Offishial news, 1/4/24: Business operations promotions; still in "listening mode"

Here's what you should know with 84 days to go until Marlins Opening Day...

• Wednesday’s winter ball notes: In the Dominican Republic, 3B Vidal Bruján went 2-for-4. His team, Estrellas Orientales, has now won five of their first six postseason games as they inch closer to the LIDOM championship and a Caribbean Series berth. Marlins coaches Luis Urueta and Wellington Cepeda, who both work for Gigantes del Cibao, won LIDOM's GM of the Year and Manager of the Year awards, respectively.

• Venezuelan outfielder Luis Cova is in agreement with the Marlins on an international free agent deal. He's eligible to sign on January 15. Cova is 27th on Ben Badler's international bonus board at Baseball America, implying a bonus well above $1M (my best guess is $1.4M). I expect him to rank in the top 15 when we next update our Fish On First Top 30 prospects list.

• Jeff Passan of ESPN describes the Marlins as being in "listening mode" regarding every player with the exception of Eury Pérez. Passan estimates that Jesús Luzardo has the highest trade value among Miami's non-Pérez assets—I think that's stating the obvious given his combination of production, salary and club-controlled years. In case you missed it, FOF's most-read article of 2024 thus far is from Alex Carver, citing three Luzardo trade proposals.

• The Marlins promoted Tiago Pinto to chief marketing officer and Robert Gelman to vice president, head of partnership development and strategy. Also, Sara Sanchez has been hired as vice president of human resources.

• Ryan Jensen remains in DFA limbo. We should have clarity about his status by the end of this week.

• Elsewhere around baseball, Korean reliever Woo-Suk Go (2/$4.5M) signed with the Padres.

• With 109 BBWAA ballots entered into Ryan Thibodaux’s Hall of Fame tracker, former Marlin Gary Sheffield has received 74.3% of the vote (needs 75.0% for election). I’ll continue updating his status in Offishial News as more ballots come in.

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