RealGM

I support it when other teams than BOS NY and PHI spend big bucks

and I like the excitement they have created

however, I think they went after the wrong players

bell and bhuerle are in their mid 30s, how much longer can they last?
reyes has injury history, good luck with those hammys

and they focused too much on pujols, who wasnt gonna leave STL that easily, and go to a team that has a history of winning and then cleaning house...I think they shouldve set their sights on fielder, who just wants money, and they could have captured him.

thoughts?

Heath Bell will get traded before his contract runs out. They are doing this because they are projecting the revenue that will come in with the new stadium, so basically they are banking on 2.5 to 3 million fans showing up this season. If that doesn't happen they're screwed.

But you're right, it is exciting.

Definitely exciting to be a Marlins fan right now. That Buerhle contract was a little high but hey they needed another reliable pitcher (especially a lefty) in that rotation so might be worth it. Reyes obviously is one of the most dynamic talents in baseball but that hamstring is a bit scary because so much of what makes Reyes so great is centered around his speed and explosiveness. If everything goes right things could be great. But the Marlins are taking some risks too but, hey, if you have the money then you have the money (Yankee, Sox, Phillies fans know it).

I'm really going to miss buehrle, but he went to my second favorite team so it works out.

Marlins are really going for it all this year, very exciting.

This is exactly the same type of thing the Marlins did before both of their World Series runs in 97 and 03, except this time they're spending money on names instead of signing veterans for small deals.

Do I think this will produce another ring for the Marlins? No, absolutely not, but they will contend in a division that is scary deep right now. I still think the Phillies and Braves are better teams at this point, but the Marlins have the capability of making the same run that they did back in 03.

I really think all of these moves will be dependent on how the team meshes with Ozzie Guillen. Bringing in Buerhle could do wonders in accelerating team chemistry, but we all know how big of a wild card Ozzie can be.

"heres some blank checks, would you be our friends?"

It's scary to have Hanley and Reyes as the cornerstones of your franchise, but maybe they'll bring out the best in each other. It's going to be a fun division race next season.

They needed to do something, if they went into this next year fielding the same team they had last year, going into their new ballpark, Miami wouldn't be too happy.