Though a potential ownership change has many Marlins fans hoping for an increased payroll, FOX’s Ken Rosenthal argues that any new owners should operate in familiar fashion and tear down the organization with an aggressive rebuild. Miami’s farm system is barren, and the team already has as much as $95MM committed to players in 2018. Rosenthal suggests that the Marlins should prepare to deal some relief pitching and market breakout outfielder Marcell Ozuna — while perhaps also beginning to think about what to do with the massive contract of Giancarlo Stanton.
- Plenty of other National League East competitors are struggling as well, with the Mets in particular playing well shy of expectations. As John Harper of the New York Daily News writes, there’s no easy solution for an organization that has been beset with injuries. The club’s short-term veteran assets are all fairly expensive, and all but Jay Bruce have had their own issues with injury and/or performance downturns. Having dealt from the farm in recent years, the upper ranks are somewhat depleted; and with needs set to arise in the near future, dealing from what’s left (particularly given the poor start) may not be advisable.
- New Mets reliever Neil Ramirez discussed his recent signing with reporters including MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, who tweets a video of the righty’s comments. Ramirez says he feels he was throwing well with the Giants despite some poor earned-run results. When the Blue Jays claimed and then outrighted him, he elected to test the market in search of “an opportunity to stick” with another team. His deal with the Mets came together in very short order.
- With the Nationals still struggling to find reliable relief arms, the team has moved top pitching prospect Erick Fedde into a bullpen role, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post tweets. While it seems likely that the organization still views Fedde as a starter in the long run, the consensus top-100 prospect may be of greater use in the near term out of the pen. He has impressed thus far at Double-A, throwing 42 2/3 innings of 3.16 ERA ball with 7.4 K/9 against 3.0 BB/9, and could conceivably function as a multi-inning option in the majors. While a deadline deal or two remains all but inevitable for the division-leading Nats, utilizing Fedde in that manner might provide a boost while limiting the need to part with young talent later this summer. Of course, the team tried something similar last year with Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez with less-than-ideal results, though both were still able to return a big piece in Adam Eaton over the winter.
37santobanks
That Stanton contract is a head scratcher that will hurt the Marlins for quite some time.
dcdc
It’s only a head scratcher if you look at it from 2018 and on. It was a perfectly fine contract the day it was signed, but was structured to undervalue the early years and (maybe) overvalue the later years. And we’re nearing the midpoint of when the tide shifts from good deal to bad deal. If he opts out or agrees to trade (which doesn’t require a ton of prospects thrown in), it works out great for Marlins. If he ages poorly and stays there for the life of the contract, it definitely hurts them — but they knew that going in and got a few years of his services well under market value in exchange for that.
Dunton
Stanton would have to be crazy to opt out. He will be massively overpaid for the remainder of his contract.
imametsfanbut
It’s more than just a head scratcher. It’s crippling to a team that struggles for a fan base at all. They will be saddled with this for 10 years, and it’ll continue to be painful as the years roll on. We can expect the performance, which arguably was never up to that caliber, to dwindle as they cost gets significantly higher.
Loria is manipulator and abuser. Let us not forget that the league actually had to tell him to spend some money a few years back! If I was Jeter I would insist that allowances be made to cover that mistake prior to signing any papers.
floridagators
Lol then Loria wouldn’t sell him the team? Duh? Why would Loria sell anyone the team if he’s forced to pay money back?
JP8
I believe he means the league allowing the marlins to operate at a lower payroll while they take care of the debt Loria is leaving behind. Loria bought the team for ~250mm I believe and the organization now has over ~600mm in debt, yet Loria wants 1.3 billion. if my numbers are correct this is literally legal theft because the taxpayers funded that stadium and Loria signed those contracts and if he is allowed will cash out and wipe his hands of the whole situation.
BusterMove
Must be nice to be rich. If I pulled something like this, I’d be in jail… or President…
ExileInLA 2
Why did the Mets bother signing Ramirez only to use Rafael Montero in the 11th today?!?!?
mikeyank55
I thought that I heard “TC” say two days ago that they were going to turn things around and go on a 7 game winning streak so fans would forget how bad they have been?
Maybe he meant that the losing streak would reach 7. Now for the nightmare home stand ahead; losing to the Padres and Angels.
Do you think “TC” is safe and will reach all-time winning Mets manager?
What is the over and under?
metseventually
But really, why do you care what the Mets do as a Yankees fan? You seem way more concerned with how the Mets are doing than the Yankees. Get your priorities straight.
mikeyank55
Wrong but nice try since you have nothing else to go with. This season has been a celebration for the Yankees, which were panned by all the pro writers. We’ve had our share of injuries, yet we’re holding onto first place. A great mix of old players and young one’s, all well groomed and working as a team.
Can you describe anything about your team that way? Lol
And as for priorities, your name needs some sharpening up as your posts which often stand on both sides don’t you think?
mikeyank55
Sorry…clicked to quickly without completing my answer. I enjoy jabbing Mets fans like yourselves so that you take a stand with your team who’s owners are cheap, management not decisive, leadership in the dugout comical, and training/medical staff suspect. This is not a 2017 assessment. Use your search tool on the internet and go back 3, 5, 10 or even 15 years and these issues run through time like a river. So take a stand and make them sell out?