What Happens Now For The Marlins?
Now that the Miami Marlins have made the biggest splash of the 2021 offseason by naming Kim NG as the team’s general manager, how does the front office follow up such a historic move?
Making the decision to bring in such a heavy hitter to the front office is just the first step in many the Marlins front office could make to let the remaining 29 MLB teams that the 2020 shortened season wasn’t a fluke and that the time is now for Miami to make a run and overtaking the Atlanta Braves as the frontrunner in the National League East.
This is still a young team with plenty of growing pains ahead of them for CEO Derek Jeter, NG and NL Manager of the Year Don Mattingly to navigate through before the first pitch is thrown at the end of March.
“We are truly a fortunate organization to have someone with 30 years of experience, with three Major League teams and the past nine years with Major League Baseball.” The team’s majority owner, Bruce Sherman said via MLB.com. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified for the position than Kim.”
That’s a good thing since all eyes on this wide baseball landscape is now focused on NG and what goes on in South Florida this coming summer. While the need for depth is still an issue for this roster and the sports world is still dealing with issues related to COVID-19, NG jumps into a situation where forward progress is not only wanted, it is needed as well.
Jeter and former president of baseball operations Michael Hill did set this organization up for success at each level in the present and the future.
There are still questions about the infield at second base. The catcher position is one to watch in Spring Training. Does Jorge Alfaro get another chance to show he can hit for average and power and work from the dish as a reliable defensive backstop? Injuries are still a concern.
The Marlins want to keep their payroll around $100 million for the season. Jeter and the front office have already picked up outfielder Starlin Marte’s option and will be part of this roster in 2021. The team may want to ink Brian Anderson to a long-term deal, however that might not happen this season.
Because of the depth in the minors, there could be another shakeup with the roster because young talent the team used this past season has shown it is ready to assume a bigger role this year. A trade or two could help yield more arms for the bullpen. The top three positions in the rotation are set.
These are moves NG will need to consider as soon as she moves into her new office. One thing you won’t see the Marlins do this offseason is jump into the deep end and bidding war on some of the high-priced free agents who are looking for big paydays and new locations to play ball in 2021.
“When I first reached out to Kim, through our first couple of conversations, it became evident to both of us that this was a perfect fit,” Jeter said. “We couldn’t be more excited to have her experience and leadership lead us down our path to sustained success.”
