All the news that fits this blog.

Please welcome the newest members of our Major League active roster:

• Cameron Maybin
• Ryan Tucker
• Gaby Sanchez
• Jesus Delgado

An encouraging development:

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jeri Beth Cohen ruled Tuesday that building a ballpark for the Florida Marlins serves a public purpose — a significant victory for the team and local government in their quest to bring a new stadium to South Florida.

This was one of two issues left in this wasteful lawsuit. Now, the Judge is withholding ruling on the final issue until the Florida Supreme Court reviews the issue of diverting funds from their original purpose.

Update: Greg Cote gets it right.

As we hit the expanded September rosters, the Marlins have called up 5 players: Dallas McPherson, Robert Andino, Andrew Miller, Brett Carroll, and Eulogio De La Cruz.

Marlins fans should be very excited to watch McPherson who leads all of Minor League Baseball with 42 home runs. With so many players facing arbitration, Dallas may be auditioning for a starting job next year.

Overworked reliever Renyel Pinto was placed on the DL today with what’s being a called a strained left hamstring. Not sure if he’s actually injured but I’m confident he could benefit from the time off. He hasn’t been himself lately. This decision is timed with the return of Doug Waechter who can continue providing decent middle and long relief.

The Marlins wasted no time in bringing up newly signed Paul Lo Duca. The Fish have been carrying 13 pitchers and they desperately needed another bench player. Justin Miller was the unlucky DFA and will head to AAA.

I’ve been wondering why Lo Duca and not Dallas McPherson and my only guess is that the Fish felt that having another veteran presence (and a catcher at that) would be better than a high-strike out power hitter. But, as I’ve said before, “In Beinfest We Trust”.

Meanwhile, the team found a new way to lose: offense is back but bullpen blew it. 3.5 games out is not the end of the world, but it’s mid-August and momentum is head in the wrong direction.

Word from the the Miami Herald is that the Marlins are about to sign Paul Lo Duca and send him to AAA. The 36 year old Lo Duca’s performance has diminished significantly this year (age? no steroids?) and he was recently cut by the Nationals after hitting .230.

This is a low risk move for the Fish as he will start off in AAA and if somehow he figures out how to hit or if Matt Treanor’s condition worsens, Lo Duca will be be a nice fit.

It’s pretty obvious now that if the Marlins want to win the division, they’re going to have to get great starting pitching. Thankfully, we know have 5 good starters to work with.

The good news it that the Marlins just strengthened their bullpen by acquiring Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners. The terrible news is that they gave up Gaby Hernandez. More details to follow.

Update: I’m slowly getting used to this deal. I still thing Gaby was a high price to pay, even for a good lefty reliever. But, the Marlins organization has other young pitchers (including 5 in the starting rotation) and we finally addressed our biggest need so please join me in welcoming Arthur Rhodes.

Update 2: Now I’m wondering who we send down to make room for Rhodes. Unless we release Mark Hendrickson, the rest of the bullpen is very solid. My best guess is that Robert Andino will get back on the Albuquerque express.

At the opening of today’s trial involving Norman Braman’s attempt to stop the Miami Megaplan (which includes the Marlin’s Ballpark), the following happened:

”At this time I am ordering all the parties back in mediation,” Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jeri Beth Cohen told a packed courtroom just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Her order may indicate that the parties — which had scrambled Tuesday and Wednesday to broker an agreement — may in reality be close to reaching such an accord.

This move apparently surprised the parties but is actually common in today’s busy court systems where busy Judges prefer to force sides into a settlement, especially if one is possible as is suggested above.

The proposed compromise seems to conflict with Norman Braman’s holier-than-thou arguments:

Those familiar with the proceedings said the last minute negotiations centered around an offer to build a community center next to the stadium and more public use of what will be a county-owned ballpark. But no closure was reached — at least not yet.

I think Greg Cote captured the double-standard/hypocrisy in his editorial today.

Assuming nothing changes in the next few days, the parties will meet again with the Judge on Monday.

Hanley Ramirez became the second Marlin every voted into a starting position for an All-Star game. Joining Hanley, who will start at shortstop in his first ever All-Star game, is Dan Uggla who will be part of his second All-Star game and is one of a few candidates for the starting DH position. Uggla is also likely to participate in the Home Run Derby.