But they are, in effect, without a plan on how to finance it or build it. Baseball, and commissioner Bud Selig, are putting the heat on. Selig has said the team could be relocated, or even disbanded, without an agreement for a new stadium. Selig's pronouncements are being taken seriously in Florida and have folks in places like Portland, Ore., Las Vegas and Northern Virginia salivating at the relocation possibilities. Still, it's not over yet in South Florida.
Politicians already are busy scrambling.
Gov. Jeb Bush is getting on board. There is now talk of a tax referendum for the city of Miami in July. But things are mighty glum. No one knows it better than Johnson, who helped lead the Marlins to their 1997 World Series win and returned this offseason as one of the biggest free-agent catches in the game. Johnson has a huge personal stake in the stadium deal.