THOMAS JOSEPH

I wonder if Alex can chime in on the Cuban baseball situation in general. Without the organic MLB presence and evaluation process, are Cuban players higher risks than players from the DR, for example? Also, since the players there are in a more isolationist situation, with less international competition overall, are Cuban players generally "behind" the developmental curve? How does technology, of the lack of it in internal Cuban baseball development, figure in to the MLB team perceptions of Cuban players?

Thank you for broaching the subject creatively! Most of us are frustrated with handwringing and doomsaying about the Marlins' situation, ownership, or competitive paths, unaccompanied by any realistic alternatives. As you and your team have written on many occasions, moves of this type also have at least the potential for trade deadline flips, as well. Even if those don't materialize, acquisitions like the examples you mentioned are neither unmanageable albatrosses nor budget-busters on the front end. If the Marlins continue to show/raise their savviness, then we can reasonably expect some of the accompanying prospects to contribute. So, we figure that the FO weighs these types of deals, your presentation should expand fans' viewpoints and demonstrate there are options.

I think you're right, even though that valuation is plenty strong. The team has a stadium commitment, so they cannot threaten relocation even if there was another approvable target city (there certainly isn't now with the A's and Rays uncertainties). Moreover, with a very tough attendance ceiling. the Marlins can improve their financial situation and team valuation, but it will be in a longer, incremental way via sustained on-field improvements, or (and this is a big caveat), MLB realizes the systemic inequalities and votes for a significantly higher CBT with reasonable thresholds after the 2026 season. Since there will likely be a work stoppage, I wouldn't hold my breath for anything but an incremental CBT increase - nothing near what the Marlins and other low-revenue teams need.

I saw how the lighter, short-term deals really hurt the Expos over the years. It retarded planning and fan base growth - both of which exacerbated the team's narrow windows of opportunity. I suppose it is the proverbial Catch-22 for low-revenue teams. It seems inevitable that the next CBA will result in another work stoppage because the owners must defend the developmental system, or low-revenue teams have no chance. The alternative is to increase the CBT significantly. Of course, the MLBPA have their own ideas.

As always, so much information for the Fish Followers. Appreciate it. I heard that Siri wasn't popular, so a trade seemed imminent. The "even" money television deal is narrowly good to hear, but the lack of a long-term commitment contributes even more to the already high reluctance to commit to ostensibly affordable free agents. Nick Martinez at S21m. I guess it was a crapshoot, especially for the Reds. It will, of course, be another miscalculation because baseball is afraid of its own shadows. Groupthink and fear of loss rule the roost.

Well done, young Sean! Too much information for me to digest quickly, especially for an antediluvian like me. I promise that I will chew on it and see if there's anything to add or question (I know you wait with great anticipation - LOL). Anyway, I appreciate the hard work and insights.

Apologies to all the doomsayers, but I am not much on handwringing and tsk-tsking all the time. We are in a new situation, so be skeptical all you wish, but also be reasonable. There's no magic dust and we do not have the revenue of the top ten teams. Sorry, that's the lay of the land. So, let's get started with the new comprehensive plan. What the heck else are we going to do? Sherman cannot sell because the team has not appreciated in value. He borrowed $400 million to buy the team and there was a little problem in 2020 that you might recall, that cost tens of millions in lost revenue. Let's at least try to pull together.

The press conference was fine, not too cringeworthy as these types of things are wont to be. I realize it's a time for flattering praise for the choice, that's obligatory, just as are the gung-ho statements about the future. Everyone should believe that these things are happening! As a relatively new Marlins fan, I don't have the weariness that others have, all of which is perhaps understandable. Yet, as an old warrior from my thirty years as an Expos fan, I never failed to be optimistic about every Spring Training team, and every new manager. Without hope and optimism, even if it is realistically cautious, why root for any sports team?

Appreciate it, guys.

Reclamation project, indeed. Hmm.

During my "sabbatical" years. I was completely tuned out of MLB from 2005 to 2019. Honestly, I did not know anything about this fellow. It's a weird, yet cathartic, gap I needed at the time - and one I just let lie.

I like McCullough. The obligatory statements aside, he seems amenable to the process, appreciative of the opportunity, and anxious to get rolling. We're in the doldrums now, all the live coverage is over, and we must put up with the non-stop Soto sweepstakes. You guys have the task of keeping us all awake through these doldrums. I don't want to have to do crosswords and browse the Lingopie app all day! I've even bought the Loria audiobook, for heaven's sake!

Well, that's a good point. I bet he wanted to be proactive. Can't blame him. Maybe he'll pull a Fedde.

Perhaps, that is why MLB has a cursory production. One camera angle, no player profiles, no stat graphics, etc. It's bare bones, which is odd to me. I realize some of the league coincides with the playoffs, however, anyone watching is probably a deep baseball fan who would appreciate an effort to promote these supposedly up-and-comers. Cheers.

It's fascinating that two AL teams will play the entire 2025 season in minor league parks. Kinda cool, to be honest, since the intimacy is quite a draw, I would think, along with creating immediately higher ticket prices. Supply and demand are always manifest. I saw Brodie Brazil's podcasts about the wild Sacramento ticket prices, reflecting the city's fan interest combined with limited seating. The Rays' off-field decisions, which are bound by and in conjunction with the governmental authorities, would also be unique, except the A's are in a similar boat. Could the 2025 Tampa-side experience be the impetus for a change in the location of the new Rays stadium away from St. Petersburg after all? Lastly, I reiterate that letting Oller leave seems misguided. He was adequate, ate innings, and was inexpensive - juxtaposed upon the team's starting staff questions. Oh, well.

