How Manny Machado Can Resurrect the Marlins
You want to save baseball in Miami?
Sign Machado.
Manny Machado, the South Florida native, being a Marlin would seriously save the team and would end most of the negativity surrounding Derek Jeter. Landing the local star player who lit up the World Baseball Classic back in 2017 and was partially responsible for the loudest crowds the stadium has ever experienced would completely turn the tide on a franchise that has seen constant disappointment after constant disappointment. This signing would be the olive branch, the evidence that the Marlins mean business, that they are prepared for the next chapter in their history under the Jeter ownership group.
Manny Machado’s value cannot be underestimated. In terms of career Wins Above Replacement among all active players, Manny Machado ranks 49th with only Mookie Betts ranking above him within the same age group or younger. Machado is hands-down one of the better fielders whether it be shortstop or third base. And guess what, he may not have even peaked yet. He is also of Hispanic descent, which would be great for South Florida’s fanbase and the organization which has dedicated themselves into building a more multi-lingual culture. Half a decade of experience, All-Star, MVP candidate, Gold Glover, and still within the fountain of youth? He is exactly what Miami needs. He is exactly the player that will up the Jeter critics.
This is all wishful thinking, as the Marlins would have to balloon their budget, something I don’t see them doing after slicing one-third of their expenses after grabbing the baton from Jeffrey Loria’s disgusting slimy hands. But with their star catcher on the trading block, their current lineup in rebuilding mode, the minor league system slowly strengthening, and the value of players seeking long-term contracts dipping a bit, why would it be unrealistic to open their pockets a little more to show South Florida they actually mean business? As a matter of fact, rumors had sparked back in 2017 about finding an ownership group willing to chase Machado on the 2018-2019 offseason while seeking the proper suitor to control the Marlins.
Manny Machado dominated third base for the Dominican team in front of a packed (and even, gasp, sold-out) Marlins Park during that excellent opening round of the tournament. Nothing got past him in third base, he was living off the immense (and local) energy. The guy literally grew up half an hour away from the stadium site. Machado’s behavior may have been a bit questionable during the World Series (which is funny considering Bryce Harper had similar issues but those controversies have not been revisited during free agency), but when Machado is invested, there are few game-changers in baseball quite like him.
Just look at the Orioles once he arrived. His first two seasons resulted in back-to-back winning seasons for Baltimore for the first time since their late-90s days. He could hit the longball, he was a fortress at third base, he has speed, athleticism, and the extra Dominican baseball spunk that gives him extra energy as well as create enemies on other teams---especially the Boston Red Sox. Surely injuries would constantly plague him during their better seasons once September rolled around. But Manny, along with Buck Showalter and a superior staff, were not only in playoff territory but were a few wins away from the World Series back in 2014.
Adding Manny Machado adds 5 to 7k extra tickets per home game guaranteed. The late Jose Fernandez increased home attendance by 27% whenever it was his turn to pitch. This level of increase can happen upon landing a big name free agent, especially a Miami native. Adding Machado to a young and culturally diverse lineup adds at least a dozen extra wins, and playing in a division that has become a lot tougher is going to require some competitive experience. Poor Manny had to battle the doldrums of the American League East where the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays are always competitive.
So he’s local flavor, bilingual, experienced, a fortress in the defensive left corner of the infield, a reliable bat, has experienced the playoffs, and to add to that he probably won’t even come close to reaching the $300 million he is seeking. Even if you paid him 25 million a year, adding him would add you at least $25 million in ticket seats alone, not even accounting for potential merchandise and marketing increases. Even if you don't make the playoffs the first couple seasons, his talent combined with the youth and budding Hispanic culture trying to develop within the organization would propel the franchise forward and perhaps into a positive consistency that we haven't seen since....well, never.
So why not take the chance? Why not bring big name Miami flavor into the Miami Marlins?