The "mega deal" that will make Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton the highest-paid player in American sports has sent "shockwaves throughout the sports world, considering the team’s history of shedding payroll and given the limitations of revenue and lagging attendance," according to Craig Davis of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. But the Marlins "locking up their biggest attraction would send a resounding message to a fan base that was angered by past salary dumps." The club's payroll of about $47.6M in '14 ranked 29th of 30 teams and Stanton was among those who "voiced disgust" with the club for cutting payroll nearly in half following the inaugural season at Marlins Park in '12. It was "generally believed he would leave Miami" when eligible for free agency after the '16 season. The "central question" now is "whether the Marlins can afford to surround him with the players needed to pursue a championship." They still "have not signed a naming rights deal" for the ballpark, and their RSN contract is "among the lower third" in MLB. But the new national TV deal that took effect in '14 "would potentially bring an additional" $25M of revenue to each team, and "may be the impetus behind the blockbuster contract for Stanton" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 11/18). CBSSPORTS.com's Jon Heyman cited sources as saying the parties "have a deal in place for a record" $325M over 13 years. That "landmark contract keeps the beloved Stanton in Miami at least through his 20s and maybe until he's 38, and brings credibility to a franchise that's seemed cash-strapped and beleaguered at times but appears to be on the upswing now." Sources said that Stanton, 25, will "receive a crucial early opt-out clause in addition to a full no-trade provision." Stanton is said to "love Miami (he lives downtown, not too far from Marlins Park), but most important, he started to like what was going on with the team." He also has "great respect" for manager Mike Redmond and GM Dan Jennings (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/17).
FACE OF THE FRANCHISE: Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria yesterday said it was a "landmark day." Loria: "It means everything to the franchise. We have a face of the franchise for the next 13 years. I expect him to be a Marlin for 13 years. We are going to be surrounding him, we have already started to surround him, with All-Star-caliber players, and there will be more" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/18). MLB.com's Joe Frisaro noted the "monster pact more than triples the Marlins' previously biggest contract" -- six years, $106M for SS Jose Reyes in '12. Stanton "has a chance to become the face of Miami sports" now that former Heat F LeBron James is back in Cleveland. Stanton is an "immediate marketing attraction in hopes of luring in more fan and corporate support." Increased interest could "possibly lead to a revised local television deal, which right now expires" with FS Florida in '20. (MLB.com, 11/17). The San Jose Mercury News’ Tim Kawakami said “new money, TV money” is “changing the dynamics for everybody. These contracts are going to continue to be huge.” Kawakami: “Every new contract looks crazy but this is the A-Rod deal of this generation” (“Yahoo Sports Talk Live,” CSN Bay Area, 11/17). But Short Hills Capital Partners Founder & Managing Partner Steve Weiss said, “You could have bought the Dodgers for a seven multiple of what you paid for this guy’s contract. I’d rather own a team and the TV rights than one player” (“Fast Money Halftime Report,” CNBC, 11/17).
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes Stanton will "prove to be worth every penny considering today's landscape." There is so much money in the game that the nearly $9B in revenue has "got to go somewhere." Nightengale: "The last we checked, there were more fans cheering Stanton in the batter's box than seeing Loria in the owner's box" (USA TODAY, 11/18). In West Palm Beach, Greg Stoda writes if things go the way the Marlins think they will go, then paying Stanton $25M per season for the next 13 years "could be a masterstroke." Stoda: "It’s a risk, but not necessarily as mind-boggling a one as the numbers suggest, and the Marlins had to take it anyway." The alternative would have been to "further damage the franchise’s viability." The "greater gamble would have been letting Stanton leave via free agency." The Marlins have "done right by Stanton, and improved their image in the process" (PALM BEACH POST, 11/18). In N.Y., Joel Sherman writes under the header, "Don't Scoff At Giancarlo Stanton's $325M -- It Makes Sense." In a $9B industry, the "special performers get paid." Stanton is "probably worth" $35M a season right now and "likely will be for the next five years." Stretching the contract over this length of time "allows the Marlins to pay less per year" (N.Y. POST, 11/18).
RISK VS. REWARD: YAHOO SPORTS' Tim Brown wrote the "risk Stanton takes is the Marlins still do not draw at Marlins Park, still do not win because Stanton’s contract makes it difficult to afford other free agents, Loria reconsiders the huge financial outlay that does not produce immediate results, and Stanton finds himself in a career-long slog to irrelevance." That, "presumably, is what the opt-out clause is for" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/17). CBSSPORTS.com's Dayn Perry wrote at first blush, this would "seem to be a troublesome wrinkle from the Marlins' standpoint." However, if Stanton "winds up opting out, it won't be bad news for the Marlins -- at all." This will mean that Stanton will have "provided tremendous value over the first five years of the deal, otherwise he'd never dare test the market." But to be sure, the Marlins "must take advantage of those five years by surrounding Stanton with contending-caliber talents." (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/17). GRANTLAND's Ben Lindbergh wrote the terms of the contract are "eye-catching," but it is the "involvement of the sport’s most penurious, transparently profit-seeking team that truly turns heads." The Marlins are six years removed from "spending the same amount on their entire roster," and "two years removed from a Players Association source essentially saying 'We’re watching you'" after Loria’s most recent payroll purge. Whatever Stanton "accomplishes over the life of this contract, breaking the Marlins’ no-trade blockade will rank among his most impressive achievements." While Stanton has a "decent chance of joining" former MLBer Luis Castillo in the "ultra-exclusive Marlins 10-year club, the odds that he’ll still be wearing a Marlins uniform in September 2027 aren’t high" (GRANTLAND.com, 11/17).
