F@B: Covering the Coverage

Posted: February 26th, 2010

In its Spring Training baseball preview, Deadspin has decided to take shots at every team and of course the Marlins were fish in a barrel. Will Leitch looks at some of the best players in team history and suggests that he doesn’t remember them as Marlins.

Here are the five humans who have started the most games on the mound for the Marlins, in order: Willis, A.J. Burnett, Brad Penny, Ryan Dempster, Pat Rapp.

When you conjure up images of those players, not a single one of them is wearing a Marlins uniform. (With the possible exception of Pat Rapp, whom I’m impressed you remember at all.) The only Florida Marlin historical figure — as historical as anything that started in 1993 can be — who comes to my mind is Jeff Conine, for some reason. Maybe that weird mascot. Actually, it’s just the Manatees. In case you forgot what state the Marlins play in.

Yes, he ignored the years and accomplishments that Luis Castillo, Mike Lowell, Brad Penny and Dontrelle Willis saw as Marlins.

Baseball is always trying to whitewash the history it doesn’t like and bronze the history it does, so it’s not a surprise that the team that has won the second-most World Series in the last 30 years rarely shows up in retrospective packages. (How cruel that the most crushing moment for the Cubs, a team so desperate for a World Series, happened against a team that history has already forgotten, a team barely even noticed at the time.) The Florida Marlins are a nowhere team, an anomaly, an unfortunate wart that keeps popping up every few years, long after you thought you’d taken care of it already.

I know this writing is meant to elicit such a response, but at some point the world of baseball does not revolve around the Yankees and Red Sox. But as part of the Marlins “Nation” (did the Red Sox “trademark” that?) I must stand up for our brethren at FishStripes.

FishStripes, a nice little Marlins blog for the SB Nation network, dutifully updated fans with five posts yesterday. These were posts from Spring Training, the most lush, hopeful time of the season, the time when even casual fans stretch their arms out and shake off the cobwebs for a new year. Not a single one of those posts elicited so much as one comment. They’re fine posts, hearty posts, sturdy posts. And nothing.

Looking at a few quiet posts doesn’t tell the complete story. Perhaps we’re not spending the entire off-season debating who Alex Rodriguez is dating or which team Manny Ramirez doesn’t want to lazily play for anymore. But when things start rolling, we’re a loud active bunch who care about our team no matter who owns it, what stadium the play in, which former player is an All-Star and how many incredibly talented players we have in the system. I would argue that it’s easy to be a Yankees fan – you can buy whichever player you want, you expect to contend every year, you play in a billion dollar stadium, your merchandise is everywhere and your highlights lead off SportsCenter. That’s what makes us Marlins better because we have to deal with so much more and have to work much harder for it, but we still love the Fish.

As Seen In: Commentary, Covering the Coverage

Posted: May 12th, 2009

I’ve always thought that Jeffrey Loria’s bad reputation in the media was highlight exaggerated. Therefore, I’m not surprised to read that Sports Illustrated just named him as one of the 5 worst owners in MLB. Here is what they had to say:

Despite the best efforts of another crop of youngsters, Loria may be running a second franchise into the ground. The art dealer turned a nation of fans against him with his first team, the Expos, before forcing their move from Montreal and selling them back to Major League Baseball. He then took control of the Marlins and watched his exciting team shock the Yankees in the 2003 World Series and then became Miami fans’ worst nightmare: the second coming of Wayne Huizenga. The Marlins slowly have been rebuilding themselves with more young talent, despite the lowest cash outlay provided by any owner, and could be turning a corner soon. That is, until Hanley Ramírez and Dan Uggla are shown the door like Josh Beckett, Derrek Lee and Miguel Cabrera.

It is clear that the SI team just phoned this one in. After all why do any research and thinking when you have this urban legend about Mr. Loria. While he didn’t make the best moves in Montreal, he was, in the end, nothing more than a caretaker for a dying franchise. His time with the Marlins has been a mix — a couple of fire sales on one hand, but a championship and a new ballpark on the other. We can debate his decision to keep a low payroll for most of his tenure but it is the results on the field and talent today that matter. Despite not being a serious contender since winning it all in 2003, the team still outperforms many MLB teams over this period.

