THOMAS JOSEPH

I read your passion and, certainly, the questions you ask are germane to the situation. Still, fans will never be privy to the inner workings of teams, financial information, or even the true expectations. Never is a difficult word to stand on, yet the teams know the fans follow them, even with ups and downs, without inclusion in the internal decisions. Moreover, it is to the team's benefit to play most things close to the vest. Perhaps the most painless way to overcome the systemic and increasing inequalities in baseball (as described by Forbes magazine) is to expand the playoffs again, granting more teams the chance to "just get in." This eases fan hopelessness and mitigates the huge financial gap between the top teams and the rest of the league. While the current playoff format dilutes the regular season compared to the old days of only division winners being included, adding more teams makes the 162-game season akin to the NBA and NHL where more teams make it than miss. Figure on that to happen in the next decade, since the owners don't want a salary cap. In the Marlins situation, the league cannot and will not allow the team to fail with huge expansion money on the line. I figure greater CBT sharing is also on the way. Information, though, is not forthcoming.

Nice way to salvage the series on Sunday. I hear Burger is back for the Dodger series, as well.

Look forward to hearing your full evaluation of the new Marlins. These deals take years to discern, but for most fans like me, the initial lowdown must come from a reliable, reasonable source. I see Padre fans asserting that it was a steal of Arraez already. All in all, it was strictly timing and venue issues for an Arraez trade.

Weathers' six innings surprised and delighted me after the 28-pitch first inning. Well done and more like it. One crushed pitch made the difference, although the Marlins cringingly failed in situational hitting, which continues unabated. DLC's double play with the runner on third and one out set the all-too-familiar tone for the game. Still, we applaud Weathers' work, Luzardo is close to returning (although he might not pitch again for the Marlins, one thinks), and the Arraez move might settle the Burger return roster issue.

I appreciate that Skip acknowledged the normal human reactions to the trade while balancing the professionalism required of the Marlins.

Going with the Marlins to take 2 of three. DLC takes the series MVP.

I'm all in with the upside for Cabrera. Don't trade him, please, and continue to work toward his maturation as a pitcher to combine with his talents. That is supposed to be a Marlins and Stottlemyre specialty, so let's see to it. To this end, Stottlemyre must reiterate how devastating a give-back run is, especially one created by a leadoff walk. Once the Marlins had the lead, the next half-inning sets the tone for the rest of the game. I also cringed at the leadoff walk - it wasn't situational nor was the hitter particularly troublesome. It was simply the old bugaboo that seemed so incongruent with fundamentals. Again. I pitched only through college, but I know how disproportionally a give-back inning applies to the big leagues and a pitcher with Cabrera's stuff shouldn't be nibbling endlessly. I want to forget these types of things after a Marlins win, mostly, and especially, if it's not repeated constantly. Even though it was the Rockies, the start to May is encouraging.

We need a strong few months of production, especially with his limited positional situation, for Bell is important for the Marlins to move him and the $8m at the deadline. It's a long shot now that this will happen, and we know the Marlins won't eat the money. He knows the deal and that he won't be back in Miami next year anyway.

I'm glad I watch every game - not permanently discouraged by April's performances/record. I know there's no postseason this year, but there's no reason to think there will be no progress in the long-term plan. The progress may be quite slow and incremental for fans' tastes, but let's not think this is an entirely wasted season. After the Expos' immediate post-expansion years (1969-1972), which were horrendous, some glimmers appeared in 1973 with Steve Rogers and Gary Carter. The franchise was low-income and fought throughout its tenure with scouting/development (from scratch), finding the proverbial diamonds in the rough, and lots of moves/trades. The Expos developed six HOFers in their 36 seasons - one every six years. Amazing! Perennial competitiveness can be done with the right scouring, coaching, and front-office talent.

I don't care who the Marlins played - two in a row feels so good. No "yeah, buts" from me. Taking the win and smiling watching the young guys taking advantage of their opportunities. We have a couple of months, probably, before the bigger moves start, but I would like to see more position players up - Johnston, Mesa, Jr., Banfield.

