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Mike Phillips has been writing for The Herald for more than 15 years, covering everything from the Florida Marlins, the Super Bowl, the Florida Gators to the NCAA men's basketball Final Four.
Submitted by paul from miami beach
Q: hello mike, the judge in the braman lawsuit will hear the case may 28 and 29, so far we've heard of braman's complaints but i haven't heard of any strategy coming fron the county or city to combat this. i wan't the stadium to happen. do you think the judge can actually derail the whole stadium deal and we end up with squat?
Answered 03/03/08 06:06:11 by Mike Phillips
A: I'm not an attorney, but the feeling from the Marlins is they are pretty confident the deal will not be derailed. I would be shocked if the deal is totally derailed. Postponed, maybe, but not derailed.Submitted by KOB from Yonkers, NY
Q: Do you think Maybin will be the opening Day CF for the Marlins? I think 2 or 3 months down in AAA would prove to be more beneficial for him in the long-term. Ross is capable of holding the fort for a bit.But, that is just my humble opinion!
Answered 03/03/08 06:03:42 by Mike Phillips
A: There are two thoughts on this: The first says you take Maybin and send him to Triple A for more seasoning. The Marlins are leaning toward that scenario. There's a second thought about prospects that says there's only one way to learn to hit big league pitching, and that's in the big leagues. Maybin has some problems at the plate. Simply put, he strikes out too much and lacks discipline. Personally, I don't see any reason to send Maybin to Triple A, because if he dominates in Triple A it proves nothing, and if he struggles in Triple A it proves even less. If the Marlins were a contender then maybe you send Maybin to Triple A, but this team is not expected to compete, which means this is the perfect opportunity to play young players and give them a chance to grow. Whenever Maybin reaches the big leagues, he will have to adjust to big league pitching. It is night and day from Triple A, where a guy like Rick VandenHurk dominates. I like Cody Ross, but I would rather see Maybin in the opening day lineup. Let him struggle now instead of letting him struggle two months from now after two months in Triple A. That's just my humble opinion, and I think the Marlins are going to send him to Triple A to start the season.Submitted by Frankie from Miami, Fl
Q: Do you give any credence to the argument that moving the Marlins so far South from the county line to Little Havana will lower attendance due to the loss of fans from Broward and Palm Beach? The way I see it, it's not like those Palm Beachers and Browardites were coming out in droves! We've heard a lot of negatives about the OB site, what do you think are some of the advantages of that site vs. Dolphins' Stadium?
Answered 02/25/08 16:07:02 by Mike Phillips
A: I think the Marlins will lose fans from North Broward and Palm Beach, the same way the Panthers, who play in a gorgeous building, lost fans from Kendall when they moved to Sunrise. Personally, I have never liked the OB site. I always felt a ball park on the water was the perfect place for the Marlins. The Marlins are counting on Dade County to support the team, and if that happens then the OB site will work -- if not it's doomed for failure. It's almost that simple. There will always be fans from Broward and Palm Beach, but that's a long drive for a weekday game. The Marlins won't have any problems on weekends, but if they want to get big crowds during the week, they will have to win -- and that means spending money and keeping the stars in Florida.Submitted by Julio Díaz from Miami. Fl
Q: Looks that some spots like third base and outfield is crowded. Do you forsee any trades to acquire any veteran pitcher involving any of the players who will not eventually make the team on opening day?
Answered 02/25/08 16:00:19 by Mike Phillips
A: Third base is crowded, but there's a chance the Marlins could keep two or even all three third base candidates. The outfield is not that crowded. There's always a chance of a trade, but you're not going to get much of a starting pitcher at this point, and the Marlins would rather see what Nolasco and VandenHurk have before they even think about a trade.Submitted by Paolo Torres from miami,florida
Q: how does Brahman Honda Stadium sound to you? It seesm to me what this guy really wants is naming rights or some part in this situation.
Answered 02/25/08 15:56:11 by Mike Phillips
A: That's pretty funny.Submitted by Eddie from Highland Beach, Fla
Q: The year 2006 was a dream for discovering rookie pitchers that performed beautifully. I think last years starters have a lot to prove. Scot Olsen has potential, however he had the worst ERA in the league of starting pitchers. Van deHurk was very inconsistent. Hendricksen was a reject from the starting pitching staff I believe from Los Angeles.( Could be another Brian Moehler) experience with a bad ratio of hits per inning. Mitre had a great 1st half . Don't you think if he could be dominant in the spring , he could be the opening starter. If Dave Miller could show his potential , he could be in the starting rotation. My question is Don't you think it's possible that 2 or 3 rookie pitchers could be terrific in the spring and could make the starting rotation? Why is nothing mentioned about the 3 other pitchers in the Cabrera-Willis trade as potential starters?
