Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
For Jeter, a mix of frustration and optimism
‘We’re trying to fix something that’s been broken,’ CEO says
MIAMI — Derek Jeter understands the irony of his feelings through the first quarter of the baseball season. The first-year Marlins CEO and part-owner has asked the fanbase to trust the rebuilding process, to remain faithful through what should be hard times.
Entering Wednesday night’s game against the Dodgers, Jeter’s Marlins were 15-26. They held the second-worst record in the National League and ranked last across baseball in scoring, home runs, slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage. They had the worst ERA in the NL.
During batting practice Wednesday, Jeter was asked how his patience was tested watching the season unfold.
“I have no patience,” Jeter said. “I’ve been preaching patience, but — I pay attention to all the little things. A lot of times, the little things are what win you games and, more importantly, the little things are what cost you some. We got to tighten some of those things up. But I also understand the fact that it’s a long season.”
The Marlins are on pace for a 103-loss season, which would be the second-worst record in franchise history. The pace is not alarming nor shocking. In the offseason, the Marlins traded away four of their five most valuable players, according to Baseball-Reference’s calculation of wins above replacement.
Giancarlo Stanton and his massive contract were shipped to the Yankees. Christian Yelich found a new home in Milwaukee. St. Louis acquired Marcell Ozuna and Seattle traded for Dee Gordon. In return, the Marlins received a group of prospects meant to transform one of the worst farm systems in baseball.
The Marlins have not had a winning season since 2009 and the team has not qualified for the playoffs since it won the World Series in 2003.
“You understand that it’s going to take time,” Jeter said. “We’re trying to fix something that’s been broken. I’ve said it over and over again, it’s a team that hasn’t made it to the postseason since 2003. We have to fix that, but I also get the sense of urgency. Everyone always tries to ask me, ‘How long will it take?’ As soon as possible.”
At one point in the last month, the Marlins won four consecutive series, sparking chatter that the team could potentially overachieve given the lowly external expectations. But the club has since lost six of the past eight games going into Wednesday.
Following Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Braves, Marlins players held a closed-door, players-only meeting.
“I heard about it, yeah,” Jeter said. “But that’s for the players. I’ve been a part of a lot of players-only meetings. That happens throughout the course of the season. There’s some things you want to happen. You want players to police themselves. Police things that go on on the field. We want them to police things that go on off the field. I’m happy anytime I hear something like that.”
The Marlins are generally an inexperienced team. Outfielders Brian Anderson and Lewis Brinson have never played a full season in the major leagues. Shortstop Miguel Rojas has never started an entire season, mostly dealt a reserve role in his previous four years.
Starting pitchers Caleb Smith, Jarlin Garcia and Elieser Hernandez entered this season with two total major league starts. Opening Day starter Jose Ureña has never anchored a pitching staff.
“I think you get frustrated just like I’m pretty sure the guys in the clubhouse are frustrated,” Jeter said. “You want them to be frustrated. You want the results to be there. At the same time, there’s optimism. I like some of the things that I’ve seen. There’s a learning curve, I think for everyone, especially when you’re a young player coming up. There is a lot of optimism.”
Jeter said he hasn’t had a chance to see many of the Marlins’ top prospects in the minor leagues. Once next month’s draft passes, he’ll be able to attend games in Jupiter, Jacksonville and New Orleans.
According to MLB.com’s prospect rankings, the top three prospects in the organization were all acquired this winter. Outfielder Monte Harrison (ranked No. 1, at Double-A Jacksonville) came from Milwaukee in the Yelich deal. Right-hander Sandy Alcantara (No. 2, Triple-A New Orleans) came from St. Louis in the Ozuna deal. Right-hander Jorge Guzman (No. 3, High-A Jupiter) came from the Yankess in the Stanton deal.
“We have the draft coming up, so after the draft is over with, then I’ll have the opportunity to go down to some of our minor league affiliates and see some of the guys we get constant, daily reports on their progress,” Jeter said. “We’re happy, we’re excited with a lot of progress of the guys we brought into the organization.”