Some thoughts on the game last night. Exhilarating, that is, as exhilarating as one can be given the records of the two teams. But who cares? It was fun baseball, the kind that restores some hope, just at the end of a terrible month when such rejuvenation is most welcome. Brujan and Myers are hot - nothing like streaks - ride those horses while we can! The DLC play at the plate is a turnaround play? Not leading to anything too crazy, one suspects, but at least some respectability. Lastly, I feel for Feltner. In the near past, this guy would have been given the chance to close out the game. Frankly, in his position (Feltner was five pitches from his season high, as I understand it) and for the Rockies in their seasonal position, he deserved the chance. For me, these situations always point to my favorite player ever, Steve Rogers. The Expos ace started 393 games in his career and had 129 CGs! That is a bulldog. Moreover, he played his entire career with the Expos. I certainly realize it's a different era, and maybe it's even better objectively, but I don't think so.

I suppose it is ok to be happy Chisholm was ejected - and not only because of the outcome here. Surely, Myers will have more playing time, as well he should. I listened to the X after-game show and wondered about some of Skip's moves myself. After all, if Schumaker gets high marks for last year's "success," doesn't he also have some level of responsibility for the team's non-physical issues this year? I do not subscribe to some level of strategic losing as a way to highlight the front office's moves or lack of moves. Managers have the single mission (for most of us) of winning, something that would be nearly miraculous after this start. Should he do so, or even significantly mitigate the poor start by the end of the season, his stock (i.e., career prospects) also significantly rise. Schumaker may pass small, between-the-lines slaps at Bendix and Sherman, but that's it. Accordingly, it is perfectly reasonable to question on-field actions.

Look, blowing a seven-run lead is rare, but losing the game, to boot, truly hurts. Remember the 20th win in a row for the Oakland A's as depicted in "Moneyball?" The Royals stormed back from a huge deficit. Of course, Hatteberg's home run walks it off, and all is well - the win and the streak are saved. The Marlins loss to the Nationals on Sunday had no such happy ending. The team now owns the worst record in baseball. Peter Bendix is swimming against a tide of fan despair and anger. We fans cannot see the entire picture - finances, internal discussions, expectations, and anticipated timelines are all unavailable. While I suspect the brain trust is honestly surprised at this level of ineptitude, they certainly WANT to win and draw fine crowds. Wags counter that these two obvious things are pollyannish or delusional. OK, fair enough. Win with these players? Ask people to attend games to see such a poor team, at an inconvenient ballpark, on top of past spurious situations? However, we must take a step back. For our mental health and because, well, it's only baseball and not life and death. I read several posts on "X" that call the year a total loss. Even if that is so, the season is qualified to be the often-rough start to important, systemic changes. It's a purge of our baseball system. We know the scouting and developmental foundation of the franchise must be amended. Low-income franchises must excel in this area to attain long-term competitiveness. We can look to the Orioles and Astros for comfort (or my oft-referenced Montreal Expos developmental prowess, starting from dead scratch as an expansion team in 1969). We simply must acknowledge those teams' agonizing seasons as a component - medicine, so to speak - that has led to amazing success (Astros) and a current robust, young, exciting team (Orioles). Yet, it is important to realize those teams did/do not face the challenges the Marlins have when it comes to payroll limitations. Bendix is fighting a two-front war without the support of the civilian population (sorry for the martial metaphor). Perhaps (continuing with the metaphor), he will be our George Washington - losing many battles, but staying true to the disciplined plan, gaining strength, and prevailing. If history, much less baseball history, reveals anything, it is that "hopeless" situations turn around and groups rise again. The Dodgers could spend their $3 billion in the next five years (to go along with the billions already spent in the Roberts era) and have only the pathetic 2020 fishbowl "championship" to show for it. Nothing is guaranteed. Atlanta won only one World Series in their dominating decade of the 1990s. David Samson is right (cringe) when he states that he would rather have two championships in thirty years and stink for the other twenty-eight years than be "competitive" throughout and win nothing. No fan is truly happy being "competitive," or winning regular season games. Ask the Dodger fans if they would trade their great regular seasons. No one cares. Similarly, like Sunday's game, it hurts a lot more to lose that one than a 10-2 drubbing ever will. Yes, I realize the new playoff system is the impetus for a "just get in" mentality. That is smart and realistic - sorry. It will be the ticket for the Marlins again, as well. So, while we are rightly frustrated, embarrassed, and ticked off, let's give Bendix a chance. When the team wins number three, it will be incredibly sweet. Wouldn't it be fantastic if the Marlins won number three before the Dodgers, Braves, or Yankees won it all again? Oops!

