Marlins Ordered To Spend More On Players

[image title="marlins empty stadium" size="full" id="14098" align="center" linkto="full" ]
For years, Yankees fans have grumbled about clubs like the Marlins that have taken revenue sharing dollars and pocketed them, rather than investing that money into their team. Well, MLB and MLBPA have finally taken umbrage with this practice, and ordered the Marlins to spend more on player salaries. Maury Brown brings us the press release, with this quote from new MLBPA leader Michael Weiner:

“In response to our concerns that revenue sharing proceeds have not been used as required, the Marlins have assured the Union and the Commissioner’s Office that they plan to use such proceeds to increase player payroll annually as they move toward the opening of their new ballpark. Today’s agreement, which covers the period 2010 through 2012, calls for ongoing communication among the Marlins, the Commissioner’s Office and the Union as the Marlins proceed with that plan. It also permits, after consultation among all parties, adjustments in the Marlins’ plan to respond to unforeseen developments, and calls for arbitral intervention if disagreements arise. We greatly appreciate the willingness of the Commissioner’s Office and the Marlins to engage with us and ensure that all terms of the Basic Agreement are met.”

So how does this impact the Yankees? Well, in terms of fairness, some will be pleased that the Yankees will no longer be paying the Marlins dollars that are supposed to be “level the playing field” but actually go towards filling the pockets of greedy owners. On the other hand, do the Yankees really want clubs like the Marlins to put those dollars into player procurement? This will result in weaker MLB teams improving, as well as cause salaries for players to escalate. When clubs like the Marlins start locking up their Josh Johnson’s on long term deals rather than making them available to the highest bidder, Yankees fans may learn find the old saw “Be careful what you wish for” particularly relevant.

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