How Do We Feel About the Marlins?

The Marlins earned their ninth losing season in a row on Aug. 31 after losing to the Blue Jays 6-5. The Blue Jays defeated the Marlins with 27 games left to go in the season.

It’s been another disappointing season for Marlins fans, but this one brought some serious heartache before they even took the field. After finishing the 2017 season with a record of 77-85, former owner Jeffrey Loria sold the team for $1.2 billion, after 16 years of ownership, to a group including businessman Bruce Sherman and former Yankees star Derek Jeter. Loria will likely be remembered for the controversial construction of Marlins Stadium on taxpayer funds. To this day, Miami-Dade attorneys are still in a battle with Loria over his profit from the stadium after he sold the team, as the stadium was included in his sale of the team despite Loria not paying for it.

According to Loria’s dismal 6 percent approval rating, fans seemed excited for him to leave and let Sherman and Jeter take over. NBA Hall of Fame member, Michael Jordan, also joined the group of owners, though he owns a smaller share.

However, the Marlins disappointed many fans as they traded the stars of the team one by one. The 2015 batting champion Dee Gordon got traded to the Mariners for three minor league players. Reigning MVP, Giancarlo Stanton, was sent to the Yankees for second baseman, Starlin Castro. Marcell Ozuna–2017 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner– was shipped to the Cardinals for another two minor league players. The last major trade of the offseason occurred when 2018 All-Star, Christian Yelich, was traded to the Mariners for outfielder Lewis Brinson and three minor league players.

Many were questioning the returns for arguably the best players on the roster, including fan favorites like Stanton. “[Giancarlo] Stanton is my favorite player in the world,” senior Osman Martinez said.

Although the Marlins haven’t made the Major League Baseball playoffs since 2003, this season has shown a particularly low point. Some unfortunate moments include when the Marlins gave up a whopping 20 runs to the Phillies, and lost a game to the Nationals 18-4.

The Marlins suffered another embarrassing loss when starting pitcher José Ureña intentionally hit Braves rookie, Ronald Acuña Jr., with the first pitch of the game. Due to Ureña’s actions, he was handed a six-game suspension and was the subject of national scrutiny. Fans mocked him for believing that injuring Acuña was the only way the Marlins could stop him.

Despite the negativity surrounding the Marlins’ season, not all fans have given up on the team.

“I support Miami teams, no matter what,” freshman Rebecca Peterson said.

The past few years have been a roller coaster of emotions for Marlins fans. Maybe one day, in the far-off future, the Marlins’ strategy will pay off. Maybe all of the new minor leaguers will become top tier players and the Marlins will finally earn their place in the playoffs.

Unless we trade them away too.