Derek Jeter’s group closed on its $1.2 billion purchase of the Miami Marlins on Monday, and he and new controlling owner Bruce Sherman spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time at a news conference which came two days after the Marlins wrapped up their eighth consecutive losing season, the longest streak in the majors.
FOX Sports Florida on Twitter
New day for the #Miami @Marlins franchise! @GMFoxSportsFL alongside #Marlins Owner Derek Jeter after today’s press conference.
Since Jeter has assumed control of the helm, heads have already started to fly. Theres no doubt Jeter has hit the ground running and he will be making tough decisions to get the franchise back on track.
Jeter, wasted no time gutting the team’s front office. Last week he reportedly fired special assistants Andre Dawson, Tony Perez, Jack McKeon, and Jeff Conine, four of the most recognizable names in franchise history. Even more staffers were let go Friday, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:
And dont expect Jeter to get his hands or relationships dirty personally firing folks. He has a headhunter for that in Marlins president David Samson, who executes the executions for The Captain who is more a boss now, like his mentor ex-Yankees manager George Steinbrenner.
Jeter asked Samson to dismiss vice president of player development Marc DelPiano, assistant general manager Mike Berger, vice president/player personnel Jeff McAvoy and vice president/pitching development Jim Benedict. All were informed by Samson in recent days.
The Marlins have been a miserable franchise over the past decade and a half. Jeter says he has a plan to make the team winners again.
We believe in this market. We believe in the fan base, said the former Yankees shortstop. We are focused on bringing the fans back… want to build an organization that’s sustainable over time. We want to build this organization… on respect, integrity and honor.
Miami Marlins on Twitter
Derek: “To Miami, we believe in this market. We believe in the fan base.” : https://t.co/YxAcTpxPZq (: @JedJacobsohn/@PlayersTribune)
Hes already kicking that Yankees lingo and why not. It has been good for a MLB-high 27 World Championships and Jeter was personally responsible for five of them.
Slashing payroll is also a major priority for the Marlins and Jeter. Marlins super star Giancarlo Stanton and his $325 million contract may be an expendable part of the Marlins rebuild. He is three years into a 13-year contract, one that was seriously backloaded and hes still owed a whopping $285 million.
Stanton has been a monster hitting 59 homers this season, but he has said he doesn’t want to waste his peak seasons on a rebuilding Marlins squad. Hes already endured seven losing seasons and Jeter has already let it be knows that they have to strip Miamis franchise to the bone and build it again.
“We do have to rebuild the organization,” Jeter said. “It starts with player development and scouting. We will build it from top down and bottom up.”
MLB on Twitter
The next era of Marlins baseball begins now.” Derek Jeter pens a letter to his new fan base: https://t.co/WF2drLgVh4
With that being said, Jeter is noncommittal when asked about Stantons future with the team. It appears as if the slugger will be on his way out of Miami once the franchise finds a taker for his enormous contract .
Stanton said said Sunday that he will have a simple approach when it’s time to sit down with Jeter and the Marlins’ new leadership.
“I’m going to see what they got, see what the plan is, and we’ll brainstorm from there,” he said.
If anyone knows the expendable and irreplaceable aspects of a World Series squad it’s Jeter, who appears to be a no nonsense executive who will cut fat when needed and hold everyone in the organization accountable to the standards he sets.
Miami Marlins – Derek Jeter, Bruce Sherman press conference (part 2 of 3)
Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman discuss taking ownership of the Miami Marlins. http://www.foxsports.com/florida
I hope Miami is ready for Derek Jeter because he seems ready to conquer the MLB world as an executive in a silent but deadly, methodical fashion, same as he did as a player.
