how much better the secondary stuff is when a guy like Vazquez can throw just 3-4mph harder isn’t it.
Now maybe he can beat into Volstad’s head (Nolasco as well) how to concentrate on pitching when one does not have their best stuff in a game.
if anyone here believes anything jeffrey loria has to say, i have a bunch of expos fans (myself included) who you should talk to.
Hasn’t lied to us yet. (He has this reputation as a liar but noone can ever come up with examples of him lying to Miami.)
I think the Big Boys will be looking for teams that have already established their success. However, A-Ram and b-level free agents are in play for the Fish.
The Marlins established their success in 2003 in Yankee stadium at the hand of Josh Beckett…for the second time.
The Marlins established their success in 2003 in Yankee stadium at the hand of Josh Beckett…for the second time.
Anybody who thinks a big-name free agent wouldn’t sign with the Marlins if the money was offered is nuts. They have a new stadium and a flashy new manager whom a lot of guys — oddly enough — would love to play for. It’s going to be exciting in Fishtown next year. But again, it’s all about “show me the moolah.”