In Miami, Greg Cote writes the Marlins have "some star power" with RF Giancarlo Stanton and P Jose Fernandez, as well as new manager Don Mattingly and hitting coach Barry Bonds, and "now they must win ... for a change." It has been 13 years since the club's last postseason appearance and it is "way past time for this franchise to be good again." The Marlins began their 24th season last night, and the "excuses are all gone; the child is full-grown." Cote: "Now it is time this organization ... top to bottom -- started acting like it, proving it" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/6).
A PIRATES' LIFE FOR ME: In Pittsburgh, Rob Rossi writes Pirates Owner Bob Nutting is "making everybody look foolish," as yesterday's starting lineup included four star players who had signed long-term contracts "to stay with the Pirates." Nutting "took control of a ship that had capsized" by January '07, when the Pirates "were pitiful." However, they are "powerful now, more than just on the field." Nutting "will hold clout over many fellow owners during the upcoming labor negotiations with the players' union" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/6).
CORE GROWTH: CSNPHILLY.com's Jim Salisbury noted evidence of the Phillies' rebuild can "be seen in the team's opening day payroll" of about $85M for '16, which has "shrunk significantly from last year's opening day mark of about" $135M. Phillies management "has acknowledged the reduced payroll as a byproduct of the rebuild," as the team's mission now is to "build a core of players capable of contending." Once that core is built, the team expects "to be active on the free agent front." Phillies President Andy MacPhail: "Ownership, as it has demonstrated repeatedly in the past, is committed to improving and building a winner and there’s no reason to believe that will subside" (CSNPHILLY.com, 4/5).
