Jim Leyland announced to day that he will manage the Marlins next year. Leyland stated that he wanted to give Don Smiley a chance to buy the club and get a new stadium. Leyland will evaluate the situation again at the end of next season. Should the Marlins get a new stadium, it is likely that payroll can be raised again and Leyland will stay.

The Marlins took the first step in reducing their payroll by trading team MVP Moises Alou to Houston for closer Oscar Henriquez and pitcher Manuel Barrios, and pitcher Mark Johnson. Both pitchers are right handed and 23 years old. The 31 year old Alou hit .292, slugged 23 HR, and drove in 115 RBI this year, leading the Marlins in HR and RBI. The Marlins reduced their payroll by $20 million over the next 4 years.