• The Fish Unveil the 2008 Marlins Mermaids

  • You’ve probably heard that the Marlins signed a few players, blah, blah, blah. But more importantly, the Florida Marlins have officially named the 2008 Marlins Mermaids. For those of you who don’t know, the Mermaids are the great Marlins cheerleading dance team.

    Now, here they are:

    Back Row: Tra-Keila, Adrianna, Chelsea, L’tesia, Otmara, Estefania, Jen, Natalie, Alexis, Jillian, Amanda, Stephanie, Glenda
    Front Row: Megan, Shanelle, Gladys, Alessandra, Danielle, Veronica, Pascale, Melissa

    Enjoy.

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    • dora the explorer
    • RETWEETED
      18 years ago

    • in my opinion i think natalie is the best one in the team and always will be!! i love you natalie!!!!!!!!!!! love your #1 fan! ash. a.k.a. dora. 😀

  • Marlins vs. Rays — ESPN Would Rather be in Tampa?

  • ESPN SPORTSNATIONESPN’s SPORTSNATION is starting a Marlins vs. “don’t call me Devil” Rays debate. Who is better off? Sean McAdam picks the Rays:

    Track record should mean something here. The Marlins have won championships twice and rebuilt both times. Their front office — Larry Beinfest, Mike Hill, Dan Jennings — has proven an ability to recognize and develop young talent and has been locked up for the long term, ensuring stability.

    But there’s no denying that the Rays’ talent pool is greater. Their outfield is already more accomplished and assuming Longoria and Brignac are as good as advertised, the infield stands to be better, too.

    The real advantage, however, comes in the pitching department. A projected rotation of Kazmir, Shields, Garza and Price — augmented by others — is clearly superior to what the Marlins have in stock.

    Finally, there’s no guarantee — given Florida’s self-imposed payroll limitations and penchant for dealing off young stars — that Ramirez will be in a Marlins uniform in 2010.

    My choice is the Rays; let the debate begin!

    Jump in to the discussion and tell him he’s wrong

    Link:  ESPN’s SPORTSNATION Chat – Marlins vs. Rays

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    • Passengers
    • RETWEETED
      18 years ago

    • Facing the Yankees and Red Sox 19 times a year? No thanks.

  • Luis Gonzalez is Heading Our Way

  • Luis Gonzalez signs with the Florida Marlins

    Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Marlins have lured Luis Gonzalez with a one-year $2 million deal (including an additional $1 million in incentives).

    Gonzalez, 40, is expected to fill a combination of roles, including left field and first base, and serve as a mentor for the Marlins’ younger players.

    Interesting that he is saying left field, meaning the Marlins are serious about giving Maybin the starting CF job.

    Gonzo has slowed down significantly over the last couple of years but the team is hoping he provides depth and most importantly veteran leadership.

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  • Ballpark Agreement Nearly Complete; Marlins Looking at Designs

  • The fine reporters at Miami Today lead off with a major updated on the ballpark project.

    It looks like the Marlins are so confident that they deal will get done that they have retained HOK Sports and are already reviewing 3 different ballpark designs. The new $389.4 million ballpark will include a retractable roof, 37,000 seats, and 60 club suites. These details come from a preliminary agreement between Miami-Dade, Miami, and the Marlins.

    Under the agreement, the Marlins would keep proceeds from the naming rights to the new ballpark, and construction materials used to build the stadium — totaling $525 million — would not be subject to sales taxes, pending state approval.

    More

  • Marlins Park

  • Latest Date for Ballpark Vote: February 5th

  • Looks like February 5th will the day when Miami-Dade County will vote on the ballpark proposal. That means the sides haven’t finalized the definitive agreement.

    The bottom line is very encouraging:

    “From what I’ve been told, we are so close it’s incredible; it’s very minor differences,” [Commission Chairman Bruno ] Barreiro said Thursday. “Our attorneys have said we’ve never been closer.”

  • Marlins Park

  • Hanley Lovin’ From Jason Stark

  • ESPN’s Jason Stark writes about which young shortstop he’d build his team around:

    Ramirez is off to one of the great starts to a career by any shortstop who ever lived. How’s that for a pithy description of the case? He’s two seasons into his career, and he has topped 45 steals and 45 doubles in each of them. So how many players have ever done that? How about none? At any position. In any two seasons of their career. But that’s not all. Ramirez also is coming off a 200-hit, 20-homer, 50-steal, 100-run season, and only two other players in history have ever had a year like that: Lou Brock (1967) and Craig Biggio. Those 212 hits last year would be the most ever by a National League shortstop — if Jimmy Rollins hadn’t also gotten 212. And it’s that power-speed-high-average combo that really makes Ramirez unique. He was the only player in the league to finish in the top five in hits, runs, average, doubles and stolen bases. This guy is a special, special offensive talent. Too bad the only people who seem to have noticed are those 2,000 folks who stampede up (or down) the Florida Pike to see the Marlins every night.

    Not bad.

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  • Fish Add a Tall Pitcher

  • Now that we know that Anibal Sanchez will not be ready for Spring Training, the Marlins signed 6-9 left-handed pitcher Mark Hendrickson to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. He is a mediocre 43-59 in 179 career games with a 5.01 ERA. But, he’s started more than 30 games three times in his career, so he may be a good innings eater.

    Update: Hendrickson used to play in the NBA.

    Photo by Flickr user russ257
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