In an unexpected development, Derek Jeter today resigned as CEO of the Miami Marlins and will also sell his 4% ownership stake in the team.
Jeter, who joined the Marlins' organization late in 2017, evidently had differences with principal owner Bruce Sherman who reportedly reneged on spending an addition $15 million on player acquisitions. The Marlins did sign Avisail Garcia to a 4-year, $53 million deal and acquired second baseman Joey Wendle from the Tampa Bay Rays and Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
At this point, Jeter's greatest legacy to the Marlins is his decision to hire Kim Ng as the team's GM after the 2020 season. Ng is the first woman to become a GM in any of the four major professional sports. Jeter knew Ng from his days with the New York Yankees when she served as the club's Assistant GM from 1998 to 2000. I was delighted when Jeter hired her though I thought that she should have been a GM at least 15 years ago.
In the long run, I think Jeter will regret his decision because I don't think the Marlins are that far from becoming a champion however modest their payroll. While a lockout could curtail if not cancel the entire 2022 season, when MLB does resume it will likely be with an expanded post-season format. While this might dilute the quality of the post-season it does help teams like the Marlins.
If the Marlins should win the World Series in a shortened 2022 season or a full 2023 season, Jeter is going to kick himself because he will not be around to see the glory.
With that said, Jeter can write his own ticket. I'm sure there's a spot for him with the New York Yankees if he wants it. I'm also sure he has other interests. But baseball is part of Derek Jeter's core and winning a World Series with an organization from the ground up is something special. The Marlins have a chance to win a championship but now Jeter has inexplicably decided to take his ball and go home.
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