Originally Posted by MLB.com

JUPITER, Fla. -- Looking to build upon the successes of a year ago, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is optimistic the franchise can take major steps forward on and off the field in 2007.

New manager Fredi Gonzalez takes over a team that finished 78-84 with a roster populated predominantly by rookies in 2006. There is a quiet optimism around the club, which features some of the most exciting young players in the league.

Loria also is pleased with the progress being made on another front, the franchise's lengthy quest to secure funding for a new retractable-roof stadium. Support is building in the Florida Legislature to award a $60 million sales tax rebate for a proposed 37,000-seat stadium in downtown Miami.

"I think this is going to be a fun year for Marlins fans," Loria said. "I'm excited about this group of young players. Essentially, this is the team we had last year, and they've had a year of experience to grow. You can sense it, you can feel it, that they are hungry and they play with a lot of joy and enthusiasm. Frankly, that's what makes this team fun to watch."

The Marlins haven't said much publicly about their stadium push.

On the subject, Loria said: "I'm very optimistic, and that's really all I can say. I'm optimistic, and we'll see what happens."

While he hasn't been at Marlins camp before Saturday, Loria has been in constant contact the front office and with Gonzalez, as the two talk several times a week.

"If he has a question, he calls me. If I have something I want to talk about, I call him," Loria said. "There is a tremendous amount of communication with Fredi and everyone else. That's what organizations are supposed to be about. And we do a good job with that."

Regarding the dismissal of former manager Joe Girardi, Loria said: "I moved on. It's history. Most people that I came in contact with approached it the same way I did, it's yesterday's news. It happened. It's done. We moved on."

In Gonzalez, Loria said he has a manager whose "time has come."

"I met this man a while ago, and he's terrific," Loria said. "He's from Miami. He's an exciting young guy. He's very level headed, and we're very pleased to have him on board."

What stood out in early meetings with Gonzalez?

"His straight forwardness," Loria said. "I met him a year ago. I was very impressed. When the time came for us to do something, he was our No. 1 choice. Fredi's time has come. We wish him a lot of good luck. He's got some talented young players. We're glad he's here.

"Fredi has been terrific. He's got a great baseball mind. He's an interesting young man. He's dedicated and he relates very well to these players. Having been in the Marlins organization, he's had that managerial experience [at the Minor League level]. We couldn't be happier."

With the stadium situation unsettled, the Marlins payroll again will be the lowest in the league.

It is widely believed that without the security of a new stadium, the Marlins won't be able to retain Dontrelle Willis ($6.45 million) and Miguel Cabrera ($7.4 million) when they are eligible to become free agents after the 2009 season.

"They're the two guys that were there when we won in '03," Loria said of the Marlins' 2003 championship season. "For me, they're the ones to show the younger players the way to get there. They set the examples. They were young leaders, but now they're on the stage, it's their spotlight and they're gong to show a number of these guys. Miguel is talking about he thinks we can do some pretty good things this year."

Asked if both superstars will remain with the team all year, Loria said he never makes such guarantees.

"I never answer those type of questions," Loria said. "Our players are terrific players, and we just have to do what's good for the franchise."