THOMAS JOSEPH

At least we are comforted that the horrendous Cabrera extension, one of the worst in baseball history, was avoided. The last seven years of that extension hamstrung the Tigers - most of an entire decade. They are now flourishing with young players and building a solid, long-term core for way less money.

Ready to make moves on the dime - plenty of pickings in our price range as things flush out or injuries manifest. Waiting is the smart play for the Marlins at this stage, especially as we see how the starting pitching staff does or does not come together as anticipated.

Just because we have a $90m budget should not mean there is any hurry. We know the team will evolve under Bendix anyway. Skip the peak value FAs, and let's see who gets cut in ST or needs a late-deal roster spot. In the meantime, keep options open, that includes a payroll slack. The Marlins are quite unlikely to overcome the three teams ahead (a Met Soto signing notwithstanding) this year. There's no reason to spend for a piecemeal 2 WAR player. Will it make a difference for the money? Doesn't it remove a roster spot during the time we should be evaluating or showcasing? C: Nick Fortes ($1.60M) 1B: Jake Burger ($0.80M) 2B: Otto Lopez ($0.80M) 3B: Connor Norby ($0.80M) SS: Xavier Edwards ($0.80M) LF: Jesus Sanchez ($3.20M) CF: Dane Myers ($0.80M) RF: Griffin Conine ($0.80M) DH: Jonah Bride ($0.80M) 4th OF: Kyle Stowers ($0.80M) 5th OF: Derek Hill ($0.80M) Utility: Vidal Brujan ($0.80M) Backup C: Jhonny Pereda ($0.80M) NA: Garcia ($12.00M) SP1: Sandy Alcantara ($17.30M) SP2: Jesus Luzardo ($6.00M) SP3: Ryan Weathers ($0.80M) SP4: Braxton Garrett ($1.80M) SP5: Edward Cabrera ($2.20M) RP: Calvin Faucher ($0.80M) RP: Andrew Nardi ($0.80M) RP: Jesus Tinoco ($0.80M) RP: Anthony Bender ($1.40M) RP: Declan Cronin ($0.80M) RP: Mike Baumann ($0.80M) RP: Lake Bachar ($0.80M) RP: Xzavion Curry ($0.80M) NA: Go ($2.30M) Payroll is 30.00% under budget

"I live in Florida..." Huh. Since the Marlins have two WS titles in their history, the same as the Dodgers and Braves in the same time frame, is this guy saying that if the team "is good" fans will be satisfied? He offers the same old ridiculous blather. No matter what anyone says ("We just want to be competitive"), no one is satisfied without WS titles. No one. The "competitive" howling depletes quickly. He might want to ask how disappointed 1990s Braves fans are or check in with Phillies fans if the team produced no titles in the Harper era. This leaves out the extraordinarily high Yankee fan expectations, a category of its own. This is not a barometer of financial circumstances. I understand that teams may be financially adequate for their ownership, with team valuation increases, but this means nothing to the fans. Of course, his "yada yada" question disrespecting McCullough's expressed thoughts is just a lead-in for his boring, uninspired thoughts on the Marlins performances since 1993. How unique! I wish I was the interviewee. My retort to Mr. Original would be, "I wonder if the Brewers, Rockies, Padres, Mariners, or Rays would trade total records with the Marlins? How many of the remaining teams would trade from 1993 to the present? Pirates, Guardians, Angels, Cubs, Reds?

The systemic inequities are worse now than ever with the rise of deferrals and the recent shake-out in the local television arrangement. Without unexpected self-correction (fat chance) and revenue increases from local broadcast providers in the future (moving in the opposite direction), the next CBA is where the line in the sand must be drawn. The Dodgers have exacerbated things to the point that the showdown is inevitable. Our friend, David Samson, said yesterday that big divisions within the MLB owner ranks are predictably drawn between the low- and high-revenue teams. Undoubtedly, much higher CBT penalties, calculation changes, and heavy restrictions in the deferral system are at the top of the list. Since the players will not be onboard with any changes, expect a work stoppage. The low-revenue teams simply cannot allow the current structure to continue. It is a survivability issue. I expect a lost 2027, or another significantly truncated season, a la 2020, billed as an acceptable substitute. It's best to be firm, take the hits, and dig in heels now, although kicking the proverbial can down the road is what the owners do best.

Great to see Dane in the Dominican League. I loved the setup he made for the throw to the plate in one of your top plays. Hope he gets excellent playing time in 2024.

Enjoyed that! Thanks for the compilation and smiles. PS - I will miss Severino next year. Sigh. Hope everyone had a pleasant and relaxing Thanksgiving Weekend. No politics! LOL.

I have hotel and other arrangements in place for the last week of February in Jupiter. I spend a hunk of the winter in Jacksonville, which leaves a pleasant drive down the coast. I preferred Space Coast Stadium, formerly the Expos ST site, and then it served the Nationals. The Viera, Florida, location was even closer to Jax, and I had my favorite restaurants and the like. Oh, well, nothing can stay the same. As for me, I like the foul territory bullpens, especially in ST. Perhaps it's just nostalgic, but it's still one of the aspects of many MiLB facilities that I like. Again, times change, and I figure most people (as well as the players) prefer the outfield configuration. It's a longer run into the infield when there's a brawl! LOL.

This is a fine overview article - well done - and thanks for all the hard work! Expos fans have deemed the names Loria and Samson as anathema. Jack Todd of the Montréal Gazette still closes every column with a weekly "Heroes" and "Zeros" list. The Zeros always end with "David Samson &&&& last but not least, Jeffrey Loria." Nevertheless, I have read extensively on the situation (including Loria's new book From the Front Row) and feel Loria's demonization is unreasonable. There were behind-the-scenes machinations that allowed Loria to take full control of the Expos, that is, diluting his partners' shares when they failed to make cash calls. The increasingly untenable situation in Montréal (including the rejection of a new stadium by the city and provincial governments) finally led to the Marlins "swap" arrangement involving Henry, the Red Sox, and MLB. But everything is mitigated by the failures and shortcomings of his Québec partners, all of whom were astute businesspeople.

In keeping with the fickle reliever model, I think it's reasonable to expect a nice rebound from our southpaw friend.

I am happy to give him a chance. Many successful coaches fit Moskos' general profile: some big-league experience but not stardom. Of course, the proliferation of middling/mediocre/backup catchers comes to mind. Since coaching combines knowledge, relationship building, and relatability (I will not use emotional intelligence), there's no reason he can't succeed in Miami. Hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving!

This seems unnecessary, to be honest, but we'll carry on.

Reading this article and Alex Carver's this week, I had two diverse thoughts. The first was a kind of exuberance that a new era for the Marlins has begun in earnest - comprehensive and strategic. It's heady, adventurous. After the Reconquista, Spain's monarchs realized the country needed hope and lofty goals. These required risk-taking and some fresh blood. Hyperbolic, yes! And that's what we need to start off the Bendix Era. On the other end of things, I continue to sense a "de-Americanization" of baseball. I know there has long been concern that black Americans were (had already?) moved to football and basketball. Is the future the Caribbean baseball factory with more Japanese and Korean players in the mix? Are there ramifications or should we consider roster restrictions like the CFL has for non-Canadians to protect the erstwhile National Pastime?

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!