Today, the Fish are looking at a new ballpark which secures their existence in South Florida for the long run. Hanley Ramirez is locked up for the next 6-years of his potential Hall of Fame career. Larry Beinfest and Mike Hill continue to run and excellent front office which has built a nice core of young players that allows the Fish to compete. Yes, we will miss Josh Beckett, Derrek Lee and Miguel Cabrera but no team (other than the Yankees, perhaps) could have kept all these guys. In fact, in baseball, you can be good one day and terrible the other. See Dontrelle Willis. And SI, since you liked ripping Dan Uggla for his All-Star errors, but now elevate him to a star, I will point out his sub .200 average today.

I’m not elevating Mr. Loria on a pedestal. He, like every MLB owner, has made mistakes and clearly he hasn’t spent as much money as everyone would like him to spend. But his performance as the owner of the Marlins has been a successful one. He has a championship, a great front office, a new ballpark and talent for the future. It’s something very few teams have today.

As Seen In: Commentary, Covering the Coverage

Posted: November 11th, 2008

Mike Berardino of the Sun-Sentinel provides some thoughts and insights on the Olsen/Hammer deal:

About that payroll dump so far:

the Fish have removed roughly $7 million from their books for 2009.

On what we got in return:

In return, they have brought in a cheap young setup man (Leo Nunez), a light-hitting second baseman with Gold Glove potential (Emilio Bonifacio) and a couple of decent low-level prospects who just finished their first full pro seasons (RHP P.J. Dean and IF Jake Smolinski).

What happens to Dan Uggla?

What about Dan Uggla and his $5 million projection? Juan Rodriguez was assured again Monday night — as I have been recently — that the Marlins have made it clear Uggla stays into next season.

What will happen to Bonifacio?

For now, look for Bonifacio to be sent down to Triple-A for a little more seasoning as the speedy switch-hitter in the Luis Castillo mode tries to get his bat going.

And on what to expect:

Something tells me, though, the Marlins aren’t quite done, that there will be an interesting addition or two at the end of this salary-shedding process.

Maybe a veteran catcher to handle all that fine young pitching? (Alas, it WON’T be Pudge Rodriguez, I’ve been told.) Maybe a proven corner outfielder with some sock? Maybe even a one-year closer to take the burden off Matt Lindstrom.

As Seen In: Commentary, Covering the Coverage, Links, Trades

Posted: September 23rd, 2008

I’ve always thought ESPN was full of itself and overly obsessed with their own importance and insight, so I was very excited to look back at their predictions for the 2008 Florida Marlins. Now, I know that the Marlins performed better than we expected (81 wins with 6 games to go) but ESPN’s predictions were so dire that I want us all to read and laugh.

First, here is the view from Bob Klapisch:

The bigger problem is the bottom half of the batting order, which is filled with question marks and experiments. It’s no stretch projecting the Marlins in the last third of the NL in runs scored. (Bob Klapisch)

Next, let’s see the actual win/loss projections:

• Jayson Stark: 70-92, 5th in NL East
• Tim Kurkjian: 64-98, 5th in NL East
• Buster Olney: 68-94, 5th in NL East
• Keith Law: 68-94, 5th in NL East
• Steve Phillips: 66-96, 5th in NL East

You have to give Jayson Stark some credit. He’s only off by 11+ wins.

How about Jeremy Hermida? He was their sleeper:

Jeremy Hermida has fallen off a lot of fantasy radar screens, but remember, the former 11th overall pick is just 24 years old. After the All-Star break in ‘07, he hit .340/.401/.555, with a dramatically improved line-drive rate. A season-long line of .300/25/90 is possible.

Even when they got something right, they still screwed it up:

Don’t rely on Kevin Gregg to be a closer all year. Gregg earns the most money on this team, and has two more arbitration years ahead. The Marlins aren’t going anywhere, and they’ve got a bunch of power-arm closer replacements. Expect a midsummer trade.

or

Just as Cabrera will be missed, so will Willis, who gave the Marlins real mound presence and a legitimate chance to win every fifth day. There’s no such guarantee in the current rotation. Olsen has upside, but his ERA soared to 5.81 last year, the third season in a row that mark has increased. The league’s average against him ballooned from .239 to .315. Sergio Mitre is out until June with a forearm strain, opening the door for Volstad at the back end of the rotation. But his lack of major league experience will keep the Marlins from rushing him.

(For the record, Gregg performed well until August and most people who followed the Marlins knew that Dontrelle was sinking fast).

And please, don’t get me started with their fantasy stats projections: Jacobs with 13 HR, Cantu with 5 HR and 35 RBI, Ricky Nolasco with 5 wins.