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Despite skepticism from critics, Loria said he to plans
to add All-Star caliber talent to compliment Stanton. |
RESTORING CREDIBILITY: In Miami, Greg Cote notes "cynicism and skepticism are built in" with regard to the Marlins and Loria. It has "become part of the South Florida fan DNA to not quite trust the ballclub’s unpopular owner, to a degree even the record-setting contract extension" is "looked at warily by some." Cote: "I’m not declaring it’s time to forgive and go all-in believing because that will be an ongoing process. Trust is earned over time." It may at least, and at last, be time to "reconsider Loria, though." Now, with the Stanton deal, the owner that South Florida is "loath to like has not only done what nobody thought he could -- he also made smart comprises to get it done, things that could work to the Marlins’ benefit." The bottom line is that Stanton is the "most exciting, best young pure home-run hitter" in MLB, and before this deal the Marlins were "only assured of having him two more seasons, and possibly less" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/18). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde writes fans "can appreciate" that Loria, "known for hoarding money, turned over the piggy bank and kept a rare talent and rising face of baseball like Stanton." Hyde: "Let's see if this newest business model of the Marlins -- their third in four years -- can support this historic contract and a winning roster in the coming years, too. That's the big question, isn't it?" What the Marlins "need is a sustainable business model to build around." Loria is "front and center in talking about the deal," and there is "no problem with that." It is his team and his money, but fans would "feel a little better to know this wasn't him going rogue on his baseball people again" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 11/18). The N.Y. Daily News’ John Harper said the deal is “about establishing credibility because the fans down there don’t trust that ownership to do anything right” and it is an “important step that a franchise like that needs to take” (“Daily News Live,” SNY, 11/17). MLB Network’s Ken Rosenthal said, "You’ve got to get credibility back. This is the only way to do it. The only way to get Stanton done was to completely cave" (“MLB Now,” MLB Network, 11/17).
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT? YAHOO SPORTS' Mike Oz wrote, "We're not here to bring up the ol' laundry list of reasons you shouldn't trust Loria, we've all been there and done that, but it's only fair to put his rah-rah talk in the proper context, given his track record." Maybe Loria and the Marlins have "learned from their past." Maybe they believe Stanton is the "one to build around and they're going to do it right this time." Or maybe it is all "lip service" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/17). MLB.com's Phil Rogers wrote all Stanton "had to do was to tell Loria: Thanks but no thanks, I want to be traded to a contender." This is a "stunner given the wild history of the Marlins' franchise." No matter the financial details, it is a "little bit surprising that Stanton has committed his future to the franchise." Rogers: "But you've got to feel good for the Marlins' fans that this deal is being done" (MLB.com, 11/17). MLB.com's Richard Justice noted the Marlins "got 15 games better last season, but that's just a number." The Marlins "did things numbers can't begin to measure," they "changed the way an entire industry views them." That is a "tribute" to Loria, who "made one of the best hires of his ownership" with Jennings. Justice: "Setting economics aside -- and that's difficult to do -- this contract with Stanton removes some uncertainty around this offseason." Marlins fans can "look to a season in which one of baseball's best players -- and best ambassadors -- is part of the community and the team" (MLB.com, 11/17).
NOT ALL SUNSHINE: ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick wrote Stanton's contract is "terrific news for him, his accountant, agent Joel Wolfe, the capitalist system," late MLBPA Exec Dir Marvin Miller's "legacy and baseball fans in small markets who refuse to accept the premise that their teams are simply feeder systems for the behemoths." Crasnick: "But if you buy the proposition that the Stanton-Marlins marriage signals the beginning of a new era of commitment, vision and building toward something enduring in Miami, we have $409 million in stadium construction bonds to sell you." Stanton's agreement "feels wrong out of the chute, in a way that transcends scouting judgments and knee-jerk arguments about 'greedy' players and clueless owners." The doubt "revolves more around the people writing the checks than the athlete cashing them." Crasnick: "If the rampant mistrust over Loria's pocketing of revenue-sharing money and his other transgressions deprived him of the benefit of the doubt in the past, what precisely has changed now that he's moved on to his next big thing?" (ESPN.com, 11/16). ESPN’s John Kruk said he was “unbelievably surprised” by the terms of the deal. Kruk: “My concern is a couple of years down road when some of their younger players are now arbitration eligible and eventually become free agents, will they be able to re-sign them or is it just going to be a revolving door of young players and older players trying to hang on. Is that where the Marlins are headed? To me it’s the most puzzling signing I’ve ever seen for an organization that doesn't spend money” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 11/18). ESPN’s Buster Olney said the response to the deal around MLB "is predictable. About 98 percent of rival evaluators think the Marlins are nuts" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 11/17). ESPN’s Curt Schilling said, “Obviously, the game is in a good financial place. The bad for me is all from the team side. I mean you’re looking at a team the last 16 years, 14 times they have been last or next to last in attendance. … I can't figure it out. I understand signing a player as good as Giancarlo. I don't understand why you gave him 13 years.” Schilling asked, “Are more people going to come watch the $30 million version of Giancarlo Stanton then came and watched the $580,000 version? I don't think so” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 11/18).
MEDIA MONITOR: Last night’s editions of CBS’ “Evening News” and NBC’s “Today” both aired short reports on Stanton’s contract about 52 minutes into their broadcasts. ABC’s “World News” did not air a report. This morning’s editions of ABC’s “GMA” and “CBS This Morning” aired reports on Stanton, with ABC teasing the report in their opening segment with the headline “$300 Million Man!” NBC's “Today” did not air anything on the Stanton signing through the 9:00am ET hour of their telecast (THE DAILY).