Our guys are not bulldogs. I only played into college, never reached the lofty heights. Still, pitching is pitching, and the coaching I received is ever pertinent. With a big lead, pitch to contact - no free passes (including HBPs). Take your outs and move the game along. Brujan's error epitomizes the team because it was entirely avoidable, the product of a lackadaisical approach, forced Weathers to throw more pitches, and brings into question Skip's positioning. I have to agree that the positioning was odd. Most of all, our pitchers have to get mean, for themselves and for the team. Demand respect. No matter what the final record, make teams work when they play the Marlins.

Good to hear some positive news, especially regarding catching. The three guys you mentioned in the article certainly must see the current positional production (lack of production) in Miami as fantastic opportunities for them.

Predicting a Marlins 2-1 series win over the Nationals with Jesus Sanchez as the MVP. Thanks.

Well, the law of averages said that I will eventually win a series prediction!

Ely, I have to say that my respect for you and all the FOF guys is increasing as this difficult season unfolds. It's a tough gig, balancing realistic expectations with constructive criticism, all the while managing a disgruntled fan base. I recently decided to take up "X" and participate in the Marlins community there. It's surly, to state the obvious. Your recommendation to "slow it down and take a move at a time" is right on with me. There truly is no reason to scream about Sherman every day and demand a $50 million payroll increase, or the like. I'm in for the long haul with the team and with FOF. Ciao.

Although I doubt Sanchez is meant to be a regular starter, never say never with the Marlins. Moreover, I hold my breath regarding any more injuries among the starters, especially while Braxton is still in the minors and Puk is out. I am with you, though, by having a strange feeling that Sanchez's start today will be a good one.

I can see Cooper returning as Bendix constantly looks for "deals," so to speak. Garrett's redux might also lift the team's collective spirits. He appears to be well-liked, and his cost isn't prohibitive. Of course, the roster spot issue is immediately teed up. We should forget the "Garcia must go" mantra because the Marlins have different thoughts on the matter. Realistically, with the team struggling, I suppose the question is: "Why not give him another shot?"

(Another beautiful rant from a bit ago.) I agree that Miguel Cabrera has a HOF career resume. Moreover, Marlins fans identify him with their World Championship. But we need to be very real about the unmitigated disaster that his 8-year extension has been. The first year, 2016, was excellent (with a 7.4 WARP) and this would have been the time to move him at his peak value point, setting up the team’s future. Instead, the next seven years, SEVEN, are horrific by consuming a huge percentage of the team’s payroll in one ineffective player and taking up a valuable roster spot. Cabrera SEVEN-YEAR WARP from 2017 to 2023 is 5.1 (less than 0.75/year) at the cost of $216 million! That’s over $43 million for each win above replacement over the last seven years. Forty-three million dollars per over replacement win. Perhaps only Strasburg’s contract is arguably worse in the entire history of baseball. So, this future HOFer leaves the scene with the last SEVEN years of his career as an utter failure, not just mediocrity. Joey Votto, another player who may have a HOF case, is another unmitigated disaster for his Reds team. Votto’s ridiculously unwise extension, where he, too, should have been moved at a peak value registers a 7.4 WAR for the last SIX YEARS at a cost of over $150 million (1.23/year over that stretch). Perhaps more than Detroit, Votto’s anemic production has hamstrung his team, effectively flushing those years during which his salary was a preposterous percentage of their total payroll. Votto’s last six-year legacy is $20 million per over replacement wins. Twenty million dollars. Even the New York Mets are paying less than $1.9 million per win in this, their very disappointing season. Can anyone argue that these two men did not hamstring their clubs for six or seven seasons? Even if we remove the 2020 season from the equations, there is no redeeming quality. Fans may perceive a future HOF enshrinement as a combination of tangible (team loyalty, merchandise, etc.) and intangible (team reputation, pride, legacy) value. Make no mistake, however, if forced to tell the truth, both teams and their owners would gladly turn the clock back, make a trade, or forego the respective extensions altogether, if they had the chance. Seeing these men enter the HOF with another cap would be just fine when balanced against over $357 million, wasted seasons, and missed opportunities.

