Offishial News: Still manager-less, Marlins head to GM Meetings

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes a preview of imminent Marlins transactions.

On Sunday in the Dominican Winter League, RF Jesús Sánchez went 1-for-5. 1B Troy Johnston singled to extend his hit streak to 13 games. DH Deyvison De Los Santos has now recorded multiple hits in four straight starts (9-for-17 overall during that span). RF Vidal Bruján went 1-for-4.

 

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 More transactions are coming today! It is the deadline for players on the 60-day injured list to be reinstated. For the Marlins, that means Sandy Alcantara, Braxton Garrett, Jesús Luzardo, Andrew Nardi, Eury Pérez and Sixto Sánchez. Miami's 40-man roster is current at 36, so some corresponding moves are required. Also, at 5:00 p.m. ET, eligible minor leaguers will officially become free agents. Unless they get their own last-minute 40-man spots, notable Marlins who fall into that category include C Will Banfield, RHP Elvis Alvarado and RHP Luarbert Arias.

🔷 The photo of Peter Bendix used above was taken during the 2023 GM Meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was Bendix's first public appearance after being hired as Marlins president of baseball operations. This year, the event is in San Antonio, Texas, beginning tonight. Bendix's club is the only one with an ongoing managerial vacancy. After plans to hire Craig Albernaz fell through, Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough is the likeliest candidate. McCullough still has not done an in-person interview with Marlins decision-makers, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. That might have to wait until the end of the week when Bendix returns from San Antonio.

🔷 Kevin Barral added veteran swingman Jakob Junis to our series on free agent targets.

🔷 Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors explains why Jesús Luzardo ranks sixth on MLBTR's list of top offseason trade candidates: "Trading him after missing three months with a back injury certainly isn’t selling at peak value, but the Marlins can still command a good return for the left-hander."

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Gold Glove awards were announced. There were 14 first-time winners. The Royals and Michael Wacha agreed on a three-year, $51M contract extension that includes a 2028 club option (Wacha would have otherwise declined his player option and elected free agency). Decisions are due today on all MLB players who have 2025 contract options. RHP Roki Sasaki, who is regarded as Japan's most-talented pitcher, declined a contract offer from his current team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, Francys Romero reports. It's possible that Sasaki could be posted for MLB teams as soon as this offseason. If so, he would be subject to international amateur free agent restrictions due to his age, much like Shohei Ohtani was seven years earlier.

 

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Marlins podcast episodes

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[Leo Armbrister]

The Marlins manager job is probably the least desirable manager job in the major league. I just hope we can find a diamond in the rough because an obviously qualified manager candidate will not be anxious to accept this position.

[Slacker Mills]

Undesirable? Maybe. However, managerial jobs are in short supply and many coaches out there would love one of those precious jobs. While the Marlins have a s***** lineup, they have a potentially great pitching staff. That's something.

The new Marlins manager will not have to suffer the pressure of winning either. I'd like to see someone like Juan Pierre come out of the woodwork. A manager that's focused on small ball - bunting, base-stealing, and defense - would have some personnel to work with such as Edwards, Lopez, Sanoja, Myers and Serna.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

It will be fine, whoever is chosen. 

[One Regend]

To me, it does not matter what manager is chosen, as long as they're able to maintain control of the clubhouse and make the team play hard. (IE: Don't be the Chicago White Sox)

It's going to be a tank year regardless of who's chosen. And 2025 isn't going to be any better. If anything, no matter who gets chosen, they're likely to be fired whenever the team actually gets good, and replaced by an active real manager focused on winning. (Again, don't be the White Sox here.)

Either way, it's going to be a brutal next two years. Buckle up.

[1993 fan from start]

Slacker Mills  said He like to see someone like Juan Pierre come out of the woodwork. A manager.

I pick Melvin Leon Stottlemyre Jr.    if  not   Clayton McCullough or any one below 52 age

[Russell]

What exactly do the Marlins and Bendix do in the GM meetings?  Hey, I'll trade you our 35yr old middle reliever who has a salary of $5M in return for a bucket of balls & fungo bat?  Or perhaps a slap hitting C- Utlity IF "prospect?"

[Russell]

14 hours ago, Slacker Mills said:

Undesirable? Maybe. However, managerial jobs are in short supply and many coaches out there would love one of those precious jobs. While the Marlins have a s***** lineup, they have a potentially great pitching staff. That's something.

The new Marlins manager will not have to suffer the pressure of winning either. I'd like to see someone like Juan Pierre come out of the woodwork. A manager that's focused on small ball - bunting, base-stealing, and defense - would have some personnel to work with such as Edwards, Lopez, Sanoja, Myers and Serna.

"Potentially great pitching staff." What?  You have two guys coming off of TJ and the other perhaps front liner is Luzardo who was flat out bad last year prior to getting injured and negating any possible trade value.  Who are the other two, Ryan Weathers and ?  I like your optimism and hope you are close to being right but the realist in me has to disagree until actually seeing it in the regular season.

[Slacker Mills]

"Potentially" great was my description. Do I forecast that? Heck nl.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

On 11/4/2024 at 11:01 PM, Russell said:

"Potentially great pitching staff." What?  You have two guys coming off of TJ and the other perhaps front liner is Luzardo who was flat out bad last year prior to getting injured and negating any possible trade value.  Who are the other two, Ryan Weathers and ?  I like your optimism and hope you are close to being right but the realist in me has to disagree until actually seeing it in the regular season.

Things are often counterintuitive in baseball. The Marlins will be (magic word here) competitive much quicker than the drones think and they hate it because the improvements will require effort and knowledge - not simply throwing $300 million at the wall and hoping it works. 

[One Regend]

On 11/6/2024 at 9:19 AM, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

Things are often counterintuitive in baseball. The Marlins will be (magic word here) competitive much quicker than the drones think and they hate it because the improvements will require effort and knowledge - not simply throwing $300 million at the wall and hoping it works. 

Basically this. I'd rather have a couple stinker years like this past year and probably next year (I can also see us losing 100+ games next year) and then play in the playoffs the next few years after, than perenially hang around slightly under .500 accomplishing exactly nothing every year like we had been from 2004-2017. At least with this game plan, we have a chance to stumble into a World Series championship.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

On 11/7/2024 at 2:11 PM, One Regend said:

Basically this. I'd rather have a couple stinker years like this past year and probably next year (I can also see us losing 100+ games next year) and then play in the playoffs the next few years after, than perenially hang around slightly under .500 accomplishing exactly nothing every year like we had been from 2004-2017. At least with this game plan, we have a chance to stumble into a World Series championship.

Oh, yes. I think that is the approach our fans should take. We can't simply recharge like many teams do, year in and year out. At least not now while the developmental side is subpar. I agree with Samson that low-revenue teams are all about hitting the opportunity window. That takes talent up and down the organization, and a commitment to the strategy long-term. I also think your right about a title run. It's a crapshoot - who is hot, who can keep injuries down, and the nebulous "chemistry" we hear about all the time. I saw it with the Nationals in 2019 - we can do the same, no doubt in my mind - especially with the pitching possibilities.