Hello, 2013 Blog!
November 17^th, 2012 2:11 PM
Anchorage, Alaska

Japanese Cruise
It’s still 2012, but we’re already looking toward the 2013 season!  Today’s blog entry marks the first entry in our upcoming 2013 season.  If you have been following me, I have been keeping up with the off-season by tweeting on my “SSFLA” Twitter page.  On one of my previous tweets, I mentioned that some Florida officials have booked tickets to Japan.  In the last few days, I have gained more information on this.  It turns out that Florida officials have tickets to take a cruise on Drew Streets‘s Royal Atlantic cruise line.  As you can tell from the location of my blog, I have been invited to join!  We will be departing from Alaska in a few hours and our trip will have us trekking across the Pacific Ocean on the way to Japan! 

Drew Streets is on board as well, along with a few dozen members within the Featherhead organization.  Quite a few of the players have made the trip, and the Japanese representation is strong.  Tsumemasa Morimoto, Yoshino Miyata, Keitaro Kodo and the rest of the gang are on board.  This will be Kodo’s first trip to Japan since his departure from Edo.  It will be interesting to see how the local fans react to Kodo’s arrival.

This is far from being a vacation trip though.  Streets has invited 500 season ticket holders to join the organization on this trip free of charge.  I guess that is a pretty nice perk for being a season ticket holder!  From what I am told, this trip is aimed at the fans.  It is to honor the fans and show appreciation for their constant support of the team.

I have been informed that the organization plans to make several announcements during its voyage.  Expect the Florida brass to address its fans regarding the upcoming 2013 season.  Streets is scheduled to make a public address on board the ship.  In addition, Florida will unveil its marketing campaign for the new season, along with a brand new slogan.  For several seasons, the Featherheads have gone with the 100% Pure Squeezed Baseball catchphrase.  Organizational awards will be handed out, as well.

It has been confirmed that there are plans to make several stops around Japan’s baseball towns for a little “East-West” salutation – two of which have been mentioned to be  Kure Port and Niihama Port.  Interestingly enough (or rather, coincidentally), this decision comes off the heels of rumors that Niihama-shi Ghosts superstar Nobuhito Hasegawa could very well be on the move.

Featherhead Fervor
Now that the 2012 season has come to a close, data shows that support for the Featherheads is the best that it has been.  In 2007, the Featherheads drew 2 million fans.  Since 2010, attendance has increased each year, and Florida has attracted over 3 million fans in each of the last two seasons.  It is no coincidence that the increased interest in the team coincided with Florida’s on-the-field success and Streets’s arrival in 2009.  Let’s grant Streets a one-year grace period for 2009.  From 2010-2012, Florida ranks (with 2007-2008 rankings in parenthesis):

• 3^rd in winning percentage – 0.650 (14^th)
• 5^th in attendance – 9.76 million fans (15^th)
• 6^th in merchandising – $77.9 million (17^th)
• 6^th in total revenue – $325+ million (17^th)
• 1^st in profit – $77.9 million (5^th)

Based on these statistics, it is clear that fan interest and team loyalty is at an all-time high.  In an unofficial report, a baseball fan site has tabbed Florida as one of two organizations that have seen its fan base grow in loyalty.  I’m not even sure how a website can even quantify that.

Fans have expected a certain type of swagger and professionalism from the team.  Streets has imbued the team with a suave sense of confidence at the top.  Providing both the cash and business savvy, Streets has reshaped the organization with clever marketing and public relations work, such as the hiring of media personalities A.K. and Nelly.

Complementing Streets’s off-the-field expertise is GM Kevin Lewis‘s on-the-field maneuverings.  While Streets has provided the team with swagger, Lewis has given the team a voice of reason.  The two combined have helped the franchise gain a new level of respectability in the Florida community.

You can surely bet Streets and company realizes the metamorphosis that the team has undergone the last few seasons.  Look for Florida to capitalize and find ways to feed into the growing Featherhead fan base.

What’s next on the agenda for the Featherheads?  On the field, fans have seen their beloved team acquire primetime talent such as Cedric Mosley, Manuel González, Miyata and Kodo.  Off the field, the organization has successfully marketed the team on a national level.  What else can Streets possibly do for an encore performance?  Perhaps Streets will let us know when he is scheduled to give his speech on the pulse of the organization during this trip.

Arbitration & Free Agency Update
Taisuke Endo, Sergio Guillén, Dustin Moyer and Takanobu Murata are eligible for arbitration.  Currently, there has yet to be news of an extension for any of the mentioned players.  Pending free agents Dave Phelps and Glen Harris have been offered arbitration.

Charles Jeffries, another potential free agent, has been told that the ballclub will not tender him an offer.  Jeffries’s departure will leave the Featherheads with one catcher on the big league roster – Rafael Gonzáles.  There has been talks that Florida is in the market for a catcher to help complement Gonzáles.  AAA catcher Ward Davis appears to be in the mix for a shot at the backup role as well.

It has been speculated that third baseman Glen Harris will decline his arbitration offer and opt for free agency.  The hot corner has been a revolving door for the franchise.  In the last three seasons, Harris, Michael Kelly and David Goode all have manned the position.  Highly touted prospect Larry Martin has been the presumed heir apparent to the position, but rumors have been swirling that Lewis has publicized Martin’s availability.

If this is the case, Lewis must feel comfortable with corner infielders José González and Corbin Hickman.  González, who appeared in 26 games in 2012, was a Rule 5 draftee acquired from New Jersey last season.  The coaching staff has been particularly pleased with González’s development and willingness to learn from the veterans.  Hickman had a breakthrough minor league season in 2012 and has burst onto Florida’s radar screen as a noteworthy prospect.  The 23-year-old switch-hitter batted over .300 with 90+ RBI last season for the division-leading Beaufort Loggerdoggers.  Interestingly enough, I just saw Kevin McNeill mentioned the possibility of him playing third base.  That’s an interesting proposition.  When you think about it, this actually makes a lot of sense.  Moving him to third would save a lot of wear and tear on his body.  Then again, there is some rumor that an aforementioned third baseman in the Land of the Rising Sun may be available…