(Another archived rant that I wrote a while back.) The oddness that was the 2020 season? Sixty games, ever-changing rules, no fans, neutral sites, and on and on with the inane pile emanating from that entire year of dog crap. I put no stock in any of it, including the so-called World Championship, which is a disgraceful doppelganger of real championship seasons. MLB should be embarrassed that they rammed through that makeshift crap. Of course, the owners are hardly guardians of the game's integrity. This is so only to the extent it affects business, which is not unreasonable per se. So, telling us moon-eyed, drooling fans that this disgrace of a season is equal to the other real seasons dilutes the value of the so-called World Championship. Thankfully, the Dodgers "won," and not the Marlins. Imagine the howls and gnashing of teeth had the Marlins won their THIRD championship since the last Dodger title in 1988. Oops! Since LA won, it is, certainly, legitimate. Sure, it is. MLB's pathetic owners are never done with their sullying of the National Pastime. That's the one area in which our current crop of POS owners excels! Accordingly, look for more uniform ad patches, including a brand name across the asses of players, and lots more gimmicky rule changes. We must change with the times, right?

(Putting my Marlins and general baseball comments/rants here to get my new blog started. Here is one of 'em.) Of course, Greg Maddux, Gaylord Perry, and Bert Blyleven would be slaughtered if they pitched in today's game. They didn't throw 97 mph. Pretenders! Then, the endlessly parroted gibberish goes like this: Starters don't go deep into games anymore. Those short starts add up and diminish the bullpen over the season. But we can't allow starters to go into the dreaded third time through the order, heaven forbid.! Baseball's league average over the years is ridiculously tepid, even after/with the "savior element" (the DH). Still, six innings is a quality start, and we should be so elated if there is one. Who can ask for any more than that for a guy making $25M to do so every five days? Luckily, though, the games are shorter, we monitor "disengagements," and have all sorts of cool video-game-esque stats on the screen to watch in between the pitch clock resets. Oh, and Jazz is on the cover of a video game, so he is awesome, dude (in the one-half of our games that he plays)!

I didn't miss the first game with the Cubs because of the weather - keeping my streak alive. I hope to see every Marlins game this year. Going to Great American Ballpark to see them with the Reds in person. Speaking of going to the park, I had another fine experience at loanDepot. Great seats in Section 13. Used the LDP valet parking for the first time - fantastic service. The roof was closed Wednesday and it was quite comfortable. Lots of Giants fan. We sat next to a New York transplant guy older than me who lives in Lauderdale. In front of us was a Marlins season ticket holder originally from Western Canada, so my Expos fandom was a great conversation topic. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I even used a $25-off-$100 merch voucher from the Marlins for some new caps. I'll be back in September for my usual biannual road trip series. Support the team and stay the course, Marlins fans!

I'm heading down for the games tomorrow and Wednesday. So, I have to project the good vibes and call for a Marlins sweep of the Giants. This will push confidence for the team going forward as Cabrera and Garrett return. The MVP for the series will be Luis Arraez. Thanks, and see the series preview podcast this evening.