leaping into the rotation right away along with newly called up prized prospect Chris Volstad. In addition, the Marlins sent two players, Hanley Ramírez, who started the game at shortstop, and reserve Dan Uggla to the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. The Marlins signed Hanley Ramírez to a 6-year, $70 million deal, making him the richest Marlin in history. The team struggled in the month of August, when they went 11–16 due to lack of the offense they had in the early part of the season. In September, the Marlins rallied with a nine-game winning streak, tying the franchise record, thanks in part to prized prospect, Cameron Maybin. However they lost four straight afterwards and were eliminated from playoff contention, although but they did manage to eliminate the New York Mets for the second consecutive season on the final day, winning the final game at Shea Stadium, 4–2. The team finished with a franchise record for most home runs in a season at 208. Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramírez and Jorge Cantú made MLB history by becoming the first foursome of infielders to hit at least 25 homers in a season. Just a day after the World Series concluded, the Marlins began wheeling and dealing. They traded first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Royals for reliever Leo Núñez, who the Marlins hoped could become a setup-man in late innings. A few weeks later, the Marlins traded power hitting outfielder Josh Willingham and southpaw Scott Olsen to the Nationals for utility player Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers. Soon after the Marlins traded closer Kevin Gregg to the Cubs for relief prospect José Ceda. 2009: Falling short A few weeks before the regular season, the Florida Marlins' 15-year quest for a permanent home became a reality by agreeing to bankroll a big share of a $634 million stadium complex to rise on the grounds of the old Orange Bowl site. The Marlins hoped to open at the new stadium on Opening Day 2012 with a new name of Miami Marlins. The Marlins kicked off the new season with the youngest team in baseball and with the lowest payroll for the fourth consecutive season. New leadoff man Emilio Bonifacio stole the show on Opening Day. He hit the first Opening Day inside-the-park home run since Carl Yastrzemski did it for the Boston Red Sox in 1968 and had three stolen