Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 2, 2008 19:32:29 GMT -5
JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria made his first appearance at spring training on Saturday, professing a brighter future with a new ballpark and an increased payroll.
Loria showed up for the Marlins' game against the Cardinals two weeks after the team reached a new deal for a 37,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium that will be built where the Orange Bowl currently sits in downtown Miami.
"I couldn't be happier," Loria said. "I look upon it as something that makes everything more permanent for everybody."
A new stadium means the notoriously frugal Marlins plan to increase their payroll, but not until the team moves into the new park.
The Marlins' payroll for 2008 is projected to be around US$20 million, the lowest in the league and $10 million lower than last season.
"It's a function of revenues, and we were not really able to derive any revenues out of this facility," Loria said of the team's current home, Dolphin Stadium. "As we get closer to the (new) stadium, those things will change. We need to be in that facility."
Loria appears anxious for that time to come.
"I'd love to have it tomorrow," he said of the groundbreaking, expected for November. "I brought my shovel in the back of the car."
The stadium deal was finalized months after the Marlins traded Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, the final two remaining members of their 2003 World Series winning team, to Detroit for six players, including left-hander Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.
"We're right now trying to put together a great young team that can move into this new facility," Loria said. "There're a lot of players here that need to be evaluated, and hopefully will be part of the future for this franchise, this year, next year and in the new stadium."
The Marlins will change their name to the Miami Marlins when they move into the stadium and the park will include themes unique to the city.
.Loria said an all-star Game could be in its future.
"I've been waiting a long time to do this and it will be special," Loria said. "It's a great market. I think now the fans will have an opportunity to connect. There's such a young fan base here and an existing fan base, it's our job to go and get them."
Loria showed up for the Marlins' game against the Cardinals two weeks after the team reached a new deal for a 37,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium that will be built where the Orange Bowl currently sits in downtown Miami.
"I couldn't be happier," Loria said. "I look upon it as something that makes everything more permanent for everybody."
A new stadium means the notoriously frugal Marlins plan to increase their payroll, but not until the team moves into the new park.
The Marlins' payroll for 2008 is projected to be around US$20 million, the lowest in the league and $10 million lower than last season.
"It's a function of revenues, and we were not really able to derive any revenues out of this facility," Loria said of the team's current home, Dolphin Stadium. "As we get closer to the (new) stadium, those things will change. We need to be in that facility."
Loria appears anxious for that time to come.
"I'd love to have it tomorrow," he said of the groundbreaking, expected for November. "I brought my shovel in the back of the car."
The stadium deal was finalized months after the Marlins traded Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, the final two remaining members of their 2003 World Series winning team, to Detroit for six players, including left-hander Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.
"We're right now trying to put together a great young team that can move into this new facility," Loria said. "There're a lot of players here that need to be evaluated, and hopefully will be part of the future for this franchise, this year, next year and in the new stadium."
The Marlins will change their name to the Miami Marlins when they move into the stadium and the park will include themes unique to the city.
.Loria said an all-star Game could be in its future.
"I've been waiting a long time to do this and it will be special," Loria said. "It's a great market. I think now the fans will have an opportunity to connect. There's such a young fan base here and an existing fan base, it's our job to go and get them."