I appreciate the hard work, keeping me and other Marlins fans updated. I watched quite a bit of the AFL on MLB. You mentioned on the last FOF podcast that the Javelinas were an outlier of ineptness, Many of their losses were lopsided. Still, there were some bright spots. Alderman's situation seems odd, that he would not (perhaps could not) rearrange his wedding/honeymoon until the league ended. Without reading too much into it, his assignment and the other designees lend credence to the AFL's seemingly diminished status, at least for the Marlins.

Well done.

As a child, I loved the Cowardly Lion's "If I Were King" number in The Wizard of Oz. It wasn't only Bert Lahr's iconic emoting, but the idea of being so wonderfully and totally in charge, setting things right with the wave of a regal hand. Of course, such ruminations are fanciful. Not. I want to pontificate on the changes I would implement as Commissioner of Baseball. Moreover, since this is my fantasy article, there are no MLBPA, CBA, umpires' union, owner, or legal obstacles to my will. Boom. Here are my ten edicts as King Commissioner - to be promulgated immediately: 1) No jewelry of any kind is allowed on the field. That means no earrings, chains, baubles, bling, whatever. A single ring may be worn - wedding or otherwise. Somehow (somehow!) players must find a way to work for a few hours without this accouterment. Oh, the horror! 2) Only clothing and devices that align with official team colors may be worn on the field. Yeah, cleats/shoes, headbands, pads, "oven mitts," everything except gloves, which may be brown or black, regardless of official team colors. 3) Hair may not obstruct the player or coach's name on the back of uniforms. Figure it out or cut it. 4) All advertising is hereby banned from uniforms, helmets, devices, etc., and monies obtained for said advertising must be refunded (pro-rata). Soccer sucks and I don't want our uniforms to look like an airline playing a crypto dealer. 5) Any person assigned a uniform number must wear the team uniform jersey with that number during games, matching the players on the field. If desired, a team-approved jacket may be worn over the uniform jersey. No hoodies, t-shirts, or other gear may be worn during a game/in the dugout by any personnel with an assigned number. 6) Standard sanitary hose with stirrups must be worn by all personnel with an assigned uniform number. Socks must be between 12" and 18" from the shoe tops with a minimum of 3" of top stirrup color showing. Uniform pants must extend to the top of the socks. Too much? Aww. 7) StatCast ABS systems currently installed in stadiums will replace the ball and strike calls, effective immediately. Home plate umpires receive the strike notification signal and pass it on to the field of play. There are no challenges to the system. 8) The Designated Hitter rule is hereby suspended, and traditional rules are reinstated immediately. Pitchers will hit or be pinch-hit for. Sorry, old guys. 9) Head-first slides are banned, effective immediately. 10) Any team playing the Dodgers starts the game with two additional runs, applied in the first inning - just because I said so. Other teams may be added at the Commissioner's discretion. It's kinda like polo. Innovation, innovation! 11) I know I said ten, but I want another. The CBT is hereby tripled, effective immediately, with no "grandfathering." Aww, sorry, you big spenders, you. If you disagree, write your own blog article! LOL. So let it be written, so let it be done. (Sorry. Wrong movie.)

I might have been dreaming, but I thought Eugenio Sáurez played in the tournament. Fun to watch.

One would think that that the "hopeless situation" blather, so often proven wrong, might eventually diminish as people get smarter. We do get smarter, right? It must be human nature or recency bias. As for me, I like the new power triumvirate in Miami. Let's see what these guys build. It would be so much fun and so satisfying to watch them achieve success. Doesn't the pendulum always swing back? I'll check out Bluesky - never heard of it, but then again, I'm old. LOL. I actually remember Jeremy Powell and his one season with the Expos, wearing Warren Cromartie's #49. Of course, I've seen him with the Shrimp. Jeremy recalls the Expos' other Powell - outfielder Alonzo - although both didn't stick long. Thanks for the podcast link.

Well done - a ton of information to keep us updated! Cheers.

McCollough will do just fine. Low stress and lots of upside - a couple of factors that help in any new job environment.

I agree and that's reasonable within the relative context of the 30-team lure. It isn't that there were only three guys. There are hundreds who could legitimately be the manager. Hell, I'd like a former Expo, like Tim Wallach or Larry Parrish, just because! Hundreds. But, like any search, the group is winnowed down and then it plays out. They say the same things all the time - who would want that job, etc. Many were surprised with Venable, the crowned heir-apparent in Arlington. Also, frankly, I'm a hundred percent believer that loyalty and unanimity of purpose (with the FO strategy) is way more important than anything else, especially in this (analytics) era.

I hear you and those are legitimate musings. My thought is that Sherman will not (actually, cannot) sell the team because it has not appreciated. Has it lost value? Who knows. But what is absolutely true is a significant comeback under the Bendix plan will lift the team value/ROI. I suspect the CBA/CBT changes and TV issues will be hugely impactful, as well. Many see the antagonism coming to a head (the Pohlad heirs, Reinsdorf, the Lerners, and possibly even Moreno is Anaheim) and want to cash in now. Until all these things, 2027 at the earliest, it isn't likely Sherman could even sell if he wanted to, IMO.

Oh, yes. I think that is the approach our fans should take. We can't simply recharge like many teams do, year in and year out. At least not now while the developmental side is subpar. I agree with Samson that low-revenue teams are all about hitting the opportunity window. That takes talent up and down the organization, and a commitment to the strategy long-term. I also think your right about a title run. It's a crapshoot - who is hot, who can keep injuries down, and the nebulous "chemistry" we hear about all the time. I saw it with the Nationals in 2019 - we can do the same, no doubt in my mind - especially with the pitching possibilities.