Manager choice will say a lot about 2023 Miami Marlins plans

Whoever the Miami Marlins choose as their next manager could say plenty about the club’s direction heading into 2023.

It’s a long way until Opening Day for the 2023 Miami Marlins.

A long way to go, with a to-do list seemingly a mile long for a team that massively underachieved in 2022. At least, they underachieved relative to ownership expectations. Whether this team was capable of coming close to meeting them even without the avalanche of injuries they faced is a fair question. Bottom-line, plenty of change is coming for this roster. One thing is certain though. Whomever the Marlins choose to be their new manager could say a lot about the kind of changes fans should expect.

Then again, it could say nothing. It all starts with whether the new skipper is a first-timer or a veteran.

Why the distinction? Because a veteran signing is an all-or-nothing proposition. Names like Bruce Bochy, Joe Maddon, and even Joe Girardi don’t exactly need the money. Maddon has already been reported as being scheduled to interview with Miami. Neither he, or any other seasoned candidate with a World Series title to their name, is going to be taking on a new job that could shortly turn into a rebuild. That kind of manager is only signing here if they have been promised Miami’s best shot at fielding a playoff team in 2023. Such a promise would almost certainly include a big splash in free agency to bolster the offense.

Now, if it’s a fresh face that takes the helm, that doesn’t necessarily eliminate the possibility of an aggressive offseason. Girardi and Maddon are unemployed for a reason after all. However, hiring a younger and unproven manager does afford the Marlins the opportunity to allow that manager to grow into the role over time. To develop on the job as the team develops, and to be much more likely to be willing to pivot into playing the part of teacher for a bevy of prospects if the front office does decide to hit the reset button. That, or the most likely path based on franchise history, which would be some kind of poorly conceived attempt to split the difference.

At the end of the day, a veteran manager is going to want a concrete blueprint to contend. Whereas a first timer is ultimately just going to be happy for the opportunity to live in Miami while being paid enough to enjoy it, and go along with whatever plan the organization throws out.

Again, a lot can happen between now and Opening Day 2023. But that doesn’t mean that a decision made in the next few weeks won’t speak volumes about kind of offseason moves Miami Marlins fans should expect.