After a winning season and a playoff appearance 17 years in the making, the last thing I thought I would read on Sunday was the decision by the Miami Marlins to part ways with Michael Hill. After almost two
decades with the organization, Hill and team CEO have now filed for separation. The work the two have done together to build a new and improved baseball team appears to be complete.
While it was once thought that Hill, the team’s president of baseball operations, would stick around long enough for the transition of ownership to be complete, his input the past three seasons has helped to build the Marlins into a model franchise of the future.
And judging by what has been written about the conversations between the two men, it’s hard to get a feel for whether this is a good move for a young baseball team or will Jeter miscalculate the importance of having Hill as part of his inner circle.
“I had to approach this as a new negotiation,” Jeter said via ESPN and the Associated Press. “We had conversations over the last week or so, and I just felt it would be best for the organization at this particular time to move on without Mike.”
It’s a move that will test how strong the Jeter plan for the Marlins really is. It also means the search to replace Hill would receive plenty of scrutiny by the local and national media. And in some fashion, will find it’s way back to the potential of a potential former New York Yankees executive or employee finding his way into the Marlins front office.
The connection between Jeter and Gotham is never out of reach.
The Marlins were one of the best stories of the shortened MLB season, winning 31 games, making the playoffs and beating the Chicago Cubs before bowing out to the Atlanta Braves in the divisional round.
The threat of COVID-19 slowed their season down. They used multiple rookies to play consistent baseball and the efforts of manager Don Mattingly won him the Sporting News Manager of the Year Award.
For once in many moons it has become cool to be a Marlins fan.
Jeter and whomever assumes the role that was occupied by Hill have some decisions to make this offseason. Now that the Marlins have appeared to come full circle, there is no taking the foot off the gas. Top prospects helped this team in grander fashion than expected. A host of veterans will fight for
space on the roster.
And who knows how MLB and the MLBPA will work out their differences this offseason.
“We have a lot of smart baseball minds in our organization, and there are smart baseball minds around the game,” Jeter added. “We’re going to sit down and see what type of person we need in this role.”
If it were me, I would have done everything I could to keep Hill on staff. His talent and experience is too valuable in this situation. Dealing with Hot Stove and then free agency is where the Marlins helped their
roster the most in 2020. It figures to be an interesting 2021 with the possibility of Miami looking to buy more than sell for this organization.
I just wish Hill was part of the plan at least one more season.
