When Fans are Blinded by Money...

Being a Marlins fan is usually a roller-coaster of a ride to be on. I mean, after all, a Fish fan has to put up with the uncertainty of how next year's roster will look like offseason after offseason. Luckily, for us fans who are luckier than Cubs fans, but aren't as lucky as Red Sox (for the last five years) and Yankees fans got a break to start 2010.

Major League Baseball confonted the Marlins management (i.e. Jeffrey Loria and David Samson) about their "frugality" in player salaries. While the Marlins deny any wrong doing, financially, they quickly signed Josh Johnson to a long term deal and declared that the majority of the 87-win team from last year will remain intact, which will raise player payroll to $45 million. So, fish fans started going crazy, excited about next season. Even David Samson believes that the Marlins will bring a World Series championship to South Florida this year.

Knowing this, I feel like I'm the only Fish fan who remains skeptical. People tend to think that raising player payroll itself so that you can bring back the entire team helps win a championship.

I am on the minority that hoped Dan Uggla would be traded. Don't get me wrong, Uggla is a great player. However, when you are working with a limited budget, you have to think about where the team's weaknesses lie. Offense is not one of them, and while losing Uggla would lower the team's power numbers, I feel Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu, and Cody Ross could supply the lineup with enough power. Dumping Uggla's salary could help the team fill some gaps in the opening day roster.

For instance, I am not comfortable with the rotation after Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. I think the Marlins could try to ink (or trade Uggla for) a number 3 starter to plug in between the two beasts at the top and a combination of Anibal Sanchez/Chris Volstad/Rick VandenHurk/Ryan Tucker/Burke Badenhop filling out the last two rotation spots. Another area that worries me? The bullpen. Kiko Calero and Brendan Donnelly are gone. So the bullpen will have to be carried by Leo Nunez, Renyel Pinto, Dan Meyer, and Brian Sanches (who I actually do believe to be an asset along with Meyer). I think adding a proven, veteran arm into this mix would help these pitchers continue to grow, and help give Nunez some competition for the closer's spot.

Lastly, this team is missing one piece of the offense. I don't know which position will be filled, but I think a left-handed bat who can hit at least .270/15/75 would suffice. Right now the opening day roster looks like this:

SP - Johnson
C - John Baker/ Ronnie Paulino
1B - Cantu/Free Agent/Minor Leaguer
2B - Uggla
3B - Cantu/Bonifacio/Free Agent/Minor Leaguer
SS - Ramirez
LF - Chris Coughlan
CF - Cameron Maybin
RF - Ross

So, dumping Uggla's salary could help net the Marlins a veteran, solid hitter and fielder to play either first base, second base, third base, or one of the two corner outfield spots (and moving Coughlan to his first position at second base).

But, I do trust Larry Beinfest to make the best with the payroll he is given. There are still two full months before Spring Training ends. However, as of right now, I'd rather keep my expectations low and not be blinded by the increase in payroll. That way, I won't become too disappointed if or when the Marlins do not make it to the postseason. They do have to get past Roy Halladay and the Phillies, after all. So, at the very best, maybe the Marlins can compete for a wild-card.

But like I said, I think skepticism tends to work towards my favor when it comes to the Fish.