The year was 2012. The Florida Marlins had just become the “Miami Marlins”, and they were opening a brand new ballpark. Not only did they have a new ball park with a ridiculous statue in the outfield, (I still don’t know what it’s supposed to be), they also had new uniforms.
In addition to the new stadium and rebranding, the Marlins were going to field a team that was built to win. With power coming from Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Lee, and a high potential pitching staff consisting of Mark Buerlhe, Anibal Sanchez, and Carlos Zambrano, they posted a great threat to their neighbors in the NL East division. Add the leadership of new manager Ozzie Guillen whom the team traded for in the offseason and the Marlins clearly weren’t messing around.
That was until mid-year, when the team fell way below expectations, and began the great fire sale of 2012.
Hanley Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers mid-year, and other players such as Mark Buerlhe , John Buck, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifocio, and what seemed like the rest of the of the big name team were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason. Ozzie Guillen, who controversially spoke of his respect for Fidel Castro earlier in the season, was fired by the end of the year.
Fans in Miami were left feeling hoodwinked. After dishing out public funding for a new baseball stadium, they now had a team with no identity other than the not so popular new unis that could be spotted a mile way and an eye sore of a statue in center field at Marlins park.
Through the fire sale, a few players were left. Of those few were Giancarlo Stanton, who just recently signed the biggest contract in MLB history.
At a $325 million commitment over thirteen years, Stanton is now the face of the Miami Marlins. Will he be around long enough to be remembered as a Marlin?
After all, the great fire sale of 2012 wasn’t the first fire sale in Marlins history. Everyone remembers the great fire sale of 1997, when the team was torn to shreds almost immediately after the first World Series in franchise history. Stars like Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, and Gary Sheffield were gone by mid-season.
If Marlins fans want assurance, though, simply read between the lines of the contract. Via the ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, there are several plus sides for all parties:
(Jayson Stark, ESPN.com Stanton Wanted Flexibility for The Marlins )
- Full no trade clause for the entirety of the contract.
- Marlins pay the most money at the end of the contract. Stanton only gets $30 million in years 1-3 meaning Marlins can actually build around Stanton.
- Stanton doesn’t get to opt out until 2020, so he isn’t going anywhere for at least six years.
So there you have it Marlins fans. The Marlins and Stanton made this deal with room to build a team. There is a long term commitment to at least 6-13 years that hopefully will bring another World Series trophy or two to decorate that new stadium with. Even if Stanton waives his no trade clause or opts out after six years, the Marlins will have to dish out $107 million between now and 2020. There is no easy out for the Marlins.
The true question lies in whether or not the Miami Marlins will indeed build around Stanton. Will we see a certain Cuban outfielder by the name of Yasiel Puig hanging out by that ugly statue in the outfield of Marlins Park in the near future? How about some big name infielders or pitching?
Only time will tell. Until then, I’m sure the Marlins will continue to price gouge on away teams in Spring Training. (Juan C. Rodriguez Red Sox cheat Roger Dean Stadium fans with substandard travel roster)
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