Shortstop Hanley Ramirez's multimillion-dollar contract and the Marlins' new stadium will be linked more than ever after Saturday's announcement.
The Marlins were scheduled to make Ramirez's deal official at a news conference at the new stadium site, which sits in a portion of the Orange Bowl in downtown Miami. The announcement will be held on a baseball field that is part of the site.
"Hopefully they will be more apt to do long-term deals because of the new stadium," first baseman Mike Jacobs said.
That remains to be seen. Ramirez's deal, $70 million over six years, is the richest in team history.
Ramirez, 24, is making $439,000 this season. He would have been eligible for arbitration this season and free agency following the 2011 season. The stadium is scheduled to open for the 2011 season.
ROYALS 7, MARLINS 6: Two unearned runs made the difference in Florida's fourth straight loss. The top four batters in the Marlins' lineup went a combined 1-for-18. Second baseman Dan Uggla went 3-for-3 with a homer and right fielder Jeremy Hermida added a late two-run shot, but it was too little too late. Lefty Andrew Miller took the loss, allowing four runs in five innings but just two were earned. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez made a costly throwing error.
