Robert Stratton, acquired from the Mets in the Dennis Cook trade, was returned to New York after a back injury was discovered. The Marlins received Brandon Villafuerte, a 22-year-old right-hander, and a player to be named later in return. Villafuerte was 3-1 with a 2.38 ERA and seven saves last season at Class A Capital City of the South Atlantic League.
Major League Baseball’s Executive Council approved Marlins’ President Don Smiley as the new Managing Partner of the Florida Marlins. This gave Smiley advance approval of his bid to purchase the team. He will “own” the team even though his purchase is not completed. The acquisition should be completed in June. The team will have 15 investors at $150 million. Wayne Huizenga and Whit Hudson will remain minority owners with no influence on the teams’ operation.
Jim Leyland named Livan Hernandez, Felix Heredia, Brian Meadows, Rafael Medina and Eric Ludwick, in that order, as the Marlins starting rotation. Also, Craig Counsell was named the starting second baseman, which means Louis Castillo will return to AAA Charlotte.
Brian Meadows did not allow any earned runs in 7 strong innings, and reliever-turned-starter-turned-closer Felix Heredia struck out the sides in the 9th to lead the Marlins to a 3-2 victory over Curt Schilling and the Philadelphia Phillies. Derrek Lee hit his 5th home run (he has 6 hits this season) and Jim Eisenreich his a pinch-hit 2-run home run to account for the runs. After losing 11 consecutive games, the Marlins have now won the last two.
Marlins assigned the following players to the minor-league camp: Pitchers Aaron Akin, Joe Fontenot, Brent Billingsley, Rey Mendoza and Ryan Dempster, catchers Scott Makareqicz, Mike Redmond and Ryan Robertson, first baseman Brian Daubach and outfielder Chris Sheff. Pitcher Blaine Mull, second baseman Amaury Garcia and outfielder Julio Ramirez were optioned to Double A Portland, and shortstop Alex González was optioned to Triple A Charlotte.
The Marlins opened MLB’s 1998 Spring Training by defeating the University of Miami 9-2. The Marlins lineup was composed of minor-league prospects, most notably Josh Booty, Joe Fontenot, and Lou Lucca.
Jim Leyland will present a young lineup for tomorrow’s opening game against the Univeristy of Miami: left fielder Fletcher Bates (23 years old), center fielder Julio Ramirez (20), right fielder Ryan Jackson (26), first baseman Brian Daubach (26), second baseman Amaury Garcia, shortstop Alex González (21), third baseman Josh Booty (22), catcher Scott Makarewicz (30), and designated hitter John Roskos (23). Right-hander Joe Fontenot (20) will start, followed by Brent Billingsley (22), Ryan Dempster (20), Blaine Mull (21), Aaron Akin (20), Rey Mendoza (27) and Nelson Lara (19).
Marlins Catcher Charles Johnson won his arbitration case and will make $3.3 million this year. The team offered $2.25 million.
The Marlins trade Al Leiter and Ralph Milliard to the New York Mets. In return, the Marlins receive minor-league pitchers Jesus Sanchez and A.J. Burnett and outfielder Robert Stratton. Marlins removed $3 million in salary by trading Leiter.
Milliard became the odd man out in the infield with the emergence of Renteria, Counsell, and Castillo.
Sanchez, 23, LHP, 13-10 with a 4.30 ERA and 176 K in 165.1 inning at Class AA.
Stratton, 20, OF, hit .249 with 15 HR in 245 AB but struck out 94 times and walked 19 BB in Rookie League.
Burnett, 22, RHP, allowed only 28 hits in 44 innings at Class A, but walked 35.
Marlins acquire right-handed minor league reliever Hector Ramirez from the Baltimore Orioles for future considerations. The 26 year old Ramirez was 8-7 with a 4.91 ERA in AAA Rochester last season.