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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Good morning from the Fort, where the Red Sox aren’t exactly reeling from reports that the Miami Marlins were “outraged” by the absence of regulars from the lineup the Sox sent to Jupiter on Thursday.

Sox manager John Farrell told reporters he’d heard that the Marlins might have filed a complaint with the commissioner’s office, but a Marlins spokesman said Friday morning that was not the case.

Technically, the Red Sox did not abide by the directive teams receive regarding the composition of lineups for road games, which states that clubs should bring “a minimum of four players who are regulars on the previous year’s major league team or who were platooned on the previous year’s major league team on a regular basis, or who have a reasonable chance to be regulars on the major league club’s squad during the upcoming season. Each of those regulars, excluding pitchers, must play a minimum of three complete innings."

The Marlins’ sensitivity to Boston’s no-name lineup -- Bradley was the only regular -- likely stems from the fact that they charged “super premium” prices for the Boston game, tacking on from $10 to $12 per ticket. It was the only game this spring that they did so. Despite playing in a two-year-old stadium, the Marlins ranked 29th in attendance out of 30 big-league teams, drawing 1.586 million fans. And a club source said ticket sales are lagging badly again this season.

The Marlins, with a lineup sporting seven of their regulars, managed just two hits and were held to a scoreless tie by the Sox irregulars.

“I thought we played a pretty darn good game," Farrell said. “As a matter of fact, it was the cleanest game we’ve played all spring."

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The irony of the Marlins being upset because the WS Champs didn't field a "professional" team is really strange. They haven't fielded a professional team in years!

@John_W_Henry: They should apologize for their regular season lineup.

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@John_W_Henry: They should apologize for their regular season lineup.

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Results of this particular game aside, the Sox didn't live up to the agreement. That Dominican kid from south Florida laid out his lawn mowing money for his only chance to see Big Papi and didn't even get one at-bat.

Tip of the cap to the gentlemen from Boston.

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That Dominican kid from south Florida laid out his lawn mowing money for his only chance to see Big Papi and didn't even get one at-bat.

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It isn't Boston's responsibility to ensure that the Miami Marlins deliver value to their fan. It is the Marlins responsibility.

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That Dominican kid from south Florida laid out his lawn mowing money for his only chance to see Big Papi and didn't even get one at-bat.

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It isn't Boston's responsibility to ensure that the Miami Marlins deliver value to their fan. It is the Marlins responsibility.

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Well according to the agreement that Boston signed and is apart of it is. You can say marlins are butt hurt all you want but Boston clearly broke the agreement.

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Well according to the agreement that Boston signed and is apart of it is. You can say marlins are butt hurt all you want but Boston clearly broke the agreement.

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And are apparently gleefully basking in their unprofessional actions.

I think it's well established that no one is laying out money for Marlins games.

Gleefully basking??? The queens in Florida aren't limited to Miami, I guess. The GM apologized, and I can't blame Henry for saying what everyone is thinking.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/9/2014 1:28p).]

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I think it's well established that no one is laying out money for Marlins games.

Gleefully basking??? The queens in Florida aren't limited to Miami, I guess. The GM apologized, and I can't blame Henry for saying what everyone is thinking.

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If there is only one person in baseball who is allowed to say it publicly, it is John Henry. After all, he used to own the Marlins. It wouldn't surprise me if he was behind it all along. Why should the Marlins capitalize on the efforts of other teams, when they clearly make ZERO efforts to improve their own position.

So it's okay because it's the Marlins. Got it.

I expect that Boston will no longer charge different ticket prices for different teams at Fenway, then. After all, the fans are there to see the Sox, not the Rays, Twins, Cubs, etc.

Ohnoes! Randomly picking out those three teams from above showed three different pricing schemes.

The agreement says bring the MLB players. People make plans to see those players. Franchises make plans in relation to those spectators.

John Henry shouldn't try to be Mark Cuban. In fact, if he could get back to ruining Liverpool, he'd be doing us all a service.

The sox don't play preseason games in Fenway. So I don't think the analogy works.

The real embarrassment is the a team of double and triple A players shut out the Marlin regulars.

Wow, I didn't actually think that there would be anyone on Miami's side...

Please, pull up the agreement, along with the language in the agreement, that says they violated it. IMO, the Marlins have their own "professionalism" issues to worry about, especially after that fast one with the stadium they pulled on the city...

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Wow, I didn't actually think that there would be anyone on Miami's side...

Please, pull up the agreement, along with the language in the agreement, that says they violated it. IMO, the Marlins have their own "professionalism" issues to worry about, especially after that fast one with the stadium they pulled on the city...

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The agreement is apparently quoted in the excerpt that's in the original post.

It's not a Marlins vs Red Sox issue. It's a rules thing. So far, the sentiment from some seems to be, "it's the Marlins, so it doesn't really matter."

Chowdah, the point is that there's a competitive balance and fan service clause in this agreement. If the Marlins made plans based on what they expected the Red Sox to do, then when the Red Sox didn't follow through, there's a potential loss.

