Signing the Mesa brothers should help the Marlins attract more fans from the Little Havana areaGETTY IMAGES
The Marlins' signing of "two highly touted Cuban prospects," 22-year-old Victor Victor Mesa and 17-year-old Victor Mesa Jr., marked the "first major signing splash under the new regime" headlined by Owner Bruce Sherman and CEO Derek Jeter, according to Clark Spencer of the MIAMI HERALD. Jeter: "Historically, this organization hasn’t really invested in the international market. But that’s something we wanted to do moving forward. We want Miami to be the destination for top international talent.” Spencer notes the signings fit "not only with the Marlins’ rebuilding efforts to strengthen their system with foreign players, but also with their marketing strategy to appeal to the local Hispanic community." The Marlins "ranked last in the majors in attendance last season and are hoping to attract new fans from communities surrounding the team’s Little Havana ballpark." Marlins President of Business Operations Chip Bowers said that it is "uncertain how and when the Marlins will market the Mesa brothers." Bowers: "The goal for us is to make sure these guys get ingrained in our culture, and they feel welcome" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/23). While Jeter acknowledged the brothers' Cuban heritage "makes the business idea [a] lot easier," the bottom line is the club feels as if it gained "two of the top players in the market" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 10/23).
STILL WILL COME DOWN TO PLAY: In Miami, Greg Cote writes signing the brothers was the "culmination of a well-executed plan," but that is "not the same as successful." Cote: "Let’s see what becomes of the Mesa boys." While it is "nice the Mesas are Cuban," it is "more important that they’re good." Jeter: "You can’t market them unless they play well" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/23).
