Thoughts on the Direction of the Miami Marlins

Apr 12, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Juan Pierre (9) reacts from the dugout in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. The Phillies won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

When the Marlins decided to trade away Hanley Ramirez, Omar Infante, Gaby Sanchez, and Anibal Sanchez at the trade deadline last season, the reality of yet another re-building process was beginning to set into a lot of peoples mind’s here in South Florida. With these trades being approved, the Marlins had all but given up on the season. Finishing last in the division, many people thought that it couldn’t get any worse and then it happened. On November 19^th, 2012, the Miami Marlins shot their fans and players right in the heart after they traded Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Emilio Bonifacio, Mark Buehrle, and John Buck to the Toronto Blue Jays for Yunel Escobar, Jeff Mathis and prospects.

At the time, the trade was viewed as a complete fire-sale by the Marlins organization. Although it was approved by the MLB, there was speculation on whether or not the league should let the trade be processed or not. Not only were analyst across the league bashing the Marlins for this shameful move, but fans spread out throughout Dade, Broward, and surrounding counties sharing their thoughts and opinions as well. Fans clearly showed their negative thoughts on the situation. In fact, a few fans even decided to protest the Marlins.

As the offseason continued to grow old, the Marlins were still left with nothing on the roster. Two of the biggest free agent signings by the fish were former Marlin Juan Pierre and 37 year old Placido Polanco. Although Polanco is off to a somewhat decent start, signings such as those aren’t going to help a team that is going through a re-building stage improve. Unlike the exciting offseason of two years ago, this past offseason was the complete opposite.

When the season was closely approaching the Marlins were projected to finish at the bottom portion of not only the National League East, but the entire MLB. Unfortunately, those awful predictions seem to be coming true. So far the Marlins have played 19 games and have won only 4 of them. Currently those 4 wins give them the worst record in the big leagues. In the span of these 19 games, the Marlins are currently ranked 30^th in runs, batting average, and slugging percentage. The one category in which they are not in last is on base percentage; they’re ranked 30^th. Much like the offense, the pitching is struggling as well. The Marlins pitching is currently ranked 24^th in ERA, 23 in quality starts, 27^th in WHIP and 27^th in batting average against. With a struggling offense and defense, the Marlins are not only having a tough time earning victories, but also a tough time putting people in the seats.

Mar 20, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder

(27) reacts in the dugout in the fourth inning during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Recently I was at my local Subway. As I was paying, I saw a slip of paper with the Miami Marlins logo on it. As I picked up the voucher, I was in shock because of what I was reading. In a nut-shell the voucher said “Eat at Subway and get a five dollar ticket to a Marlins game.” I was in disbelief. Is it really that bad attendance wise? Well the very next day I went to a Marlins game against the Phillies. My question was quickly answered; yes, it is that bad. When I arrived to my seats, I looked out to a sea of blue. No, it wasn’t everyone where your blue shirt day. The sea of blue I am referring to is the blue seats of the stadium. The emptiness was pathetic. Due to the lack of people in the seats, I was able to move down to the third base line in the lower level.  It has to be discouraging to the players who have to trout out to the field and be able to count the amount of people watching them.

It is obvious that something has to be done here. There shouldn’t be that many empty seats and this team shouldn’t be this bad. I am personally tired of watching this team night in and night out lose ball games by more than five runs. It happens too often. Sooner or later Jeffrey Loria is going to have to do something. Whether it’s firing his stepson David Samson or firing himself and selling this team, something has to happen. Personally I would like to see him fire Samson and himself. For us fans we will extend our arms to whoever the owner would be. At this point, anything is better than what we have. Unfortunately, I don’t see this self-conscious owner selling the team anytime soon. Instead he will continue to trade away quality players and destroy this joke of a franchise.

Thanks for Reading!