All teams vary their ticket prices based on the visiting team, judging that there will be a change in demand depending on that team. Mocking the Marlins for placing a premium on Boston Red Sox tickets and complaining when the Pawtucket Red Sox show up instead is hypocritical when it costs $10-20 more per person to get into Fenway Park depending on the away team.

The "it's the Marlins" attitude is 100% the fault of the Marlins. Henry's point was spot on even if you don't like it. Save the alligator tears for an organization that actually makes some attempt to put a competitive product on the field. Sure, Boston may tier pricing based on competitor, but they also put their own competitive MLB product on the field. They aren't relying entirely on the opponent. And again, Boston apologized but the Marlins have earned every bit of mocking they get.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/9/2014 5:04p).]

And as far as potential loss goes, what's left to lose? Their attendance can get worse???

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/9/2014 5:05p).]

It shouldn't matter who the aggrieved team is.

I remember back when Michael Jordan was playing minor league baseball. The series when the Barons came to Jacksonville was the most attended set of games in franchise history. It would have been understood and smart if the prices were jacked up by 50-100% (perhaps they were, I don't recall that part). If, the day of the first game, the Barons had told the Suns that His Airness was not only not playing, but hadn't even made the trip, the Bragans (the ownership/management) would have raised holy hell. And rightly so.

Here is a different way to look at it: what if the reason behind NOT sending a full squad IS because they were playing the Marlins?

Hell, why waste the time traveling, hotels, food prep etc, when an intra team game and fielding drills is a MUCH better preparation tool than playing the Marlins.

I do get your point kid. Yeah, they blew them off. But, as has been argued, it is the Marlins fault they get blown off.

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Here is a different way to look at it: what if the reason behind NOT sending a full squad IS because they were playing the Marlins?

Hell, why waste the time traveling, hotels, food prep etc, when an intra team game and fielding drills is a MUCH better preparation tool than playing the Marlins.

I do get your point kid. Yeah, they blew them off. But, as has been argued, it is the Marlins fault they get blown off.

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I don't think anyone who had decision making power has said, "we didn't send Ortiz, Pedroia, etc, because it was only the Marlins."

It's just bad bull on their part. Even Manziel played a half against South Carolina State.

How will the Marlins ever make it up to the 6000 fans that 2 more Bosox regulars didn't play 3 innings and get 1 AB each? Oh the humanity!!!

If the lawnmower boy spent his extra hard-earned money to go to a spring training game where 4 regulars (with some of those being a stretch) might get 1 AB, then he'd better be prepared to spend most of his life mowing lawns. Decision-making is not a strong suit. Especially when you can get tickets to the regular season games for darn near free.

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If the lawnmower boy spent his extra hard-earned money to go to a spring training game where 4 regulars (with some of those being a stretch) might get 1 AB, then he'd better be prepared to spend most of his life mowing lawns. Decision-making is not a strong suit. Especially when you can get tickets to the regular season games for darn near free.

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It's still about the Marlins with you, DD.

Maybe when my son gets to be 10 or 12, he'll save up money to do or get something he wants. And I won't judge him, like my dad didn't give me a hard time about spending $120 on a cd player.

Oh, and Jupiter to the Marlins Park is roughly the same distance as College Station to Minute Maid Park in Houston.

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Wow, I didn't actually think that there would be anyone on Miami's side...

Please, pull up the agreement, along with the language in the agreement, that says they violated it. IMO, the Marlins have their own "professionalism" issues to worry about, especially after that fast one with the stadium they pulled on the city...

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The agreement is apparently quoted in the excerpt that's in the original post.

It's not a Marlins vs Red Sox issue. It's a rules thing. So far, the sentiment from some seems to be, "it's the Marlins, so it doesn't really matter."

Chowdah, the point is that there's a competitive balance and fan service clause in this agreement. If the Marlins made plans based on what they expected the Red Sox to do, then when the Red Sox didn't follow through, there's a potential loss.

All teams vary their ticket prices based on the visiting team, judging that there will be a change in demand depending on that team. Mocking the Marlins for placing a premium on Boston Red Sox tickets and complaining when the Pawtucket Red Sox show up instead is hypocritical when it costs $10-20 more per person to get into Fenway Park depending on the away team.

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This is a legit point - if the Sox do it during preseason. If they do this in Ft. Meyers, you've made a very compelling argument against this practice.

If the Sox DON'T do it in Ft. Meyers, well, it is still a good point - the Sox apologized - and Henry called them all losers (which they are, btw).

Edit: I did selectively cut and paste the original article (per Texags rules, posting copyrighted material in its entirety is a no-no). But I did include the rule infraction in an effort to be fair.

[This message has been edited by Say chowdah (edited 3/9/2014 8:39p).]

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It's still about the Marlins with you, DD.

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So what? Regardless of what is on the books, to hear these clowns complain about the competitive product of another team is worthy of mockery. A product, which by the way, happened to measure up equally to what the Marlins put on the field that day. If you are too dense or too sensitive to appreciate that, then so be it.

I'll bet there is probably also a bridge or two between Jupiter and the Marlins ballpark. No wonder no one goes to their games.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/9/2014 9:04p).]

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I don't think anyone who had decision making power has said, "we didn't send Ortiz, Pedroia, etc, because it was only the Marlins."

