Jeter: Marlins expect to have some fans in ballpark in 2021
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter spoke Tuesday on the team’s in-house Hot Stove radio show ahead of Wednesday’s nontender deadline.
Here were some of the highlights:
While nothing is finalized yet, Jeter said the Marlins are anticipating that fans will be allowed into Marlins Park for the 2021 season. “You look at the postseason there and the World Series and the NLCS last year,” Jeter said.
“MLB, they introduced fans back in the ballpark, so we are preparing for that but we’re going to make sure that when they do enter the ballpark that they’re very comfortable with health and safety protocols.”
●On how the roster in 2021 will be different as they balancing improving the roster through outside acquisitions and giving prospects opportunities: “Well, I think it’s kind of a tricky situation because when we got here, we said that we had our plan. We were going to build our minor-league system, which we have done. And ultimately we have a lot of guys who are at the upper levels of the minor-league system. You have to give them an opportunity, and you have to give them their chance to show that they can play at the major league level. ... We have to make some decisions.”
●On the rule changes from last season (the universal designated hitter, three-batter minimum for pitchers and runner on second base in extra in
nings): “I’m coming from the American League, so I like the DH. And I say this respectfully to most pitchers — I can’t say all pitchers — but I’d rather watch a DH hit than some of the pitchers.
“The three-batter minimum, I actually like it. I think if you’re at the major-league level, you should be able to get three guys out and should be able to face three guys, so I like that. And extra innings, I think, was very exciting for the fans.
“From all the feedback that we’ve gotten they really enjoyed the extra innings, and the different strategy that teams are using whether you’re at home or on the road, so I actually liked all those three of those rule changes.”
AID TO MINOR-LEAGUERS
Major-league baseball
players are giving $500,000 to support minor-leaguers whose season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Major League Baseball Players Association said Tuesday that money will be donated through the Major League Baseball Players Trust to More Than Baseball, a not-forprofit that benefits minor leaguers.
The big league season was cut from 162 games to 60 because of the pandemic, causing a prorated reduction in pay. Minor league schedules were wiped out, and big league teams gave players with minor league contracts $400 weekly stipends through May 31; many teams extended the stipends through the summer.
ELSEWHERE
White Sox: Manager ●
Tony La Russa plans to change his plea to misdemeanor charges stemming from his drunken driving arrest nine months ago on a freeway in Phoenix. The Hall of Fame manager, who had previously pleaded not guilty to the two drunken driving charges, is scheduled to change his plea on Dec. 21 in Maricopa County Justice Court.
Dodgers: Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda has been moved out of intensive care, although he remains hospitalized in Southern California. Dodgers spokesman Steve Brener said that the 93-year-old former manager is doing rehab at the hospital in Orange County. Lasorda has been hospitalized since Nov. 8, although the team didn’t make it public until a week later.
Indians: Rookie re
● liever Cam Hill underwent surgery on his right wrist after being involved in a car accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hill shared details of the incident on his Instagram account, saying he was “very blessed to only bang up my wrist. Surgery went really well, most importantly the others involved in the accident were all okay.” Hill made his major-league debut with the Indians on July 26 and got his first save two days later against the Chicago White Sox. The 26-year-old went 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 18 games with Cleveland.
Mets: Right-hander
●
Trevor May agreed to deal with New York. May, 31, had a 3.86 ERA in 24 relief appearances Minnesota last season.