Miami Marlins

Former Miami Marlins president David Samson called Barry Bonds' one-year tenure as the club's hitting coach in 2016 a "complete disaster."

Samson explained Thursday during an appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (via Audacy's Jesse Pantuosco) that Bonds was pushed on the front office by former owner Jeffrey Loria and proceeded to put no effort into the role.

"He had fun as a hitting coach because he would hang out with [Giancarlo] Stanton and give Stanton some pointers. But he was ineffective, completely," Samson said. "He would sleep in the clubhouse. He would not pay attention during games. He did not work hard. It was a complete disaster."

The former Marlins president, who also worked under Loria with the Montreal Expos, noted the problems with Bonds started during the initial interview, with MLB's all-time home run leader making a steadfast demand for a $1.5 million per year contract.

"It was the worst interview I've ever been a part of," Samson said. "Bonds was an absolute pain in the ass about pay because he knew he had the job."

He added the moment that stands out most is when Bonds stormed out of the clubhouse while second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon was apologizing to the team after receiving an 80-game suspension following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

"Barry Bonds, in the middle of the clubhouse, he's standing toward the backdoor, he screams, 'This is crap!' and he walks out," Samson said on Le Batard's show. "I look at [general manager] Mike Hill and I say, 'Are you kidding me?' Like Barry Bonds just stormed out as though he can't believe one of the players did steroids? Is that really possible?"

Bonds hasn't been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame despite his worthy numbers in large part because of suspicion he used PEDs, though he never tested positive in an official MLB test.

Samson concluded "no one got better" during the 14-time All-Star's year as hitting coach.

The seven-time NL MVP retired as a player in 2007 after 22 seasons, seven with the Pittsburgh Pirates and 15 with the San Francisco Giants. He broke Hank Aaron's home run record in August 2007 and finished his career with 762 homers.

The future is now for the Miami Marlins. 

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), highly touted prospect Jazz Chisholm won the starting second base job for the National League East team and will start in Thursday's Opening Day game against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The AP noted Chisholm hit .268 with three home runs and four stolen bases during spring training and separated himself from Isan Diaz, who went just 2-for-34 and will look to work his way back in Triple-A.

"It feels great when everybody believes in you," Chisholm said after learning he made the team from manager Don Mattingly and general manager Kim Ng. "I know I already have a lot of confidence, but it gives you confidence to where it's almost cockiness."

The 23-year-old made his major league debut in September 2020 and slashed .161/.242/.321 with two home runs, six RBI and two steals in 21 games. While his numbers didn't stand out, it was important experience for the young building block that figures to aid him in a bigger role this year.

Chisholm is the No. 66 prospect in MLB.com's rankings for the 2021 campaign.

It is a testament to the Marlins' cultivation of homegrown talent that he is one of five prospects in the top 100 alongside Sixto Sanchez (No. 15), JJ Bleday (No. 20), Max Meyer (No. 28) and Edward Cabrera (No. 68).

The future is bright for an organization that made a surprising playoff run at 31-29 during the shortened 2020 campaign.

If Chisholm and the rest of the young talent live up to expectations, the Marlins will be in position to challenge in the National League East for the foreseeable future.

Jeffrey Loria, the former owner of the Miami Marlins, has agreed to pay $4.2 million in a lawsuit settlement, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). 

Per that report, the payment of $3.637 million to Miami-Dade County and $563,000 to the city of Miami "stems from the $1.2 billion sale of the team in 2017 by Loria to Derek Jeter and his ownership group. In 2009, local government agreed to help pay for the ballpark in exchange for Loria's pledge to share profits if he later sold the team."

Per that agreement, Loria owed 5 percent of his net profits from the sale of the team, though he argued he had actually lost money because of taxes. Miami-Dade County called described that argument as "fuzzy math."

The 80-year-old Loria was not a popular figure with Marlins fans during his time as owner (2002-17). The team did win the World Series in 2003, but ahead of the 2006 season, it underwent a major cost-cutting fire sale, trading away key players from that title-winning team, including Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, Mike Lowell, Juan Pierre and Josh Beckett.

The Marlins had another huge sell-off in the 2012 season and the following offseason, trading away players like Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Hanley Ramirez. Loria's Marlins had gone on a free-agent spending spree ahead of the 2012 campaign, hoping to generate buzz for their new ballpark that opened in 2012, only to blow it all up a year later. 

That didn't just enrage the fans. Then-Marlins star Giancarlo Stanton tweeted he was "pissed" after Reyes, Johnson and Buehrle were traded.

