We've been here before. We watched it play out. The glorious postseason run followed by the cold, calculated dismantling that left a team and a baseball community in ruins.
Remember how thrilling it must have been for South Florida when its ragtag Marlins put together a team of all-stars to win the 1997 World Series? Remember how ugly it was when the team was ripped apart almost immediately to save money? Critics complained about the evils of baseball; how rich teams could buy a championship and poor teams couldn't afford one. The Marlins represented both worlds.
But a funny thing happened on the way to contraction. The Marlins built themselves another winner, this time the old-fashioned way: through the draft, development and a couple of wise free-agent signings. Now South Florida holds its breath to see what happens next. Are the Marlins a dynasty in the making or another one-hit wonder?
For starters, this is not good news. The Marlins are one of only three teams in the past 15 years to start the season with a lower payroll the season after winning a World Series. Gone is the heart and soul of the team, catcher Pudge Rodriguez, who - big surprise, here - left because the Marlins no longer could afford him. Gone is Derrek Lee, another key bat in the lineup and voice in the clubhouse. Gone is the team's closer, Ugueth Urbina. Sounds like 1998, doesn't it?
"I think D-Lee will be the biggest void to fill," reliever Chad Fox said. "He's a Gold Glove first baseman. And Pudge was incredible down the stretch in the time I played with him. Losing him is huge."
But not all was lost to free agency in the winter. The good news, the news that has South Florida believing history (the part about not repeating) will not repeat itself, is the Marlins still have a team that figures to contend for a championship.
Most of the Marlins are back, including a starting rotation that is young and good led by lefty Dontrelle Willis and righty Josh Beckett, last year's World Series MVP. The lineup also includes third baseman Mike Lowell, who signed a four-year contract extension that proves the Marlins aren't preparing for a fire sale. And the first three hitters in the lineup, Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo and Miguel Cabrera, might be the most exciting in baseball.
"I was just hoping we wouldn't lose too much," Lowell said. "You've got to respect if they want to operate under certain parameters. They're going to do what they're going to do."
What the owners want to do is win but not at an outrageous price. That meant, to start with, not bringing back Rodriguez. Fortunately for the Marlins, they have been waiting on Ramon Castro, a former No. 1 pick who showed good power in the spring. Meantime, Hee Seop Choi, acquired from the Cubs, should be able to fill in for Lee.
The Marlins, of course, have to get past the Braves, who have won 12 consecutive division titles but slashed their payroll in the offseason. With the additions of Billy Wagner and Eric Milton, the Phillies might be the team to beat in the National League. And the West is open with the Giants, Dodgers and maybe even the new-look Padres.
But the defending champions plan on doing something they didn't do the last time they won a World Series: repeat.
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.