Now, before you all begin to hammer me for, well, hammering ESPN, they did get a few things right, including:

Chris Volstad, a former first-rounder, throws an almost effortless 90-94 mph.

As Seen In: Commentary, Covering the Coverage, Fun, News

Posted: May 16th, 2008

Bugs & Cranks takes a different approach towards the Jacque Jones rumors:

Florida Marlins, do not view these clubs as your peers. You have something they don’t from the 21st century: a World Series championship. So what if Josh Willingham’s health is suspect at this point? Call up Cameron Maybin! He needs a reason to get those braces off, why not make it a cup of coffee in the major leagues? Don’t stoop to the levels of lesser organizations. I tried really hard to write that with a straight face, it didn’t work. Give Cody Ross more playing time. Throw Wes Helms out there, he’ll do anything for those spicy nachos. Why settle for what another team with a bad record doesn’t want? Florida Marlins, you’re the team with the great record, so have some pride! If you want to bring in a veteran whose production at this point is suspect, I don’t know, try the guy sitting on your bench. The Albatross himself has got to be good for something.

Link:  Pump the Brakes!!!

As Seen In: Covering the Coverage, Rumors

Posted: May 15th, 2008

They may be three straight losses too late, but the “Paper of Record”, the New York Times, has given us a nice article about the Marlins (with photo above). Nothing that we don’t already know, but let’s enjoy the love while we’re getting it.

Link:  Its Roster Is a Bargain, but Florida Is a Handful (New York Times)

As Seen In: Covering the Coverage

Posted: May 14th, 2008

Juan C. Rodriguez brings up some great points in his latest blog post. He talks about:

Little breaks not going our way:

At the very least, that well of little breaks the Marlins were dipping into during their seven-game winning streak appears dry. It happens to every team.

Missing injured players:

One thing that struck me Tuesday was how the Marlins may be starting to miss Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham.

And potential to add another veteran:

Jacque Jones was placed on release waivers Tuesday and could be a free agent by Thursday.

We encourage you to read the post.

As Seen In: Covering the Coverage, Links

Posted: March 31st, 2008

Local media, instead of unequivocally supporting the hometown team, again find the most inappropriate time to attack the team. After all, nothing helps a team desperately in need of public support more than a public attack on perhaps their most visible day of the year.

As Seen In: Commentary, Covering the Coverage

Posted: March 29th, 2008

The Sun-Sentinel had an interesting take on last night’s exhibition game against the Yankees:

I’m pretty sure the headline is wrong. Here is what the Miami Herald said:

I wonder who got it right?

We kid of course. Unlike the headline, Juan C. Rodriguez’s article accurately captured the result of the game. The rest of the article though, hmm… Check out this nugget:

Either A-Rod was born in 1985 (rather than 1975) or the Marlins played in the NLDS against the Giants in 1987, before they existed. Maybe they meant yesterday’s starting pitcher, Andrew Miller, who attended the 2003 World Series. I’m sure it’s a common mistake to confuse Alex Rodriguez with Andrew Miller. Happened to me on my Fantasy Team. Maybe A-Rod plays for the Marlins now. We seem to remember covering it this past fall.

I’m sure by the time you read this, they fixed it. Don’t worry, we all make mistakes (thankfully, I’m a hack not a journalist).

As Seen In: Commentary, Covering the Coverage, Fun, Spring Training 2008

Posted: March 26th, 2008

I hopped in my car last night just in time to catch the segment about the Florida Marlins marketing tactics on NPR’s All Things Considered.

They call the Marlins marketing team the best in the game and spend quite a bit of time with the Marlins Manatees (accurately described as “fat guys with no dance experience”). Marlins VP of Marketing Sean Flynn also makes an appearance, highlighting all the marketing initiatives the team undertakes including the player autographs, the Marlins Mermaids, Super Saturdays and more. Flynn describes it best by saying (and I paraphrase): We’re not selling baseball… We are an entertainment property with core property of baseball.

Listen to the segment and enjoy the brief attention. They seem to downplay the two world championships and describes our trades resulting in “lesser and cheaper players” making it sound like Hanley and Cameron are nothing more than scrubs. It concludes with the question of whether a dozen fat men can change the team’s fortunes. But, as Marlins fans know, 25 athletic and talented men haven’t been able to change it either.

As Seen In: Covering the Coverage, Fun, Marketing, Marlins Mermaids