Marlins extend key front office personnel through 2021 season

According to Craig Mish on the latest Swings and Mishes episode, the Marlins have extended “virtually all of [their] top-level front office staff” through the 2021 season. CEO Derek Jeter approved the new contracts on the recommendation of president of baseball operations Michael Hill.

Mish only confirmed assistant general manager Brian Chattin by name, but said that the same is true for many other publicly listed employees. Vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo and major league director of player personnel Dan Greenlee are among the executives who have reportedly had loud voices in the decision-making process during the two-plus years since the ownership change.

It’s been a refreshingly drama-free and encouraging winter for the Fish. Pending another bullpen addition—free agent right-hander Pedro Strop could be selecting his next team as soon as this weekend—they have fortified all of last year’s roster weaknesses, and have done so in a way that protects their top prospects and maintains long-term payroll flexibility.

Earlier this month, I advocated on Fish Bites for the Marlins to extend Hill to ensure continuity within the baseball ops department.

However, Mish says Hill is still entering 2020 on an expiring deal—“at the end of the year or maybe even sooner,” he is expected to officially sign up to stick around, but his status will be partially subject to the team’s performance on the field. The Marlins cannot have a repeat of last season’s 57-105 record and minus-193 run differential. Mish also wonders aloud whether Hill was paid above market rate by Jeffrey Loria and if new ownership will attempt to reduce his salary in exchange for job security (as they did when extending manager Don Mattingly).

The full Swings and Mishes episode, which includes an interview with fast-rising outfield prospect Peyton Burdick, is embedded below and available across all podcast platforms.