The 2003 season was the only season the Marlins reached the postseason under Loria.

The product on the field wasn't the only issue Marlins fans had with Loria. The former owner also required season-ticket holders to make three- or four-year written commitments, but when fans discovered many of the promises in the packages they purchased weren't being honored, they backed out of the agreements. 

So Loria sued them. Suffice to say, it's hard to imagine many Marlins fans are crying tears on behalf of Loria after he settled with Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami. 

The Miami Marlins apparently are not interested in free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the National League East team that "offered him an incentive-heavy contract a year ago" will look elsewhere to fill its corner outfield need. Puig did not play during the 2020 season after a reported contract with the Atlanta Braves never materialized and he announced he tested positive for COVID-19.

There has been reported interest in Puig this offseason.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported Jan. 4 that the Marlins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles had "varying levels of interest."

It wasn't that long ago Puig was one of the more reliable power hitters in baseball.

He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2013-18 and the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland in 2019 and has never failed to hit double-digit home runs in a season. He drilled 23 or more long balls in three consecutive years from 2017-19 while providing speed on the basepaths and a strong arm in right field.

Puig was an All-Star in 2014 with a .296/.382/.480 slash line, 16 home runs, 69 RBI and 11 stolen bases and has 58 playoff games on his resume from his time with the Dodgers.

Still, it is fair to wonder if his numbers would translate after a year away from the game. The Marlins will apparently look in a different direction as they hope to build on last year's playoff appearance, which was their first since 2003.

Kim Ng was amazed by the support she has received after being named general manager of the Miami Marlins, becoming the first female GM in MLB history. 

The 51-year-old discussed the impact during Monday's introductory press conference:

"The idea that it has affected this many people is just extraordinary," she said. "I thought it would be a big deal, but this is beyond my expectations and I think beyond many people's expectations."

Ng has worked in baseball for 30 years, notably working as an assistant general manager with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Most recently, she had been the senior vice president of baseball operations for MLB since 2011.

She will now be the first female and first Asian American general manager in baseball as she takes over a team that went 31-29 and reached the NLDS last season.

The Miami Marlins announced Friday they have hired Kim Ng as their new general manager, making her the first woman to be a GM in Major League Baseball history:

The 51-year-old Ng is believed to be the first female GM in any of the four major North American sports leagues.

Ng has been involved in Major League Baseball since 1990 and has acted as the senior vice president of baseball operations for the MLB commissioner's office since 2011.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi ran down Ng's impressive resume:

Ng started her MLB career in 1990 as an intern with the Chicago White Sox after playing softball at the University of Chicago. It took her just one year to become a full-time employee, and she was eventually promoted to assistant director of baseball operations.

She joined the New York Yankees in 1998 and was named assistant general manager under Brian Cashman. During her time in New York, Ng won three World Series rings.

Ng became the Los Angeles Dodgers' assistant GM in 2001 and interviewed for the general manager position in 2005. She also had future interviews with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants for their GM openings.

Now, 30 years into her MLB career, Ng is making history and taking over as GM of a team that surprisingly reached the playoffs last season.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Marlins also have a female COO in Caroline O'Connor, meaning two of the three most powerful people in the organization are women.

Jeter's familiarity with Ng likely played a role in his decision to hire her, as she was an assistant GM with the Yankees during his playing days and later worked closely with former Yankees manager Joe Torre in the commissioner's office.

Despite much of their team testing positive for COVID-19 last season, the Marlins finished second in the NL East at 31-29 and reached the playoffs. They also beat the Chicago Cubs to advance to the National League Division Series.

The Marlins boast the reigning NL Manager of the Year in Don Mattingly and a young, talented roster that should provide Ng with the solid core needed to make significant strides in 2021 and beyond.

Starling Marte has appeared in just 28 games for the Miami Marlins since they acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks in August, but the club—which made it to the postseason for the first time since 2003—liked what it saw and has chosen to exercise his $12.5 million option.

The news comes as no surprise. On Oct. 18, Marlins chief executive Derek Jeter said the team intended to pick up the 32-year-old's option, per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

Marte is currently slated to be the team's highest-paid player, with fellow outfielder Corey Dickerson slotted to make $9.5 million. Miguel Rojas is the only other Marlin who will be paid $5 million or more. Even with the hefty contract, Miami still has wiggle room to add to its roster this offseason. 

Marte, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2016 All-Star, led the majors with 61 regular-season appearances in 2020, slashing .281/.340/.430 while stealing 10 bases and hitting six home runs.

In center field, he ranked fifth leaguewide in putouts with 122 and was second only to Mike Trout in defensive runs saved, per Rotowire.  

