Mega-million-dollar matchup today

JUPITER, Fla. - Alert Fort Knox. Over a half a billion dollars will square off in the bottom of the first inning today when Marlins star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton faces Nationals ace Max Scherzer. The Nationals, of course, signed Scherzer to a stunning seven-year, $210 million contract in January. Two months before, the Marlins broke the bank by inking the 25-year-old Stanton to a record 13-year, $325 million deal.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is here at Roger Dean Stadium to check in on the Marlins and Nationals on a tour of spring training camps. I asked him what the two enormous contracts mean to the state of the game.

"Well, it is an astounding set of numbers," Manfred said as his face lit up. "I'll give you that. I think that numbers like that on player contracts, I see as a reflection of the health of the game in terms of the revenues that are generated. Obviously, players get paid that because it's consistent with the revenues that are being generated in the game, so I see it as a sign of health."

Talking in the dugout this morning, I caught manager Matt Williams by a bit of surprise when I informed him of the staggering money, and math, involved in today's matchup.

"Yeah, I hadn't thought about it," Williams said with a laugh. "And two pretty special players, too. Again, it's a testament to the health of our game globally. I know that Rob and everybody involved works very hard at that to make sure the game's growing and the fans want to come watch. If these guys weren't good, they wouldn't be making that kind of money. That'll be a fun thing to think about. Thanks for reminding me of that."

No problem, skip.

Part of Manfred's plan since officially becoming the 10th commissioner in Major League Baseball history is to increase the marketability and visibility of the game's stars. He's previously mentioned players like Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, Angels phenom Mike Trout and Stanton - good character stars whose stories need to be promoted at a much higher level. I asked him what Nationals player he identifies as a potential face of the game of baseball.

"Obviously, Bryce Harper's been a guy," Manfred said. "He is of interest to people because he got to the big leagues at such a young age. He's an example of a player who actually had profile before he became a professional and those are the kind of guys that we need to work with to help continue that growth in their profile."

Speaking of Harper, Williams addressed whether the 22-year-old is a candidate to replace the ailing Denard Span in center field.

"Bryce can play there in a pinch," Williams said. "He's played there. He's done it well. On the surface of it, my thought is to leave him in right. Let him go. Let him hit and not move him around too much and put too much in his head. But, of course, if we've got many potentials - tough righty matchup or somebody gets banged or gets hit with a pitch - he can always play there and he'll step right in and do it for us."

Besides finding a replacement for Span in center, Williams also now needs a new leadoff hitter - for potentially the first month of the season and maybe longer. Anthony Rendon, Nate McLouth and Michael A. Taylor are possibilities, the manager said.

"Depending on our pitcher that we're facing," Williams said. "We have a number of guys, good guys that have the ability to get on base for us and set our lineup in motion."

Taylor is in the leadoff spot today while playing center field. He primarily hit in the leadoff spot in the minors. Williams had slotted Rendon at the top of the lineup in the two games since Span's been out.