Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports At least in terms of established starpower, the Marlins look like they’ll be a distant fifth behind every other NL East team in 2021. Real difficult division As first reported by Craig Mish, J.T. Realmuto is staying with the Phillies. His new contract, which guarantees $115.5 million over five years (with $10M of that deferred), ekes the former Marlin past Joe Mauer for the highest average annual value in MLB history for a catcher. J.T. Realmuto's 5-year, $115.5M contract breakdown:2021: $10 million ($10 million deferred)2022: $23.875 million2023: $23.875 million2024: $23.875 million2025: $23.875 million2026: $5 million (half of the deferred payment)2027: $5 million (half of the deferred payment)— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 26, 2021 Despite its record-breaking nature, that strikes me as a team-friendly deal. It only binds Realmuto to the Phillies through his age-34 season. While he will likely have declined to some extent by that point, I would bet he’ll be able to continue to give them semi-regular starts behind the plate. Given the scarcity of star catchers in Major League Baseball right now, that should be comforting to the Phils (and terrifying for the Fish and other NL East teams). Updated 2021 ZiPS projections have the Phillies still mired in mediocrity at 80-82 but comfortably ahead of the Marlins (73-89). Per multiple reports, the Phillies aren’t done yet. In the aftermath of free agent shortstops Marcus Semien and Andrelton Simmons signing with the Blue Jays and Twins, respectively, they have been linked to the best available player still at the position, Didi Gregorius. Spring training? That’s happening, right? Not to be overshadowed by the MLB hot stove, there were a series of spring training-related developments on Monday. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic got the morning started by suggesting that the league use common sense and delay team camps due to COVID-19 concerns, then aim to get started slightly later while still squeezing in a full regular season (or something very close to 162 games). Right on cue, a group representing Arizona’s Cactus League released a statement hitting on many of the same notes. The MLB Players’ Association acknowledged the challenging circumstances ahead, but didn’t back down from plans to proceed on schedule. To that point, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium announced plans to sell tickets to Marlins and Cardinals Grapefruit League games, beginning 10 a.m. ET this coming Monday: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium The first day of Marlins exhibitions—Feb. 27 split-squad games vs. the Mets (road) and Cardinals (home)—is only one month away. Walk-off links Negotiations on a new television rights deal between the Marlins and FOX Sports Florida parent company Sinclair Broadcasting continue, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. But the average annual value and total value of it remain unclear, and Jackson reports that the Marlins “began to explore other options simply to protect themselves” at one point in the process. What a mess... The Herald also brings us news of Marlins ownership reaching a $4.2M settlement with Miami-Dade county to share a portion of the profits from the 2017 sale of the franchise. There are no players in the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame class. Former right-hander Curt Schilling was the only one on the ballot to even sniff the required 75% threshold (71.8%). However, 2020 inductee and Marlins CEO Derek Jeter will (pandemic permitting) be the headliner during this summer’s induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. Fish Stripes is hosting a new podcast series from Ethan Budowsky that will explore the HOF voting process. What do Andrew Benintendi, Adam Frazier, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Ian Happ, Mike Tauchman and Anthony Santander have in common? I think any of them could be joining the Marlins before the end of this offseason in lieu of signing a free agent outfielder. Trevor Rogers and MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola appeared on Tuesday’s Marlins Hot Stove Show. De Nicola lists the best moments in Marlins Park history (cat on the field not included). FanGraphs has more analysis on the Anthony Bass signing (the deal is still unofficial as of this writing). Bases Loaded podcast host Mike Kurland studies the tape on highly regarded right-hander Edward Cabrera. Jazz Chisholm is MLB Pipeline’s 10th-ranked shortstop prospect. Marlins pitching prospect Anthony Maldonado contributed to a Criollos de Caguas championship-winning season in Puerto Rico. He has committed to participating in the Caribbean Series which kicks off in Mexico later this week. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anthony Maldonado (@anthonymaldonado40)

Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images Three pitchers head up today’s edition of the All-Time Marlins Countdown. Today’s All-Time Marlins Countdown features three pitchers. Today’s group of three are in the final bracket—of players to total more than 800 PA/BF with the Marlins. Players are ordered in ascending bWAR value divided by PA/BF. Our heroes today all finished slightly below replacement level in their time with the Marlins. 117. Vic Darensbourg Left-handed pitcher Vic Darensbourg started his professional career in 1989, when the Kansas City Royals chose him in the 53rd round out of Santa Monica College. A native of Los Angeles, California, Darensbourg never played in the minors for Kansas City, instead going to Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. In 1992, the Marlins signed Darensbourg through free agency. He put up a 0.64 ERA for the GCL Marlins at the Rookie-Level, striking out 37 in 42 innings. He continued his success at the lower level in 1993 for the Single-A Kane County Cougars, posting a 9-1 record with 16 saves, a 2.14 ERA, and 89 whiffs in 71 1?3 innings. Darensbourg was rewarded for his good performance by Baseball America, who ranked him as the number six Marlins prospect the following season. Still, it wouldn’t be until 1998 when Darensbourg got to the majors. Eventually, Darensbourg pitched 264 2?3 innings for the Florida Marlins in 271 appearances over five seasons. He was 7-15 with two saves, a 5.00 ERA, 215 K’s, and a 1.477 WHIP, throwing strikes on 65 percent of his pitches. That includes 2001, when he threw an astounding 71 percent over the plate. Opponents slashed .270/.345/.427, and Darensbourg stranded 70 percent of inherited baserunners. Darensbourg had one of his best games for the Marlins on September 1, 2000, in an 8-7 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He earned the win by striking out two over two shutout innings, pitching the ninth and 10th innings of an 11-inning victory. After the 2002 season, the Marlins traded Darensbourg with Charles Johnson, Pablo Ozuna, and Preston Wilson to the Colorado Rockies for Mike Hampton, Juan Pierre, and cash. Darensbourg played another three big league seasons, appearing with the Rockies, the Montreal Expos, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets, and the Detroit Tigers. 116. Brian Moehler Rockingham, North Carolina native Brian Moehler is a six-foot-three right-handed pitcher. In 1993, the Tigers drafted him in the sixth round out of the University of North Carolina. Moehler rose to the major league level with Detroit in 1996, and ended up playing parts of seven seasons as a member of their rotation. In 131 starts, he posted a 48-52 record and a 4.44 ERA, with 446 K’s in 809 innings. Prior to his time with the Marlins, he also played with the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros. Before the start of the 2004 season, Moehler signed on with the Atlanta Braves, but didn’t get to pitch at the major league level for them. After the season ended, he signed the first of two one-year deals with the Marlins. In his two seasons for Florida, he started in 46 of his 66 overall appearances, and posted a 13-23 record with a 5.43 ERA. He struck out 153 in 280 1?3 innings, and racked up a 1.577 WHIP, holding opponents to a .319/.367/.495 line. Photo by Bob Leverone/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images On May 27, 2005, Moehler had his best start of the season for the Marlins, going by GameScore. He struck out six and allowed one earned run on four hits and zero walks over eight innings. Unfortunately, he took the loss, as the one run was enough for New York Mets starter Pedro Martinez to author a 1-0 victory. On August 25, 2006, Moehler relieved Ricky Nolasco while trailing the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2 in the third inning, then gave up just one hit over four innings and earned the victory in a 6-5 win. Moehler signed with the Houston Astros before the 2007 season, and played four seasons for them. After 14 major league seasons, he completed his career with a 84-107 record and a 4.81 ERA. 115. Matt Clement Right-hand pitcher Matt Clement is a six-foot-three native of McCandless, Pennsylvania. In 1993, the San Diego Padres drafted him out of high school in the third round. By 1997 he was the number nine Padres prospect, according to Baseball America. At the end of 1998, Clement joined the rotation with the Padres for two starts. After starting 1999 as their number one prospect, he remained in their rotation for two more seasons. He made 67 starts in total, going 25-29 with a 4.82 ERA. At the very end of Spring Training in 2001, Clement was sent with Omar Ortiz and Eric Owens to the Marlins for Cesar Crespo and Mark Kotsay. His season with Florida was the third of seven in a row that he didn’t miss a turn in the rotation, making 31 starts for the Marlins. Clement was 9-10 with a 5.05 ERA and 134 K’s in 169 1?3 innings for Florida. He put up a 1.518 WHIP, and led the National League with 15 wild pitches. In his second start of the season, on April 8, Clement struck out eight and allowed one run on a solo homer, going eight innings in a 6-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. On August 1, he struck out 11 in six innings, and earned no decision in a 5-4 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. Through the campaign, Clement plated 60 percent of his offerings and allowed opponents to slash .267/.365/.428. After the season ended, he was flipped to the Chicago Cubs with Antonio Alfonseca to the Marlins for Jose Cueto, Ryan Jorgensen, Julian Tavarez, and Dontrelle Willis. Clement took 94 turns in the Cubs rotation, going 35-36 with a 3.80 ERA and 576 K’s in 587 2?3 innings. He made his only All Star appearance in 2005, after joining the Boston Red Sox. He started another 42 games for them in the American League, going 18-11 with a 5.09 ERA.

