With the Miami Marlins arguably in their best position to contend since 2017, Derek Jeter is suddenly stepping down as team CEO.
And just like that, Derek Jeter is out as Miami Marlins CEO.
On a morning where the baseball world waits to see whether or not the league and the players union will hammer out a new CBA by tonight’s deadline, the news came out of nowhere. Still, multiple sources have now confirmed, with Craig Mish first reporting. The former New York Yankees star and far and away the most public face of this Marlins ownership group is stepping down from his baseball duties.
So what are Miami Marlins fans to make of this?
For starters, Jeter is no longer a part of that ownership group. That would seem to put a lot more spotlight on majority owner Bruce Sherman and general manager Kim Ng. That will perhaps be the most fascinating aspect of this to see, if Ng’s role does expand in a noticeable to the naked eye way.
When hired, much was made of Marlins’ personnel decisions happening as a committee, with multiple voices being heard. Jeter was one of those voices, and now presumably isn’t. On the other hand, player development head Gary Denbo was handpicked by Jeter for that role, and both Denbo and Jeter had familiarity with Ng due to their New York Yankees ties. So it’s also possible the voice from the Marlins front office will sound the same as it has since the Jeter/Sherman group first took over in 2018.
Then again, baseball is sort of being torn asunder at present. Maybe this does signify a rift between Jeter and Sherman, or Jeter and MLB. Maybe Jeter is also just really tired of the lockout, or has just given a very public warning that this lockout won’t be ending anytime soon. Or on a happier note, maybe Jeter feels this Marlins rebuild is completed, and his work is done.
Whatever the reason is, it will come to light in due time. For now, Miami Marlins fans would do well to remember that it’s not as if the Hall of Famer was the starting shortstop. All of Miami’s pieces are still in place for a big year in 2022. Even if it will now take place with a new “Captain” running things behind the scenes.