ORLANDO, Fla. — Rob Manfred let Derek Jeter into this party, and with industry eyebrows already raised over that decision, baseball’s commissioner vouched once again Thursday for his newest team CEO.
Jeter, the Yankees’ retired captain and icon, attended his first owners meetings as the man running the Marlins under control person Bruce Sherman, who also attended. Neither man has any experience running a sports team.
“Derek Jeter is an intelligent, impressive young man,” Manfred said in a news conference. “He is really focused on making the Marlins a success. I think he’s going to bring the same kind of focus that made him a great player to the business side of the house.”
The 43-year-old faces an immediate test in the team’s apparent need to trade Giancarlo Stanton, who has 10 years and $295 million on the contract he signed with former owner Jeffrey Loria, in order to get the club’s financial house in order.
“I think it’s unfair, really, to criticize a decision — if it turns out to be the decision — to move a player who has a contract that somebody else negotiated,” Manfred said.
“New management often comes in with a different idea about how to put the best product on the field, and I hope that the fans in Miami, whatever decisions are made, give Bruce and Derek an opportunity to show what their plans for moving that franchise forward are.”
Since taking over the Marlins in early October, Sherman and Jeter have neglected to offer any grand vision — or specifics behind such a vision — beyond talks of sustainability, cleaned-up finances and a winning culture. When Jeter spoke to the media on Wednesday, he revealed that he has yet to talk with Stanton, a startling admission given Stanton’s importance to the franchise.
Jeter also received flak for dismissing beloved team advisers Jeff Conine, Andre Dawson, Jack McKeon and Tony Perez and then trying to bring them back with diminished roles and salaries. On the flip side, he scored points with his hire of Gary Denbo, who helped the Yankees rebuild their farm system, as vice president of scouting and player development.
When asked what he liked about the resolution of the Marlins’ sale, Manfred said, “I like the price ($1.2 billion). I like the new owners that we got. I like them a lot. I think they’re going to be great for Miami. Whatever little (flare-ups) there might have been along the way, every process has its issues. I think the outcome is outstanding. A strong indication of the value of our franchises.
“I think Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter are the right people to move that franchise forward.”
The outcome of that risky bet will help shape Manfred’s legacy as commissioner.