Post by MiRi on Jul 6, 2007 11:58:42 GMT -5
Marlins still in stadium limbo
By BARRY JACKSON bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
As if the Marlins don't have enough problems during this depressing season, here are two more:
• Just when MLB thought something was close, the stadium deal is again on indefinite hold, exasperating MLB executives determined to keep a team here. Though the Marlins want a downtown site, Miami city manager Pete Hernandez said the city won't deal with the Marlins issue until UM decides whether to move to Dolphin Stadium. (There's no timetable for that.)
• The Marlins are increasingly worried they won't be allowed to remain at Dolphin Stadium much longer, if at all, after their lease ends in December 2010. Marlins president David Samson said in recent months, a Huizenga Holdings official reaffirmed Wayne Huizenga's earlier written notification that the lease would not be renewed. To be ready by 2011, stadium construction must begin by next April, and the deal would need to be consummated immediately.
''Knowing Dolphin Stadium's desire to eliminate the infield dirt for football. . . . I am confident [Huizenga] meant what he said -- that the Marlins lease would not be extended past 2010,'' Samson said.
It's difficult to believe Huizenga would leave the Marlins homeless. So should they be worried if there's no ballpark by 2011? ''I don't know the answer,'' Huizenga said. ``It depends on the number of years. If they're looking for a one-year extension, I'm not saying yes or no. If the University of Miami comes, then it's not just the Dolphins. [UM] would have to play on dirt, too.
'I don't want to do anything to hurt the Dolphins' chances of winning. We miss field goals on dirt. [Still], we're the family that brought the Marlins here, and the last thing we want to do is hurt the team.''
Huizenga said he won't revisit the idea of a ballpark next to Dolphin Stadium.
The Marlins and MLB want a downtown Miami site north of government center (which several county commissioners oppose) but likely would accept the Orange Bowl site as a last resort if UM moves to Dolphin Stadium. The funding gap is at least $30 million and potentially more than twice that, depending on the site. Still, MLB and the Marlins won't speak to out-of-town markets for the foreseeable future.
• Samson said if the Marlins ''are not in the [playoff] race, we will not raise payroll'' this year but might otherwise.
• The road has been rocky not only for the Marlins' young arms, but for some of their top prospects, too. Highly regarded pitching prospect Ryan Tucker is on indefinite suspension for insubordination after walking away when Jupiter pitching coach Reid Cornelius was speaking to him on the mound. Florida's top prospects -- Chris Volstad (Single A Jupiter) and Gaby Hernandez (Double A Carolina) -- have pitched better after slow starts, though Volstad has allowed a lot of baserunners (152 in 99 innings).
By BARRY JACKSON bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
As if the Marlins don't have enough problems during this depressing season, here are two more:
• Just when MLB thought something was close, the stadium deal is again on indefinite hold, exasperating MLB executives determined to keep a team here. Though the Marlins want a downtown site, Miami city manager Pete Hernandez said the city won't deal with the Marlins issue until UM decides whether to move to Dolphin Stadium. (There's no timetable for that.)
• The Marlins are increasingly worried they won't be allowed to remain at Dolphin Stadium much longer, if at all, after their lease ends in December 2010. Marlins president David Samson said in recent months, a Huizenga Holdings official reaffirmed Wayne Huizenga's earlier written notification that the lease would not be renewed. To be ready by 2011, stadium construction must begin by next April, and the deal would need to be consummated immediately.
''Knowing Dolphin Stadium's desire to eliminate the infield dirt for football. . . . I am confident [Huizenga] meant what he said -- that the Marlins lease would not be extended past 2010,'' Samson said.
It's difficult to believe Huizenga would leave the Marlins homeless. So should they be worried if there's no ballpark by 2011? ''I don't know the answer,'' Huizenga said. ``It depends on the number of years. If they're looking for a one-year extension, I'm not saying yes or no. If the University of Miami comes, then it's not just the Dolphins. [UM] would have to play on dirt, too.
'I don't want to do anything to hurt the Dolphins' chances of winning. We miss field goals on dirt. [Still], we're the family that brought the Marlins here, and the last thing we want to do is hurt the team.''
Huizenga said he won't revisit the idea of a ballpark next to Dolphin Stadium.
The Marlins and MLB want a downtown Miami site north of government center (which several county commissioners oppose) but likely would accept the Orange Bowl site as a last resort if UM moves to Dolphin Stadium. The funding gap is at least $30 million and potentially more than twice that, depending on the site. Still, MLB and the Marlins won't speak to out-of-town markets for the foreseeable future.
• Samson said if the Marlins ''are not in the [playoff] race, we will not raise payroll'' this year but might otherwise.
• The road has been rocky not only for the Marlins' young arms, but for some of their top prospects, too. Highly regarded pitching prospect Ryan Tucker is on indefinite suspension for insubordination after walking away when Jupiter pitching coach Reid Cornelius was speaking to him on the mound. Florida's top prospects -- Chris Volstad (Single A Jupiter) and Gaby Hernandez (Double A Carolina) -- have pitched better after slow starts, though Volstad has allowed a lot of baserunners (152 in 99 innings).
Why can't they get off their butts and make a decision already?