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And they won't. EVER. But that doesn't mean it didn't factor into the decision making.

Truthfully, the John Henry tweet is all I need to see to believe that he told Cherington to not bother with them.

And, he has that right. I am sure there are some people still in the Marlins organization who received paychecks signed by him. If Henry isn't happy with what they've done to the team he built from nothing to the World Series, well, he has the right to be critical.

Yup, you got me, Doofenstein. I'm dense in thinking that there's a rule, and that they ought to follow it, and they ought not to laugh about breaking it afterwards.

Chowdah, according to that agreement, he doesn't have that right. Team A is supposed to send a few names to Team B's park for a 3 inning cameo.

Henry owned the Marlins for the 99-00-01 seasons, finishing last, third and fourth. Sucked the next season, too, before winning in 2003. If he's taking a dig at a franchise he owned for three years, and sold away over ten years ago...

http://bit.ly/1kGDys2

Danny, you're not a Red Sox fan, right? Why have you joined in on the butthurt?

And this...

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Henry owned the Marlins for the 99-00-01 seasons, finishing last, third and fourth. Sucked the next season, too, before winning in 2003. If he's taking a dig at a franchise he owned for three years, and sold away over ten years ago...

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...is on point. Henry must remember the bad product his Florida Marlins were.

Yes, its true. Miami has had a couple of pretty bad seasons. Surely, though, Henry hasn't yet forgotten the **** up that were the 2012 Boston Red Sox?

Let it go, old man.

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The Marlins' 1998 slumped to 54–108, the worst record in the major leagues that year, and the most losses in franchise history. They are the only team to lose 100 games a year after winning the World Series. Leyland resigned as manager in October 1998, and was replaced by John Boles. Huizenga soon sold the club to John Henry, a commodities trader from Boca Raton, during the off-season.

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Ok, so maybe 54 wins isn't exactly NOTHING but you can see it from there.

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Danny, you're not a Red Sox fan, right? Why have you joined in on the butthurt?

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No. I simply find irony and humor in the Marlins organization taking offense to another team putting a less competitive product on the field. I guess this is difficult for some to see and understand. Yes, the Red Sox broke the rule. No, I'm not excusing it.

But at the same time, the Marlins basically pulled a $500 million fraud on the county/city and currently has an open SEC investigation, while some of you are crying that 2-3 more Red Sox didn't play 3 innings in a spring training game attended by 6000 people. I find irony and humor in that too.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/10/2014 8:55a).]

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Surely, though, Henry hasn't yet forgotten the **** up that were the 2012 Boston Red Sox?

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Of course he hasn't forgotten it. You remember he fired the manager, hired a new one, reorganized the team and won the world series in 13 don't you?

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No. I simply find irony and humor in the Marlins organization taking offense to another team putting a less competitive product on the field.

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THIS! 1000 times THIS is the issue.

It's not the issue, it's the spin.

I'm not going to argue that the Marlins aren't the worst franchise in the majors, that they don't deserve ridicule, that aren't stealing some of my money (that ballpark affects all of Florida).

But this situation was presented as, "We're Boston, we thumbed our noses at the guideline, but we don't care because it was the Marlins. In fact, let's snicker about their protesting and ignore the fact that if we'd done it against any of the other 28 clubs, we would be hoping nobody noticed."

or

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But this situation was presented as, "We're Boston, we thumbed our noses at the guideline, but we don't care because it was the Marlins. In fact, let's snicker about their protesting. We wouldn't have done it to any of the other 28 clubs, because they care enough about the integrity of the game to actually field a team that would have stomped the crap out of that lineup we threw out there."

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And maybe issue is the wrong word. How about lynchpin?

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Technically, the Red Sox did not abide by the directive teams receive regarding the composition of lineups for road games, which states that clubs should bring “a minimum of four players who are regulars on the previous year’s major league team or who were platooned on the previous year’s major league team on a regular basis, or who have a reasonable chance to be regulars on the major league club’s squad during the upcoming season.

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After going back and looking at the boxscore for this game, I'm not so sure the Sox did anything wrong in the first place.

Jackie Bradley Jr. - spent a decent amount of time on the big league roster last year (95 ABs) and is penciled in as the starting CFer for 2014

Ryan Lavarnway - 291 plate appearances over the last 2 years, could easily move into a platoon role at C if either ross or pierszinski go down with injury. And is currently the leading option for reps at 1B if napoli were to go down.

Allen Webster - got 7 starts last year and pitched in another game. Will likely be the first SP called on if/when one of the starters goes down (which is basically a given for buchholz and peavy)

Drake Britton - 21 IP from the pen last season and may win a job in the pen in 14. Would be one of the first call-ups in event of injury

Alex Wilson - 27 and 2/3rds IP from the pen last season. Likely to be called up if a righty is needed in 14

There's 5 players right there that have a reasonable chance to be regulars on the major league club’s squad during the upcoming season, not to mention their time already spent on the roster in 2013.

Dear God in Heaven. The Four Horsemen are outside my door.

DKM is the only one who had a reasonable, fact-based response to the competitive balance issue as it relates to Boston's responsibility.