Answered 02/25/08 15:55:31 by Mike Phillips
A: Maybe one rookie pitcher could get the fifth spot, but the Marlins are counting on Olsen, Mitre, Miller and Hendrickson to take the first four spots in the rotation. Mitre has a chance to be the openings day starter, but he will have to perform better than Olsen, who is the favorite to get the opening day nod. The fifth spot is probably going to come down to VandenHurk or Nolasco, but if someone steps up they might get the spot. Two of the three pitchers in the Cabrera-Willis deal are not even in camp, and Eulogio de La Cruz is a reliever.Submitted by Jeff from Concord, CA
Q: Who is going to be the Marlins catchers this year? Does John Baker have a shot at being with the Marlins on opening day?
Answered 02/22/08 23:23:30 by Mike Phillips
A: Fredi likes to carry two catchers: Rabelo and Treanor will be there opening day.Submitted by Eddie from Highland Beach, Fla
Q: What do the Marlins see in Andy Fox. No one expects the Marlins to perform like they did under Perry Hill, but last year was a fielding disaster.Why didn't the Marlins take it seriously enough to replace the fielding coach?
Answered 02/22/08 23:22:45 by Mike Phillips
A: The Marlins, even with Perry Hill, who is the best infield coach in baseball, were 28th in fielding. They were 30th last year. Fox has to be a better coach. Gonzalez has to demand more from his players, and the Marlins have to grow up and stop making all the silly errors (i.e. making three bad throws on one play). Cabrera is gone so there's an immediate upgrade at third base in fielding, and Olivo, who had more errors and passed balls than any catcher in the game, is also gone. The pitchers have to field the ball better and throw better to the bases (it's all simple stuff). Beinfest says he is embarrassed by the fielding. Everyone who watches this team is. I don't believe it's all Fox, but whoever is to blame (and the blame goes around) things have to change.Submitted by Marcos Rodriguez from Indian Trail, NC
Q: Mike, lets be optimistic and say that the Marlins get the stadium deal done this year and everything is set for the opening of the 2011 season in a new park. When do you think that the Marlins will start spending some money on free agents or make trades for veterans with a high salary? Not advocating either but will like to know how much time Loria should be given to see if he is finally willing to put a competitive product out on the field if the excuse of not having a stadium is not there for him any more.
Answered 02/22/08 23:16:21 by Mike Phillips
A: My guess is they will take their time before we see them start spending money on free agents. The Marlins have a long list of arbitration eligible players at the end of this season -- just about the entire team that showed up in 2006 is ready for payday. So they are going to have to spend some money just to keep these guys, who have been dirt cheap the first three seasons. Hanley, Uggla, Jacobs, Willingham, Olsen -- you name it, are all going to be arbitration elgible and will get big raises, especially Hanley.Submitted by Paolo Torres from miami,florida
Q: With the stadium deal just some votes away, it seems that your favorite phrase on this situation which is "shoving a shovel on the ground to start building this thing" will I come true... that said, I know I am getting ahead of myself bu the excitement is killing me... I want to know if you know of any possible names for the stadium. Will it be called Marlins Stadium since it will be long to the city and county, or what?
Answered 02/22/08 23:12:40 by Mike Phillips
A: I'm sure they will sell the naming rights. So we will end up with a corporate named splashed across what everyone will think of as Marlins Stadium.Submitted by Paolo Torres from miami,florida
Q: Mike, Were you at FanFest this year? Since I have volunteered for the Community Foundation the last two seasons I have not been able too, but this year I did along with a group friends alongside two of which are in a wheelchair like myself... And let me just say I am thankful of the great gesture they showed us and all other disabled people in giving us priority during the signing sessions... Was a nice feeling having all the players there and wanting to sign for us. What do you think about the turnout of the players and fans during FanFest? Do you believe attendance wise the same will be throughout the season as it was during FanFest? Why or Why not?
