MLB Notebook | New ballpark spurred Ramirez deal

MIAMI — A new ballpark. A star player with a long-term contract.

Times are changing for the Florida Marlins.

The Marlins formally announced the $70 million, six-year contract extension of shortstop Hanley Ramirez at the site of their future ballpark Saturday, a sign of stability for a team that has been repeatedly dismantled. The ballpark, plans for which are still being finalized, is expected to substantially increase revenue for a franchise with a history of poor attendance and tight budgets.

"Today we're taking not one, but two giant steps forward," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said. "The first is that by standing here on this very site we reaffirmed the vision of our city and county leaders to guarantee Major League Baseball stays here in South Florida ... and we have one of the greatest young players ever to wear a Marlins uniform."

About 250 fans, city and county leaders cheered Ramirez and the Marlins on the ground where the stadium is expected to open in 2011. The Marlins — and Ramirez — couldn't wait that long to start securing their future.

"You never expect something like this will happen one day," said Ramirez, whose family and friends attended the announcement. "That's why you work so hard when you're a little kid. I'm just so happy, happy that I can be with the Marlins when this stadium opens."

Loria said plans are to break ground on the ballpark in November or December at the site where the famed Orange Bowl stadium has been reduced to rubble.

In February, the Marlins reached an agreement to build a long-sought, retractable-roof stadium at the site.

Ramirez's contract, the first major deal given to a player for the soon-to-be renamed Miami Marlins, is the kind of change the Marlins have promised with a new stadium.

Ramirez, who is making $439,000 this season, gets $5.5 million next year, $7 million in 2010, $11 million in 2011, $15 million in 2012, $15.5 million in 2013 and $16 million in 2014.

Notes

• Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees third baseman, went 1 for 4 with a solo homer in his first extended spring-training game in St. Petersburg, Fla. It was his first game since being sidelined by a strained right quadriceps April 28.

• Dodgers RHP Brad Penny was scratched from today's start in Anaheim because of arm stiffness. RHP Derek Lowe will move up a spot in the rotation to replace him.

• Closer Joakim Soria and the Kansas City Royals agreed to an $8.75 million, three-year contract extension, a deal that includes three club options that could raise the value to about $32.75 million.

• First baseman Michael Aubrey, a former first-round draft pick, was called up by the Cleveland Indians. Left-handed starter Jeremy Sowers was sent to Class AAA Buffalo.