The Florida Marlins today announced they have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with infielder Kevin Millar. He will make $700,000 this season and $900,000 in 2002, up from $265,000 this past season
The Florida Marlins today announced that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Jesus Sanchez. The deal is believed to be worth $1,425,000.
The Florida Marlins today acquired outfielder Chad Mottola from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a PTBNL on or before April 1, 2001. Mottola, 29, went 2 for 9 in 3 games for Toronto after a September 5 call-up. He hit .309 with 33 home runs and 102 RBI in 134 games for AAA Syracuse last season. Mottola was named the International League’s Most Valuable Player last season after leading the league in home runs and slugging percentage (.566). His home run and RBI total led all Blue Jay minor league players.
The Florida Marlins announced they agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Manny Aybar on Monday. The deal is worth $665,000
Veteran announcers Dave O’Brien and Tommy Hutton will return for their fifth season together on Marlins television broadcasts on Fox Sports Net and WAMI 69, while Jay Randolph will again serve as pregame host for Marlins games on Fox Sports Net. Veteran radio broadcaster Dave Van Horne will join Jon “Boog” Sciambi on radio broadcasts on 560 WQAM. Van Horne will serve as the team’s lead radio voice, while Sciambi will host the pre and postgame shows and serve as play-by-play announcer for three innings. Felo Ramirez and Angel “Tito” Rodriguez again team up on the Marlins Spanish radio broadcasts on 1140 WQBA.
The Florida Marlins announced Tuesday they have signed left-handed pitcher Vic Darensbourg to a three-year contract with a Club option for the 2004 season. Terms were not disclosed.
The Marlins have brought catcher Charles Johnson back with a 5-year $35 million deal. To make room on the roster for Johnson, the Marlins will designate for assignment the contract of right-handed pitcher Reid Cornelius. “We’re thrilled to have Charles Johnson back in the Marlins organization. He was the first player ever selected by the Marlins in the 1992 June amateur draft. He is also a local fan favorite who played high school and college baseball here in South Florida,” said GM David Dombrowski. “He was an integral part of our World Series Championship team in 1997. He is one of the best all-around catchers in the game and his coming back improves our Club significantly. In addition to his offense, I think he can help our young pitching staff reach the next level in their maturity process.”
The Miami Herald and the Sun-Sentinel are reporting this morning that the Florida Marlins and Miami-Dade County have reached a tentative agreement to finance and construct a new retractable-roof ballpark which would guarantee the health and stability of the franchise for years to come. An announcement is expected on Sunday afternoon.
The Marlins and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas apparently negotiated the deal over the past few weeks. Miami Mayor Joe Carollo and other community activists were also involved in the negotiations. The Miami-Dade Commission, the Miami City Commission, and state Legislature must approve the deal that provides for a partnership between the team and the county. The county is likely to provide its share of the revenue of the remainder of a hotel tax which will build a performing arts center in Miami. Furthermore, the city will likely donate the land, although it is unclear where the ballpark will be located.
Under this financing plan, the stadium is expected to cost $385 million, will seat 40,000 and open for the 2004 season. The team would change its name to the Miami Marlins.
The Florida Marlins announced Thursday their 2001 Spring Training schedule, which consists of 31 Grapefruit League games, including four night contests. The 17-game home schedule is highlighted by two games against the 2000 National League Champion New York Mets, two games against Cal Ripken and the Baltimore Orioles, a March 11 contest against the 2000 NL East Champion Atlanta Braves and a March 14 game against Mark McGwire and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Florida Marlins announced Monday they have received right-handed pitcher Mark Roberts as the player to be named later in the November 27 trade that sent Amaury Garcia to the Chicago White Sox. His contract will be assigned to AAA Calgary. The Marlins also announced infielder Joe Funaro was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the AAA Phase of the 2000 Rule V Draft.