Offishial News: Marlins finally getting 'close' to deciding on next manager

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes our guide to this weekend's winter ball tournament at loanDepot park.

On Wednesday out in the desert, Brandon White (0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 35 pitches/20 strikes) couldn't complete the first inning, largely because he was betrayed by the defense behind him. Dalvy Rosario went 0-for-3. The Peoria Javelinas lost, 8-1, committing six errors along the way.

In the Dominican Winter League, Jesús Sánchez went 0-for-2, Deyvison De Los Santos went 0-for-4 and played third base, Vidal Bruján went 0-for-4 with a walk and Troy Johnston went 0-for-2.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 At the GM Meetings, Peter Bendix indicated that the Marlins are nearly done with their managerial search, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi and the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald added that Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough completed his in-person interview already, so feels like we're just waiting for McCullough to formally accept the position. It's frankly unclear who else they would pivot to if he turns them down.

🔷 The following Marlins minor leaguers reached the end of their contracts and elected free agency on Monday: RHP Delvis Alegre, RHP Elvis Alvarado, C Will Banfield, RHP Justin Evans, OF Diego Infante, RHP Yeuris Jimenez, RHP Angel Macuare, RHP Robinson Martinez, LHP Luis Palacios, RHP Edgar Sánchez and RHP Raffi Vizcaino. The organization also released RHP Angel Hernández, OF José Made and RHP Juan Ortega. In the aftermath of these moves, Nick Fortes is the only member of the Marlins' 2018 draft class who is still around.

🔷 Baseball America updated their ranking of the top 10 Marlins prospects for 2025. Unsurprisingly, LHP Thomas White is No. 1. Most notably, BA has OF Luis Cova ranked fourth, OF Jakob Marsee ranked 10th and 1B Deyvison De Los Santos excluded. To me, that shows they heavily prioritize plate discipline when projecting how these players will fare in the majors.

🔷 A former Marlins top prospect himself, Sixto Sánchez has fallen far short of fulfilling his potential. Then again, so did many of the pitchers who highly regarded entering the 2021 season.

🔷 Louis Addeo-Weiss likes reliever John Brebbia as a reclamation project for the Marlins.

🔷 The inaugural Choque de Gigantes is being held at loanDepot park beginning on Friday. Here's my guide to enjoying this winter ball tournament.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, longtime Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks signed a one-year, $2.5M deal with the Angels. The Padres extended manager Mike Shildt through the 2027 season. The Padres went 93-69 in Shildt's first season at the helm, an 11-win improvement from the previous year. Shohei Ohtani underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder. He is expected to be ready for spring training.

 

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Marlins podcast episodes

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

The Marlins managerial search isn't going smoothly, it seems, but I think things will turn out just fine. I like giving someone an opportunity, as they did with Schumaker. Our own experiences follow that same pattern, that is, unnecessary worry about the reality that a "first choice" isn't available. The obligatory handwringers may have reasonable arguments, sure, but I hope the team prudently comprised a longer list than one or two guys. Of course, they did. While it's certainly optimum to have a manger and staff in place earlier rather than later, meh. I much prefer someone who loves the challenge, gets the strategy, and appreciates the opportunity over the perceived next savior in the (already highly overrated) managerial search. Accordingly, I am cool with any of the fine fellows out there that bring those characteristics to Miami, even if he is choice number seven or eight - let's get on with it!

[Slacker Mills]

All the guys linked to the Marlins job have something in common: No Managerial Experience. Nobody knows how any of them will handle the hot seat. Actually, it's barely even a warm seat in Miami, so not all that much pressure.

[Hans Herrera]

Why do I have this feeling that the new manager will be none of the names that have been mentioned this offseason? Someone like, for example, Fredi Gonzalez?

[Hans Herrera]

I hope I'm wrong, though.

[Ely Sussman]

3 hours ago, Hans Herrera said:

Why do I have this feeling that the new manager will be none of the names that have been mentioned this offseason? Someone like, for example, Fredi Gonzalez?

I know Nate Karzmer would be happy with that 😂...He is a fan of Fredi's and brought him up to me before the season even ended (and the Orioles let him go).

As far as we know, he has not been considered, but if the preferred targets continue to decline, then maybe.