The Florida Marlins have changed their name to the Miami Marlins and altered their logo in order to win the Ugliest Logo in the Majors Award. They make these changes because they are on their way into a new stadium which they finagled out of some politicians. So the misfortune of Miami-Dade County school children, who will go without books for a thousand years so that adult millionaires can have an up-to-date playground, opens up an opportunity for our Astros.

Just like the Astros when they moved into Enron Field, the Marlins expect to generate more income which they will put towards increasing their payroll (allegedly). The Marlins have been linked to Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Mark Buehrle. Supposedly they won't just trade away all their free agent acquisitions after they win a World Series this time. I'll believe it when I see it. The two free agents that have been linked to the Marlins that I find most interesting are Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Personally, I hope Pujols signs a 10 year $300 million contract with the Cardinals so that in a few years they can have an albatross contract that dwarfs Carlos Lee's, but as far as Prince Fielder goes, I really hope the Marlins sign him.

Now, I don't hope the Marlins sign him because I am a Marlins fan. I hope they sign him because he will be a fixture at first base in Miami for the next 7 years or so. If they do sign him, I hope Ed Wade gives them a call and says, "So that Buehrle fellow is a fine pitcher. I see why you want him in your rotation. That is an absolutely brilliant idea. It's really too bad that so many other teams want him. Boy, I bet the Yankees have driven his asking price through the roof, and you did just spend a huge chunk of change on Prince...oh, well." Thoughtful pause. "Hey, you know what? I got this pitcher that has been fairly similar to Buehrle over the past few seasons by the name of Wandy. And he doesn't get paid as much. Do you still have that loud mouth Logan Morrison..."

Maybe there are other prospects in the Marlin's system that would fit the Astros better, but I wouldn't mind having a young power bat even if there is a bit of a traffic jam forming around first base. So I hope Ed checks in with Larry because the Marlins could match up in a trade of Wandy Rodriguez.

Spend, Marlins, spend!

Spend, Marlins, spend!

Go, Marlins!