11
2011
From Left Field: Really, the Marlins?
An article by 
When this offseason began, I expected teams like the San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and even the Philadelphia Phillies to throw their hat into the ring, in addition to the Mets of course.
But just this week an interesting suitor emerged for Reyes…the Miami Marlins.
As the team prepares to move into their new stadium, the Marlins have made it a point to seek high profile free agents in attempt to lure fans to their ballpark.
Reyes was first on the list, even though Hanley Ramirez is currently the team’s shortstop. The Marlins will also be meeting with the biggest star on the market, Albert Pujols.
The question is where are the Marlins getting all this money. They must really be expected a boom in ticket sales and merchandise upon moving into their new home.
While the team would be in no position to offer long-term contracts, the marlins will be making a run at free agents by offering a huge annual salary and not as many years.
For example, early speculation suggests that the Marlins would pay Reyes $20-30 million per year but for just three years.
So if you were Reyes, what would you do?
Let’s take a realistic angle and say that the Mets are basically out of contention to sign Jose. Would you go to a team offering your five or six years at around $15-20 million per year or sign for a three-year, $60 million contract?
While virtually all of us will never be faced with that decision, players these days seem to be more concerned with the numbers of years than the price value. Look at C.C. Sabathia. He wanted the security of a few more years on his contract and he got it.
So Reyes will be faced with a tough decision. An even tougher one would be to play for a Mets division rival. While it’s not necessarily the Phillies or Braves, the Marlins will still be playing the Mets 19 times in 2012.
Reyes apparently liked what the Marlins had to offer but will shop around for other offers. One of those will come from the Mets, but will it be what Reyes wants?
This whole process is gaining steam much sooner than expected, so the Mets will either have to take action or sit back while their best player is courted by Miami.
About the Author: Jim Mancari
Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.
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In the NFL I’d go for 3yr/20-25mil a year
In the MLB I’d go for the years and security first.
If a team is offering me 3/60 and another is offering me 5/85, I’m taking the 5 years guaranteed any day.
Let me ask a silly question lets say the marlins sign him 3/60. And then they get another smaller free agent like a buehrle. What’s the future for Reyes in Miami during those 3 years? Are they suddenly a title contender? If they get Pujols AND Reyes than yea… but its not like he turns them into some huge threat.
So why do it? He’ll then be a 31 year old free agent, and likely slower so who’s gonna give him a big contract then?
If he doesn’t want long term security than the only reason other than greed to take a 3/60 from Miami is because you think you can win a title there and that’s not a safe bet right now
Maybe if he does sign with the Marlins, him, Hanley, and Pujols can have a talk with LeBron, DWade, and Bosch about all them champ..ion..oh ya. Never mind
“So if you were Reyes, what would you do?
Let’s take a realistic angle and say that the Mets are basically out of contention to sign Jose. Would you go to a team offering your five or six years at around $15-20 million per year or sign for a three-year, $60 million contract?”
I’d go fo’ da chedda. No one knows better than Reyes he’s a DL stint waiting to happen. I think he’s gotta take the $90-$120 guaranteed million and not the higher annual salary because who knows where his legs are in three more years. He might not be able to command another $60 mil in three years.
ESPN Radio said their was a report that the Nationals are setting up a meeting with Reyes next week. So far those who know him best, the NL East are lining up. Except us of course.
What people don’t seem to understand is their lack of spending ways had to do with the fact they were not making ANY money from the concessions at Joe Robbie (aka Insert name here stadium)
This goes as far back as when Huizenga owned the team which is when they first won the WS and first Sell Off ensued right after it!
The Miami Dolphins OWN the stadium and make all the proceeds from concessions sold there. Huizenga tried to get his own stadium at the time and was rebuffed. He then sold off most of his best talent and then sold off the entire team!
The only reason the Marlins have been so cheap is they were NEVER on the same financial footing as the rest of the league due to that stadium situation.
That situation is now gone. They don’t really NEED to sell out the stadium (But I’m sure they would like to) and they know they are going to get extra income on concessions that they were denied previously!
So yes having their own stadium has changed EVERYTHING for them.
They no longer have to play like they are a small market team in Miami which is smaller than NY but much larger than some other cities that have baseball.
They don’t even need to sellout to make as much as they made last year because of all that extra cash they now get!
And they are smart enough to know that you need stars to draw people and season ticket holders and are going after the player who WILL DRAW people to the games!
More than I can say for us!