July 2012 - Miami Marlins Wiretap

Marlins right fielder Mike Stanton now wants to be known as "Giancarlo" Stanton. With spring training cranking up and Stanton touted as a future home-run champion, he said he prefers Giancarlo. That is now the way he's identified on Miami's roster. That's also the name on his paycheck and above his locker.

There was a lot of talk this winter about whether Hanley Ramirez would accept a move to third base, but he has been all smiles in camp this far. Ramirez looks physically imposing, having added muscle to his frame. "When everyone was talking ... I was working," the Marlins infielder said. Miami signed Jose Reyes, forcing Ramirez to move left in the process. Offseason stories had Hanley pleased, upset and irate over the move. "It's 200 percent OK," Ramirez said Sunday. "I feel it in my heart. I feel it in my mind. I feel it in my body."

Hanley Ramirez tried out his new position for the first time on Tuesday and defended reports that he was unhappy about a switch from shortstop to third base. "I never said I'm not going to do it," he said. "I'm positive mentally. I feel great." Miami signed Jose Reyes this offseason, shifting Ramirez further left in the infield. As recently as last week, new manager Ozzie Guillen said he didn't think Ramirez had embraced the move.

Carlos Zambrano's new beginning is just getting started, and he cannot wait to make the most of his opportunity. Zambrano played in the Marlins Celebrity Golf Classic on Thursday, making his first public appearance in Miami since the Marlins acquired him in a trade for Chris Volstad in January. "I am very thankful for the opportunity the Marlins are giving me," Zambrano said.

Ozzie Guillen isn't concerned if Hanley Ramirez hasn't completely bought into changing positions by the first day of Spring Training. Ramirez's move from shortstop to third base has been one of the most talked about topics surrounding the Marlins since they signed Jose Reyes to a six-year, $106 million contract in December. "I don't think he's 100 percent on board, not yet," Guillen said. "Not from the last time I talked with him. I don't expect him to be. I expect him to be 100 percent on board with this move when we play St. Louis, the first day of the year." The Marlins open on April 4 against the Cardinals. By then, Guillen is confident Ramirez will be playing third base without any issues. "Right now, just let him be, man," Guillen said. "Just let him be. Let him be him. Let him say what he wants to say. So when the season starts, everything is [off] of your chest. Then go play hard and win some games."

The Miami Marlins will be the focus of Showtime's documentary series, "The Franchise" this season. The show will bring unprecedented exposure to a team that has finished last in the National League in attendance each of the past seven seasons. Miami hired Ozzie Guillen as manager and spent $191 million to sign All-Stars Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell this winter.

The Marlins have extended a contract offer to Yeonis Cespedes, but the value of the deal may not be a high as initially reported. The Miami Herald reports that the six-year deal offered to the Cuban outfielder is worth less than $40 million. A report on Saturday indicated that the contract was worth $40 million.

For the first time in Miami Marlins history, a player will wear No. 5 this season. Logan Morrison will have the distinction of donning the number that had been retired the first 19 years of the franchise's existence. The Marlins retired No. 5 on April 5, 1993, in honor of the late Carl Barger, the club's first president and chief operating officer. Barger passed away on Dec. 9, 1992 at the Winter Meetings. Since Barger's favorite all-time player was Joe DiMaggio, the Marlins decided to retire the No. 5 in their first president's memory.

The Marlins have offered Yeonis Cespedes a six-year, $40 million contract, according to a report. Miami has stated for months that they are interested in the 26-year-old Cuban outfielder and he visited the club this past week.

Ozzie Guillen says that Yoenis Cespedes is "pretty impressive," but that it's no slam dunk that the Cuban defector will end up in Miami. Marlins president David Samson has already said that they would like the outfielder, but don't have to have him. Guillen said Miami isn't the only team in the running, saying he thinks "they're promoting this kid all over the place. That's why you have an agent. You as a player, you know where you want to go." There has been speculation that Cespedes could command a $60 million contract, which makes Guillen nervous. "There are a lot of question marks out there," he said. "How's he going to handle major league pitching? We don't know. How's he going to handle major league media? We don't know. There are a lot of ifs. Whoever signs him is gambling."