The Florida/Miami Marlins franchise has won 2 World Series titles since 1997. Only the Cardinals, Yankees, and Red Sox have won multiple titles in that 14 year span. No one would argue that the Red Sox, Yankees, and Cardinals are wildly successful franchises. Each team ranks consistently near the top of attendance percentage, regular season wins, and more recently, farm system strength. Each plays in their own little baseball palace, representative of their individual markets. Boston’s Fenway Park is old and historic, like Boston. New York’s Yankee Stadium is sprawling and audacious, like New York City. And St. Louis’ Busch Stadium is, well, Midwestern (okay, so the narrative falls a little flat here, but trust me, people say nice things about Busch Stadium). Much like how they say nice things about the Midwest.

The Miami Marlins are not the Cardinals, Red Sox, or Yankees. For years, they played in a ¾ empty football stadium that wasn’t quite in Miami, but wasn’t quite in Fort Lauderdale. Every year, the Marlins built up their farm system, their prospects succeeded, and were subsequently traded for newer, younger players. And the cycle continued. Some years (1997 and 2003) were very successful. Other years (the rest of them) were not.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria complained consistently that the team couldn’t compete in the modern market because they didn’t have a beautiful, personalized baseball mecca. After years of wrangling, haranguing, and hand-wringing, Loria got his wish. That wish was a taxpayer-funded stadium in Miami proper.

The Florida Marlins became the Miami Marlins at the start of this season; new ballpark, new name, new uniforms, new mentality. That was, until Monday.

After a free agent shopping spree, the Marlins entered the season with elevated expectations. Visions of playoffs dancing in heads and whatnot. However, things don’t always work out that way. The Marlins entered Monday, July 23 trailing the first place Washington Nationals by double digits. Jeffrey Loria decided to throw in the towel.

In the past three days, the Marlins have traded away their best pitcher, their starting second baseman, their lefty setup man, and their most recognizable star. More is expected to come. Maybe their closer, Heath Bell. Maybe their oft-injured, but very talented pitcher, Josh Johnson.

It appears that everything must go in Miami. Perhaps the team should be next.

-The Philadelphia Phillies have signed pitcher, and lover of the Old Skool, Cole Hamels to a 6 year contract extension. Hamels will make $144 million over the duration of that contract.

-Across I-76, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded three quality minor league prospects for Astros “ace” Wandy Rodriguez, who is under contract through 2014.

-The Boston Red Sox traded Brent Lillibridge (who they acquired in the Kevin Youkilis trade) to Cleveland for something.

-The Arizona Diamondbacks traded Ryan Roberts to the Tampa Bay Rays for something. Just not the same something that the Red Sox got from Cleveland.

Gio Gonzalez bounced back spectacularly from a rough start against the Mets last week, as he led the Nationals to their 4^thstraight victory. Gonzalez pitched 7 innings, allowing just 2 hits, while striking out 4. He threw just 87 pitches.

Offensively, the Nats were led, again, by Ryan Zimmerman, who is giving everyone a good reason to get a cortisone shot. Zimmerman was 3-for-5 at the plate and rock solid in the field again. The Nats won 5-2.

They’ll go for the sweep today, in what looks like an enormous mismatch. Stephen Strasburg will oppose Jeremy Hefner. Game time is an absurd 12:10 p.m. and you can find the game on the MASN.

Padres @ Giants (3:45). Can the Freaky Franchise continue his 2^nd half resurgence? Is Jason Marquis a mediocre pitcher, benefiting from pitching in the NL West? Find out today, LIVE, from San Francisco!!!!