MVN - Most Valuable Network

Hanley Ramirez on the verge of signing six year extension worth $70 million

Three years. That’s how long it has been since the words Florida Marlins and long-term contract have been uttered in the same sentence. That all changed on Friday. On the same night in which the Marlins won the twenty-first of their first thirty-five games, a franchise record, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel learned that Hanley Ramirez is about to of sign the biggest contract in franchise history, a six year deal worth $70 million, a deal that would reset the pay scale for shortstops.

This would put Ramirez, who some are projecting as a shoe in candidate to join the 40-40 club this year, would be making more yearly than the second and third best young players in the game at the position, both of whom are with a top 15 franchise in terms of payroll. The scary part is this was actually a bargain for the Marlins, who are handing out an embarrassing $21 million this year. Hanley will be giving up his arbitration year and three years of free agency so getting the deal done now saved the Fish at least $20 million. Had Ramirez held out until the end of the season, he could have easily garnered $90-95 million. Like David Samson or not, he played this one beautifully.

Thinking back to 2005 when the Marlins traded Carlos Delgado two years after signing him to a four year, $52 million extension, the fact that this deal does not include a no trade clause is a bit sketchy but the new ballpark factor pretty much assures us that we’ll be watching Ramirez play until at least 2013. This news comes not even twenty-four hours after the Marlins selected the contractor for the new stadium.

On so many different levels, this is amazing news. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to continue to run around and scream hysterically.

Nolasco sharp, Marlins win fifth straight

Ricky Nolasco had his best outing of the year, giving up just one run in 6 innings and Luis Gonzalez batted in 3 runs as the Marlins topped the Nationals 7-3, extending their winning streak to five games and running their record to 7 games over .500. The 21-14 start is a franchise best.

Nolasco only needed to throw 39 pitches to get through his first 3 frames. He ran into a bit of trouble with two outs in the 4th, giving up back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases. When the bases are juiced, opposing teams hit Nolasco at a .313 clip. He bent, walking Nick Johnson, who got the rally started, in from third but didn’t break, getting Will Nieves to ground out, ending the threat. Nolasco struck out two more in his last inning, coming within one of his career high. Whatever kind of adjustment he made after he gave up 6 runs to the worst offensive team in the NL, it worked.

A trio of Marlins extended personal streaks but Doug Waechter could not extend his. Waechter was roughed up after he took over for Nolasco in the 6th, giving up 2 runs in just 0.2 innings and 29 pitches. It was the first time he’d given up a run in his last 8.2 frames. But Renyel Pinto and Kevin Gregg thwarted any kind of comeback attempt, combining to set down Washington’s last six hitters in order. Pinto now leads all NL relievers with 24.2 IP. His ERA is a ridiculous 0.73.

Game two of this three game weekend series tomorrow. Andrew Miller vs. Michael O’Connor.

Marlins, Hanley close to 6 year extension

According to the Sun Sentinel, the Marlins are on the verge of signing Hanley Ramirez to a 6 year, $70mil extension.

I can’t write anymore, I’m going to go dance in the street.

Treanor and Cantu power Marlins past Brewers

Mark Hendrickson didn’t have his best stuff on Thursday night at Dolphin Stadium. In fact, he had his shortest outing of the year, failing to make it past the 5th inning for the first time since last August. But the Marlins didn’t need him. The bullpen turned in 4 one run innings and Jorge Cantu and Matt Treanor both went deep as Florida pulled off the three game sweep of Milwaukee and after they got off to a rocky start, ended the nine game homestand on a good note with a 7-2 win. In the season series against the Brewers, the Fish went 5-1.

Hendrickson struggled from the get go, having to throw 36 pitches to get his first six outs. He didn’t throw a breaking pitch for a strike until the 3rd inning and he allowed a runner to get into scoring position in all but one of his frames. But because the Brewers are only hitting .206 in their last 209 at-bats, Hendrickson was able to limit the damage to just a single run. Save the Padres, any other team would have made him pay. Hendrickson had been marvelous through his first six starts but his reputation for being extremely inconsistent may be coming back to haunt him. Either that or he just had an off day. We’ll find out on Tuesday when he pitches in Cincinnati.

Logan Kensing came on with two on and one out in the 5th. He set down the next 8 Brewers in order. Milwaukee scratched out a run in the 8th against a rusty Matt Lindstrom, who hadn’t pitched since April 30 but Justin Miller prevented them from making it a game again, tossing a 9 pitch 9th. Kensing was awarded the win, his first of the year.

All of Florida’s offense came off of Carlos Villanueva. With a man on, Cantu got things started early in the 1st, depositing Villanueva’s sixteenth offering into the left field bleachers. It was his second two run homer in as many days. Cantu has given the Brewers headaches for his entire career. After tonight, he’s hitting .315 against them. Four innings later with two on, Matt Treanor got his first of the year, going oppo off the left field foul pole. In his last three games, Treanor has hit safely 6 times and he has knocked in 5 runs. Wes Helms and Hanley Ramirez got into the act as well. They each singled in a run.

The Fish will kick off a seven game road trip tomorrow in Washington DC. Ricky Nolasco will match up against Tim Redding.