Can the Miami Marlins spend like a big market team?

Can the Miami Marlins spend like a big-market team? A lot of fans don’t think so. I talked about this issue multiple times now and the answer is that “yes we can”. Let’s look at why it’s a possibility and why the fans should be optimistic about the team going forward.

The Miami Marlins can spend like a big-market team.

Let’s start with looking at our recent past… the Miami Marlins almost set a record for Major League contracts by signing Albert Pujols in 2011. The Fish offered the then annual NL MVP contender and future Hall of Famer $300 million, but he took $254 million from the Los Angeles Angels. WE HAD THE HIGHEST OFFER. Why? The Miami Marlins didn’t offer him a no-trade clause. That’s it. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to play for the team or that we couldn’t afford him, he just wanted that clause.

Are you still not convinced? What about this? Do you remember? The Miami Marlins extended Giancarlo Stanton for 13 years and $325 million in November 2014. Yes he was traded later, but the contract was still offered and signed. When was the last time the Tampa Bay Rays or Oakland Athletics offered a contract such as this one?

You may say that these contracts were all signed during a previous ownership regime, but that doesn’t change that it’s still the same team in the same market. If the Miami Marlins could afford it then, we surely can afford it now. The only thing in the way is if our new ownership won’t spend.

What does Miami Marlins owner Bruce Sherman think about all of this? I mean surely he’s the biggest authority on this subject? Let’s take a look….

Bruce Sherman, Miami Marlins principal owner, sought to convey all-is-well calm as baseball’s lockout-delayed spring training began a couple of weeks ago. CEO and face-of-the-franchise Derek Jeter had just abruptly and unexpected left in a mutual parting, and Sherman said exactly what he knew fans wanted to hear in the midst of free agency:

“We have money, and we will spend it.”

Now the article was critical and said that he didn’t spend enough last off-season, but considering how bad Nick Castellanos has been was he just “cheap” not to sign him?

The Miami Marlins have a $75 million payroll, the luxury tax is $230 million. We have enough room to bring in superstars. Bruce Sherman just needs to stick to his word.