New Stadium Fallout

There are many things to consider with a new stadium on the horizon for the Marlins. There are effects that are going to spring forward from the events of Thursday that will create many changes.

Let's start with the immediate. Now the Marlins and us fans have hope and expectation. We covered that in the last blog here at MarlinsNation. But what is more interesting is to see how this affects the team and its players. Now, young players will have a future to look forward to that is more tangible. If they like living and playing in Miami, they will want to stay. They will reach out to the community and put forth more effort on the field. They will take more pride in their work since now, the Miami Marlins, are a legit MLB franchise. They are playing for their future contracts here, in south Florida.

This has Hanley Ramirez saying the right things and for the first time in a very, very long time, there is hope that a player can actually stay here. "I hope I can stay here for my career, they know how to treat people," Ramirez said. "They know how to treat players. It's a good organization. Hopefully, I can be here for Opening Day [2011]."

Hanley Ramirez doesn't begin arbitration until 2009, and the Marlins will lose control over his rights (he will be a free agent) after the 2011 season. That means, after the first season in the new digs.

Will payroll increase? Not likely in the immediate future. But fan interest will most undoubtedly change as they see this team is here to stay. Fans will start investing in the future of this franchise - something that was very tangible back in the '93 season, it's first ever.

Not only do the fans and the players see a future ahead, but some others have to change their business structures as a result. For example, Wayne H. Huizenga, whom yours truly refers to as H-bomb, is now basically forced to see the Dolphins franchise. Why? Because after 2010, that stadium will be losing its biggest tenant - the Florida Marlins - as they move into their new home.

And you better believe that the Marlins are an integral part of the Dolphins franchise. Without the Marlins and their rent money, H-bomb would be losing lots of money as the facility went unused for almost 7 months out of the year. That is a lot of lost revenue.

Coincidentally, H-bomb is selling the franchise. Remember, this is the same situation that drove Joe Robbie to sell the Dolphins to Wayne Huizenga in the first place. The cost of the stadium was strangling the finances of running the team and its revenue.

Ironic it is that the Marlins are moving to the original home of the Dolphins and tearing it down to build their new home. The Dolphins, in some ways, are seemingly being banished from outside of Miami left to reside in a lonely stadium that will serve only football games.

The fate of the franchise had definitely shifted.

What Took So Long?

Imagine driving your car to the old site of the Orange Bowl and seeing a beautiful gem in the heart of Miami with a sparkling new roof and a spire that enables spectators a bird's-eye view of Miami. You pull into a parking garage and walk into the stadium to hear the crowd buzzing with energy.

What stands out most is that the stadium is full. And everyone is wearing Marlins garb. It seems eerily similar to the old days, back in '93 when this town was filled with teal.

Or in '97 when strangers were walking up to each other and talking about the championship and the heroics. Teal everywhere.

Or in 2003, when the might Marlins overcame the juggernaut that was the New York Yankees.

This franchise has deserved this day - but it has been a long time coming. And it has cost the Marlins greatly. Just ask Mike Lowell, Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. Just ask Jeff Conine, who has been here for practically every watershed moment in Marlins history.

What took so long?!

The Marlins are staying put. They are safe at home. Now we get to see what it is like to have a franchise with a future, and not a death sentence. Now we get to expect things - like Hanley Ramirez having a career as a Marlin, or bigger payrolls. We can expect to see Maybin develop and grow into the phenom he is. We can expect to sign free agents - maybe even see a return of old, familiar faces when they hit the market. Maybe Dontrelle Willis comes back to Miami?

Things have changed. This day has been a pivotal point for Marlin fans. We Marlin fans have been watching every game we can on TV - in fact, the networks noticed and that is why, despite trading away Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis 150 games will be televised this season.

You can also expect that those ratings will translate into a steady, and rabid, fan base that will turn out at the games. That is, when the new park is built.

But this also helps for the immediate future. Gone is the anxiety, replaced with hope and expectation. Now Marlin fans no longer have to think about supporting another franchise - since their home franchise is just a transient, like the rest of the snowbirds only here temporary. This team is here to stay. This now puts pressure in the right places - on the franchise to spend the money they will be making and on the fans to go to the games because they will have a brand new and exciting facility to attend games at. And they won't need their umbrellas and rain coats.

