The Marlins, who have been "long scorned as tightwads," have a new spending approach that is "designed to produce more wins and end a playoff famine," according to Clark Spencer of the MIAMI HERALD. Marlins President David Samson said, "Grumpiness manifests itself in two negative ways: in losing games and in losing fans.” The team is "doing away with cramped, commercial charters and rolling out a custom-designed 767" bearing the Marlins logo. Behind the scenes, they have "beefed up their scouting and player development department with 10 new hires." Samson said that they have also "expanded their marketing and sales teams." Spencer notes with further financial commitments, including RF Giancarlo Stanton's record $325M contract and a '15 payroll that "figures to eclipse" $70M, "heads are turning." Samson would not give "precise amounts on what all of it is costing the team," but provided "ballpark figures" instead. Samson: "It’s all part of some of the changes we’re making as we’re now entering this great period of stability and sustainability." He added that the franchise is "anticipating growth from 'three buckets of revenue' -- in-stadium revenue (which is a combination of sponsorship and ticket sales), local broadcast revenue and national revenue sharing, of which the Marlins receive an equal share of the pie along with all other" MLB teams. Their local TV contract with FS Florida "is expected to expire" in '20. The team has been "unable to sell naming rights to its new ballpark," but Samson "predicted that will change by the time the All-Star Game is played there" in '17. Samson: "I would be surprised if the All-Star Game were played in 'Marlins Park'" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/6).
