Jeter remains mum on Stanton’s status
Derek Jeter and new principal Marlins owner Bruce Sherman held a 30-minute news conference Tuesday to discuss their investment group’s $1.2 billion purchase. Jeter shed no light on an anticipated roster shakeup following the team’s eighth consecutive losing season, the longest streak in the majors, but said he’ll rely heavily this offseason on president of baseball operations Michael Hill.
“I’m not coming in here thinking I know everything about team ownership. I do not,” Jeter said. “One thing I’m good at is knowing what I do not know. I surround myself with people who are much smarter than I am.”
Jeter wouldn’t address the future of Giancarlo Stanton, the major-league home run and RBI champion. Stanton’s salary will nearly double next year to $25 million, which could make him unaffordable for the revenue challenged franchise.
Former owner Jeffrey Loria became widely unpopular because his frugality led to constant roster turnover and lots of losing. Jeter acknowledged speculation that another payroll purge looms.
“I don’t like the word teardown,” Jeter said. “Moving forward, there are going to at times be unpopular decisions we make. We have a plan, but at the same time, we have to have patience.” Bautista a free agent: The Blue Jays will decline their mutual option on outfielder Jose Bautista, general manager Ross Atkins said in a season-ending news conference.
Bautista signed a one-year, $18 million contract to return to Toronto in 2017. That deal included a $17 million option for 2018, with a $500,000 buyout, and a $20 million option for 2019.
Bautista hit .203 with 23 homers and 65 RBIs, setting a Toronto season record with a career-worst 170 strikeouts. Coaching changes: Two days after Terry Collins resigned as manager, the Mets announced that longtime pitching coach Dan Warthen will not return in that role next year but was offered another job in the organization. Also, longtime head trainer Ray Ramirez won’t be back in 2018 . ... The Cardinals said pitching coach Derek Lilliquist and bullpen coach Blaise Ilsley will not return in 2018. Briefly: Houston manager A.J. Hinch said right-hander Justin Verlander will start for the Astros against Boston left-hander Chris Sale in Thursday’s AL Division Series opener . ... In the other ALDS, Cleveland manager chose Trevor Bauer over Corey Kluber to start the opener . ... There were 626 uses of the 10-day disabled list this season, up from 512 placements on the 15-day DL last season, according to the commissioner’s office.