Draining the Marlins dry. (Baseball).(Brief Article)

Two weeks before the start of spring training, the Marlins had no manager, no general manager and no owner. They had no idea if they would stay in Miami, relocate to another city or cease to exist in 2003. And, worst of all, in the opinion of left fielder Cliff Floyd, they had not made any significant offseason moves.

"What are we doing?" Floyd asks. "Are we playing for our stats? Do guys who are about to become free agents become selfish players now?"

The Marlins' brilliant collection of young talent was assembled by executives who now work for the Pirates and Tigers. Expos owner Jeffrey Loria is buying the team from John Henry and is set to transfer general manager Larry Beinfest, manager Jeff Torborg and other employees to the Marlins. But why should the players be loyal to anyone but themselves?

It's every man for himself in the world that commissioner Bud Selig and the owners have created. Plenty of little people--including Marlins employees who soon may be replaced by reluctant Expos counterparts--will get hurt. And the four teams threatened with elimination--the Marlins, Expos, Twins and Devil Rays--may never recover.

Floyd, 29, is eligible for free agency after this season. Only once in nine seasons with the Expos and Marlins has he played for a team that drew 2 million at home (the world champion 1997 Marlins). And he hears the excitement in the voice of his best friend, former Expos teammate Rondell White, who recently signed with the Yankees.

"After this season, I'll definitely weigh my options," Floyd says. "A lot of people in front (owners) have done what's best for them. As players, we've got to do what's best for us."

For now, Floyd remains committed to the Marlins. He spent the offseason working out five days a week with center fielder Preston Wilson and pitchers A.J. Burnett and Brad Penny. They talked extensively about maintaining their focus despite the uncertainty surrounding the team.