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images Weekly, we take a look around the SB Nation family of NFL blogs. Here are the news stories and analysis they are discussing. AFC EAST: New England Patriots (via Pats Pulpit) Why the Patriots’ should not trade a first-round pick for a quarterback - Pats PulpitDon’t let the desperation win. New York Jets (via Gang Green Nation) Woody Johnson Announces His Return to the Jets - Gang Green NationJets owner Woody Johnson announced his return to the team Monday in a series of tweets. Buffalo Bills (via Buffalo Rumblings) Buffalo Bills WR Cole Beasley played the final month with broken leg - Buffalo RumblingsWARRIOR AFC NORTH: Baltimore Ravens (via Baltimore Beatdown) Ravens hire Rob Ryan as inside linebackers coach - Baltimore BeatdownThe Baltimore Ravens have hired Rob Ryan to be their inside linebackers coach, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Behind the Steel Curtain) Steelers decide on Matt Canada as their next offensive coordinator - Behind the Steel CurtainThe Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly settled on their next offensive coordinator. Cincinnati Bengals (via Cincy Jungle) Creative solutions needed to solve Bengals’ pass-rushing woes - Cincy JungleHiring Marion Hobby was a great move for Cincinnati, but the defense still has a major question at a critical position. Cleveland Browns (via Dawgs By Nature) Origins and importance of the Senior Bowl - Dawgs By NatureAnnual college All-Star game is a proving ground for many draft hopefuls AFC SOUTH: Houston Texans (via Battle Red Blog) Deshaun Watson Isn’t Without Fault - Battle Red BlogHe stuck with it and signed up for this. Tennessee Titans (via Music City Miracles) Titans RB Derrick Henry Named 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the PFWA - Music City MiraclesThe accolades keep coming. This is great to see. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has been named the 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of... Jacksonville Jaguars (via Big Cat Country) 2021 Senior Bowl: 8 players the Jaguars should be watching - Big Cat CountryWho should the Jaguars be looking at in the Senior Bowl? Indianapolis Colts (via Stampede Blue) Report: Lions QB Matthew Stafford ‘Most Definitely Has his Eyes On’ the Colts Starting Quarterback Opening - Stampede BlueAccording to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (subscription), Detroit Lions franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, who’s expected to be traded this offseason—after he and the Lions mutually agreed to part... AFC WEST: Denver Broncos (via Mile High Report) What should the Denver Broncos do with Von Miller this year? - Mile High ReportThe Denver Broncos have to make a decision with Von Miller, but it might be wise to hold off on that decision until 2022. Los Angeles Chargers (via Bolts from the Blue) Chargers News: Joe Lombardi to become Bolts’ new offensive coordinator - Bolts From The BlueLombardi has a prior stint as the Lions’ OC from 2014-2015. Las Vegas Raiders (via Silver and Black Pride) Las Vegas Raiders poll: Do you want JuJu Smith-Schuster? - Silver And Black PridePittsburgh Steelers free agent receiver is interested in coming to the Raiders Kansas City Chiefs (via Arrowhead Pride) How Patrick Mahomes dominated the Bills despite his turf toe injury - Arrowhead PrideThe AFC title may have painted a picture of what Mahomes might look like in his late 30s. NFC EAST: New York Giants (via Big Blue View) ‘Valentine’s Views’: Puzzling prospects, playoff lessons, more - Big Blue ViewThings I’m thinking about today Philadelphia Eagles (via Bleeding Green Nation) NFL insider says Carson Wentz ‘feels a little bit off in his relationship with the entire [Eagles] organization’ - Bleeding Green NationWith Nick Sirianni replacing Doug Pederson as the Eagles’ head coach, there’s an assumption that Carson Wentz will definitely be back with Philadelphia in 2021. But is that truly the case? Dallas Cowboys (via Blogging the Boys) Four reasons why the Cowboys front office is handling the Dak Prescott contract situation correctly - Blogging The BoysThe Dallas Cowboys haven’t signed Dak Prescott to a long-term deal yet, but is it possibly they are smart in how they’ve handled this contract situation? Washington Football Team (via Hogs Haven) The Who, When, And How Of Washington’s Next Quarterback - Hogs HavenOn this edition of the Cult of Colt, we ponder who’s next under center for the Burgundy & Gold NFC NORTH: Green Bay Packers (via Acme Packing Company) Matt LaFleur hopes Aaron Rodgers will return to Packers; what of Mike Pettine? - Acme Packing CompanyThe Packers’ head coach made no bones about wanting his quarterback to come back. He seemed to be very upset about one particular call from his defensive