What Can The Miami Marlins Do About This?
The big question now is how the current ownership navigates the Miami Marlins through this latest salvo of bad press. They’re already at rock bottom; give this most recent ESPN piece a look for proof. No matter what they do, they are the official punchline of the 2018 MLB season. Nothing short of a 2006 Marlins style campaign will prevent that. But the stated mission is a complete rebuild, a rebranding. Building sustained success from the ground up.
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So, this is precisely why the Derek Jeter led Miami Marlins should get out ahead of this.
Just because they’re named in the suit doesn’t mean they need to stand with Loria. The ideal scenario would be either renegotiating the existing arrangement or cutting a massive check. Like today, for half of what Miami-Dade and the City of Miami are suing for. Just picture that. Jeter and Bruce Sherman calling a press conference, calling Loria a crook, and handing Mayor Carlos Jimenez $25 million while voicing their hope that Loria does the same. Can you say mic drop?
Granted that’s ridiculously optimistic and naive. More practically though, how about some serious charitable donations to the local community. We’re talking millions. Promote youth baseball. Build parks. Multiple days of free admission to students during summer vacation. Anything and everything to keep the rot of Loria from poisoning this new relationship — because that’s critical if this “Project Wolverine” rebuild is going to succeed.
Next: Meanwhile, The Dream Small-Budget Team...
Twenty-nine teams in baseball are skating by on the magic and hope of spring training. Baseball’s thirtieth team doesn’t have that luxury and therefore can’t afford to see this public relations barrage last any longer. However, unlike most of the games on their schedule, this is a victory the Miami Marlins can easily pull off.
It’s just going to cost them.