Indeed, it won't rain on the Marlins franchise ever again. They have a roof. And now, they can act like every other franchise - to the hope or dismay of its fanbase.

Stadium Deal Complete: Miami Marlins Coming Soon

And it is done. The stadium hunt is over. As strange as that sounds, especially for unbelieving Marlin fans, this time it is true. Sure, we have heard this song and dance before but this time is different.

Probably one of the most important days for the Florida Marlins franchise - and arguably one of the quietest - the Marlins have seen their proposal for a new stadium accepted by both the city of Miami and the Dade County panels.

The stadium will seat about 37,000, feature a retractable roof and will cost about $515M for the project which is slated to open up in 2011.

The deal also calls for the Marlins to commit to a 35 year agreement. The parking garage will have about 6,000 spots - most of which will be purchased by the Marlins each year and then sold (for a profit) each game in order to help generate revenue. The new stadium will actually enable the Marlins franchise to create a more lucrative financial situation which could help stop the rotation of young players leaving south Florida to head off to other teams.

Also, the Marlins will change their name from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins since the city is funding most of the project.

Miami Approves Marlins Stadium

The city of Miami voted 4-1 for the stadium.

Now, it is up to the county to finalize the deal.

Thank God the city is not letting Norman Braman rattle things. Who knows what his agenda is, and I am skeptical of any kind of do-gooding social platform. This is about money and he isn't getting his cut.

Still, the stadium is not definite yet. Let's hope the county doesn't screw this up in the final hour. Even with a new stadium, amazingly there is still skepticism about whether or not it will help the Marlins. The fact is, their current lease at Joe Robbie, I mean Dolphins Stadium, is darn near criminal. Controlling the revenue streams for their own facility will give them more financial flexibility.

Whether or not Loria uses that money to better the club remains to be seen.

Stadium Deal In Place?

Seems the Marlins will have a new home in 2011.

The vagabond/transient franchise will finally have a place to lay its big ol' fish head: and it looks like it was the place where the Hurricanes and Dolphins abandoned.

The funding, detailed in a 94 page document, breaks down simply like this: the Miami Dade County contribution will be $347M dollars which is composed of $297M in tax dollars generated from tourism and another $155M contributed by the Florida Marlins.

The project will be centered in the Orange Bowl, where a demolition will take place and the new, 37,000 seat stadium will be erected. The new stadium is going to feature a retractable roof as well, which will obviously help the Marlins draw crowds to games during the rainy season in South Florida.

Some are skeptical about the Marlins new stadium and its supposed benefits. Still, the stadium proposal is a part of a larger, billion dollar project that looks to overhaul downtown Miami and redirect the flow of traffic.

Follow the discussion here.

Dallas McPherson Beefs up 3rd Base Depth

With Miguel Cabrera being traded away, the biggest obstacle for the Marlins in the immediate future is trying to recover some of his production. There seems to be a plan in place.

Part I was signing veteran free agents that are undervalued that the Marlins felt could make an immediate contribution. Jorge Cantu and Jose Castillo were signed to give the Marlins some solid options. Cantu, of course, has some upside and could even play 1B or 2B. Castillo has been putting together very good numbers in the Venezuelan League this fall.

Part II must have been to target a young player that is somewhat ready but undervalued. The Marlins found that player in the once highly-touted Dallas McPherson, a product of the Angels system.

Recovering from back surgery which cost him all of the 2007 season, McPherson is looking to catch on with the Marlins and get a fresh start. Players will report February 21st and McPherson expects to immediately contend for the starting 3B spot.

Read more about McPherson's climb back with the Marlins.

New Stadium One Step Closer for Marlins

The Miami Herald is reporting that the Marlins are crossing over crucial hurdles to get their stadium.

An agreement is in place that will see the new stadium built in Little Havana, and it is slated to seat about 37,000 and will have a retractable roof. The total cost for the stadium is about $525M, with the county paying $249M and maintaining ownership, the city will put in $121M while the Marlins will pay $155M up front. There is also a planned parking garage that the city would own.

The stadium is a part of a plan that will overhaul downtown Miami and the total cost of the project is being estimated at abotu $3 billion. The project includes a port-tunnel system to allow heavy trucks to bi-pass main traffic as well as a park and affordable housing and shops for the area. The Marlins proposed stadium would be set as a main draw for the area.