What are the Marlins doing?

[snepp]

Loria is the worst owner in baseball. Maybe even in all sports.

Selig and his cronies should be ashamed of all the enabling they've done for that slimeball.

[Pius Jefferson]

What have they done that's so bad? Trade an underachieving starting pitcher, a middle infielder, and pain in the ass who hasn't backed it up on the field the last year seasons. If they made any mistakes it was before the season. Not trading Ramirez after they signed Reyes and hiring Ozzie Guillen.

[Fatt Crapps]

At least the citizens of Miami got the stadium they so desperately wanted.

[kab21]

I can understand that this sends a bad message but these aren't bad moves for the team to move forward. they traded a soon to be FA, a 30+ yr old utility player and prima donna that needed to get out. Josh Johnson is a continual injury waiting to happen and a FA in 1.5 yrs. If they can land a top prospect for him then that's good long term. And they freed up a bunch of money to make another splash if they want.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I can understand that this sends a bad message but these aren't bad moves for the team to move forward. they traded a soon to be FA, a 30+ yr old utility player and prima donna that needed to get out. Josh Johnson is a continual injury waiting to happen and a FA in 1.5 yrs. If they can land a top prospect for him then that's good long term. And they freed up a bunch of money to make another splash if they want.

I understand the moves and if it was anyone other than Loria doing it, I might even agree with them.

 

But if I was one of the fourteen Marlins fans in Miami, I'd be frothing at the mouth right now. PR has to be a consideration and given Loria's track record, you don't firesale four months after opening a publicly-financed stadium.

[kab21]

I can understand that this sends a bad message but these aren't bad moves for the team to move forward. they traded a soon to be FA, a 30+ yr old utility player and prima donna that needed to get out. Josh Johnson is a continual injury waiting to happen and a FA in 1.5 yrs. If they can land a top prospect for him then that's good long term. And they freed up a bunch of money to make another splash if they want.

[drjim]

Anyone think a similar backlash is what might be preventing the Twins from really cleaning house this deadline? It probably makes sense to trade Morneau, Willingham, and Span in addition to Liriano (and Capps and Pavano if they come back by the end of August), but the big talker will be dropping all that salary only three years after moving into a new stadium and the Pohlads lining their pockets.

 

Even if it is the right baseball moves, there is a huge PR consideration.

[kab21]

Losing is bad PR also.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Miami has the Heat. No reason to feel sorry for them.

[drjim]

Losing is bad PR also.

True, but there is no guarantee that trading Willingham will increase wins down the line. It does depend (obviously) on what the package is in return. He is signed to a good contract, isn't blocking anyone right now, and doesn't have an obvious replacement in the immediate future.

 

I think there is value in keeping a certain level of play (that is, don't let it completely collapse) that could outweigh an uncertain benefit down the line.