coordinator, however. Detroit Lions (via Pride of Detroit) Detroit Lions hiring Duce Staley as RB coach/assistant head coach - Pride Of DetroitThe Lions’ offensive staff is starting to come together. Chicago Bears (via Windy City Gridiron) Sean Desai, the New “Big Boss” of the Chicago Bears’ Defense - Windy City GridironThe Bears promoted Sean Desai into their defensive coordinator position. That doesn’t mean everything will remain the same. Minnesota Vikings (via Daily Norseman) Secret Base rewinds the Minneapolis Miracle - Daily NorsemanHey! Vikings content! NFC SOUTH: New Orleans Saints (via Canal Street Chronicles) New Orleans Saints should explore trade QB Matt Stafford - Canal Street ChroniclesHe’ll have to change his number, but Matt Stafford in New Orleans is a rare move from star quarterback to star quarterback. Atlanta Falcons (via The Falcoholic) Falcons Free Agency 2021: Priority re-signings for Atlanta - The FalcoholicThe Falcons are about to face a difficult offseason with very limited cap flexibility, but they still need to make moves in free agency. In Part 2 of our free agency series, we take a look at some important players for Atlanta to re-sign heading into 2021. Carolina Panthers (via Cat Scratch Reader) Celebrating the Panthers’ 4 promising rookie undrafted free agents - Cat Scratch ReaderDespite going undrafted, Carolina found a couple of rookies who not only made the roster but also made some meaningful contributions. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Bucs Nation) Bucs expected to get Antonio Brown back for the Super Bowl - Bucs NationBucs will need all hands on deck. NFC WEST: San Francisco 49ers (via Niners Nation) 49ers offseason plan, Pt. II: Trade for Stafford, retain Verrett and sign C Alex Mack - Niners NationThis is the second installment of our offseason plan for San Francisco Arizona Cardinals (via Revenge of the Birds) Back to the drawing board: A blueprint for the Cardinals offseason - Revenge of the BirdsThe Arizona Cardinals have a lot of issues that need fixing this offseason. Here’s a blueprint they should follow to become a contender next season. Seattle Seahawks (via Field Gulls) Seahawks OC Search: Why Ken Dorsey and Shane Waldron linked to Seattle - Field GullsThe Seattle Seahawks saw their 2020 season end two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams, so they will be watching the NFC Championship Game with the rest of us as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on... Los Angeles Rams (via Turf Show Times) What was Rams biggest misstep in 2020 offseason? - Turf Show TimesAnd what should they learn from it?

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. It is officially Senior Bowl week and Brian Flores still hasn’t filled his vacant offensive coordinator spot and he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to name one. Flores stated he is still in the process of finding the teams newest OC and feels the players are in good hands with Eric Studesville and George Godsey this week. Perhaps Flores is not only evaluating the players this week, but is also seeing how Studesville and Godsey handles offensive duties. Those two are still in the running for the OC spot and we shouldn’t rule out any outside candidates. I don’t care who it is, just as long as Brian Flores can find the right guy to guide the Dolphins offense. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Brian Flores says Dolphins still going through “process” in OC searchBrian Flores says Dolphins still going through "process" in OC search Senior Bowl DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris top Dolphins' Senior Bowl watch list - Miami Dolphins Blog- ESPNWith Miami's Brian Flores coaching one of the teams this week, the staff will get an up-close look at prospects who could fill one of nine draft picks. DeVonta Smith on Tua Tagovailoa: We’ve talked about running it back - ProFootballTalkIn a time not so long ago, Tua Tagovailoa fired passes to DeVonta Smith at Alabama. Dolphins Defense Dolphins Q&A: Is the return of Davon Godchaux and Vince Biegel enough to improve Miami’s defense?Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers Safid Deen and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers. Phinsider News You May Have Missed Miami Dolphins News 1/26/21: Senior Bowl Week Begins For The Dolphins - The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. DeVonta Smith has talked to Tua Tagovailoa about ‘running it back’ with Miami Dolphins - The Phinsidertua + smith = 4 lyfe Miami Dolphins HC Brian Flores ‘still going through the process’ of finding next offensive coordinator - The PhinsiderThere’s not a whole lot we know about who the Miami Dolphin's next offensive coordinator will be. Some speculate it might be an in-house promotion for TEs coach George Godsey or RBs coach Eric...