Marte joined the Marlins in a four-player trade that sent pitcher Caleb Smith to Arizona, along with prospects Humberto Mejia and Julio Frias. He had spent just one season in Arizona, having been traded to the Diamondbacks from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team that signed him in 2007.  

The Miami Marlins are partnering with cultural and community platform UNKNWN to provide 2,000 meals at some Miami-area polling places in Liberty City and Little Havana on Election Day next week.

According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, UNKNWN is selling custom Marlins T-shirts this week at its retail store in Miami and online at both UNKWN.com and the Marlins' auction site. Sales of the shirt will benefit the Marlins' "Feed The Polls" initiative.

The Marlins are also auctioning off several items, such as customized sneakers and game-worn jerseys:

Marlins Vice President of Experience and Innovation Michael Shaw said the following about the "Feed The Polls" initiative and the Marlins' partnership with UNKWN:

"We continue to stand with our community during this critical time, recognizing that amazing things can be accomplished when we are united. We are excited to partner with UNKNWN, who shares our passion in making an impact across South Florida as we focus on social justice, racial equality and the importance of voting. This initiative will help provide healthy meals for some of our at-risk community members and hopefully remove a point of friction as voters participate on Election Day."

UNKWN was co-founded in 2011 by Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who has played a significant role in increasing voter awareness ahead of the presidential election Nov. 3.

Notably, James and his More Than A Vote organization partnered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to fight against disenfranchisement in Florida.

Specifically, More Than A Vote and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition raised funds to help Florida residents with past felony convictions pay fines and fees so they can vote in next week's election.

Now, the Marlins are raising awareness as well on the heels of one of the most successful seasons in franchise history, as they went 31-29, reached the playoffs for only the third time ever and knocked off the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series.

The Miami Marlins announced Tuesday that injured center fielder Starling Marte will not be part of their National League Division Series roster.

"We weren't comfortable with what [Marte] was going to be able to do," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, according to ESPN's Brad Doolittle.

Marte suffered a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch from Dan Winkler in Game 1 of the Marlins' National League Wild Card Series win over the Chicago Cubs.

The Marlins and Atlanta Braves will meet in Game 1 of the NLDS on Tuesday afternoon.

With Marte out, the 24-year-old Magneuris Sierra will start in center field and bat ninth.

Unlike Marte, Sierra doesn't have much big league experience. He has appeared in 110 regular-season games with the Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals since 2017, hitting .247 with zero home runs, 20 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 20 attempts.

Marte, 31, was acquired by the Marlins from the Arizona Diamondbacks at this season's trade deadline.

The Dominican Republic native was a 2016 All-Star and is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner who hit .281 with six homers, 27 RBI and 10 steals in 12 attempts in a league-high 61 games during the regular season.

He enjoyed a career year last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting .295 with 23 home runs and 82 RBI. In nine seasons, Marte owns a .287 average with 114 homers, 447 RBI and 591 runs in 1,014 games.

The absence of Marte is significant. He is a strong defender, batted second in all but one game for Miami and has the experience few others do on the young Marlins roster.

The NL East champion Braves entered the NLDS as significant favorites, and with Marte out of commission, their chances likely improved.

Slugger Jesus Aguilar will bat second for the Marlins in Game 1, and there will be increased pressure on leadoff hitter Jon Berti to set the table for the rest of the lineup as well.

Wednesday's 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of their National League Wild Card Series didn't bring all good news for the Miami Marlins. 

Center fielder Starling Marte exited the game in the top of the ninth inning when he was hit by a Dan Winkler pitch. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers, he suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left pinkie.

However, Passan wrote "There is optimism that Marte could continue playing through it."

Monte Harrison entered the game for Marte as a pinch runner and finished in center field.

He is a candidate to start Thursday's Game 2 if Marte does not play through it, although he slashed just .170/.235/.255 with one home run and three RBI in 32 games this season and is nowhere near the same offensive threat as Marte would be for the rest of the series.

Miami acquired Marte from the Arizona Diamondbacks via trade in August, and he helped stabilize its offense and lead it to the playoffs with four home runs, 13 RBI and five steals in 28 games.

He was also excellent in Arizona this year and slashed .311/.384/.443 in 33 games.

This is also the second consecutive game Marte had to leave because he was hit by a pitch. In Sunday's regular-season finale against the New York Yankees, he left after Clarke Schmidt hit him with a pitch on the brim of his helmet.

Miami will face NL Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish in Game 2, so runs may be limited if Marte cannot play.