Answered 02/13/08 17:13:53 by Mike Phillips
A: Glad to hear you had such a great time at FanFest and the Marlins gave the disabled priority and treated you and others well. There were actually more fnas at this year's FanFest than a year ago, which may say that the Cabrera-Willis trade didn't hurt fan interest in the team. Hopefully, the Marlins will get off to a good start (it won't be easy facing Santana on Opening Day) and fans will support them this season. Trying to analyze fan interest in the Marlins is impossible, because South Florida has treated this franchise so poorly. There has never been a franchise in any sport that has had so much success (two world titles in its first 11 seasons) and has been ignored by the local community the way the South Florida has ignored the Marlins. This could be a monumental season for the Marlins because there could actually be an announcement on a new ball park this year. I would like to see some fans show up at Dolphin Stadium.Submitted by Mike from Miami, FL
Q: What do you think of the Marlins bringing in Mike Piazza? He might not have the arm to play catcher anymore, but he wasn't really bad defensively (he's a gold glover compared to Olivo). He's known to be good at calling a game, which could definitely help our pitchers. A Piazza/Treanor platoon makes sense to me, I'm not high on Rabelo. He could also get some AB's at 1B against lefties if Jacobs struggles against them or inevitably gets hurt.
Answered 02/12/08 20:51:57 by Mike Phillips
A: Piazza's future is at first base or at DH. I'm not sure Piazza wants to play for a team that can't contend. At this stage in his career, he will be looking for a decent team. I like Piazza a lot and I think he can help the right team, but I'm not sure the Marlins are a good fit for him.Submitted by Matt J. from Boynton Bch.
Q: I hope that you are right about Gonzalez-- that he becomes the veteran leader the Marlins are hoping for. I just think that it was a risky signing. And of course Gonzalez denied steroid allegations; most of them do. That doesn't mean they're innocent. An obvious example of this is in Rafael Palmero. Anyways, what I wanted to ask was this: do the Marlins have control over Dallas McPherson for more than one year, even though he signed a one- year deal? Are his arbitration years automatically voided because the Angels non- tendered him?
Answered 02/12/08 20:47:35 by Mike Phillips
A: It's a one-year deal for $475,000 (a bargain if he's healthy), so they would have to resign him, but they could tender him a contract before the December non-tender date and keep him. I am not sure when he is eligible for arbitration because even though he has been in the big leagues for three seasons he didn't play in many games because of injuries. If the Marlins don't resign him, he becomes a free agent again. As far as Gonzalez, I also hope I'm right, but a lot depends on how the Marlins respond to having a guy like Gonzalez in the clubhouse. It might be considered a risky signing, but it's not a bad gamble. If it doesn't work out, it's a $2 million mistake, which is still pretty cheap, and if it turns out to be a horrible decision then maybe the Marlins could unload him at the trading deadline. I have to believe that Gonzalez is going to be a big plus for this team. The attitude has to improve if they are going to be competitive. The problem with this group of players is they all came in together in 2006.Submitted by Brent Baragar from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Q: Mike, I've been checking the news on a daily basis to see when the Florida Marlins, MLB, and the city of Miami come upon an agreement for a new baseball stadium, probably at the Orange Bowl location. This is like watching paint dry. Any idea how long this is going to drag on? Really, what are the chances of a new stadium being built in Miami? And lastly, do you think the city of Miami will support a Marlins team better than they ever have before? Thanks!!!
Answered 02/12/08 19:43:28 by Mike Phillips
A: This paint is the long-drying kind. I wish I could give you a target date, but there are a lot of issues that have to be resolved because the Marlins ball park deal is part of a $3 billion megaplan that has been questioned legally because there was never a public vote and because public money that was destined to revitalized some urban areas is being used for a ball park, a tunnel etc. etc. Still, I think it will get done this spring (it's a newfound optimism for me). I've never liked the Orange Bowl site, and I wonder if fans from Palm Beach and North Broward will make the trip, which means the city of Miami will have to show more support for baseball. It upsets me when I hear the Marlins say they will not increase their payroll until the stadium is built. As a show of good faith I think the Marlins should start increasing the payroll now to bring back fans they have lost and to start to build a competive team before they move into a new ball park. What will it feel like to get a ball park deal done this season with a cheap last-place team on the field? How about spending some money on players while you ask for millions of public dollars to be spent for a ball park?Submitted by Anonymous from Miami, FL
Q: Wouldn't it be a good idea for the Marlins to sign Livan Hernandez?
Answered 02/12/08 19:33:06 by Mike Phillips
A: I think so, but it's not my money. Livan would be a big plus to this team. He can give them innings and he can still win games. He doesn't throw hard any more, but he is a much smarter pitcher who wins with finess. I'm not going to say that he would bring fans to the ball park, because South Florida fans are so unpredictable. I don't understand why the Marlins don't draw more fans now.
