With new unis, Marlins signal look toward future

MIAMI -- From their new caps, logos and the name across their jerseys, the Marlins are sending a clear signal: They want to be all things Miami.
On Friday, the organization topped off a hectic week of rebranding by unveiling four new uniforms, with two sporting "Miami" across the front.
"This team is Miami," Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman said. "It needs to be Miami. It's a mixed culture."
• Shop for the new gear
Team representatives spread across South Florida on Friday, with players and team executives showcasing the Marlins' new logos, colors and uniforms.
The Marlins social media account sent out a short video of players modeling the new uniforms, and caps. The white home and road gray jerseys have "Miami" on the front. The altnernate black has Marlins on the front, and the alternate blue features the M logo over the heart.

On Thursday, the club released its new logos as well as its new colors, which are called Miami Blue, Midnight Black, Caliente Red and Slate Gray.
The Marlins discussed including teal, a reminder of the early years of the franchise and a color still popular with many fans.
"We want to put our own mark on the organization," Marlins chief executive officer Derek Jeter said.
Entering their second year owning the franchise, the Sherman/Jeter group is committed to building the organization from the ground up.
Late Friday afternoon, Jeter, along with pitchers Sandy Alcantara and José Ureña, attended the Marlins' annual Thanksgiving turkey distribution at Marlins Park. Club officials handed out 1,000 turkeys and trimmings for local families in need.

Urena and Alcantara wore the Marlins' new Midnight Black jerseys with "Marlins" scripted across the front.
"The people love it, especially the players," Jeter said. "We're really excited about it. A lot of time and effort went into it. It's a thoughtful process with a lot of input from our fans. Obviously, we've added that to what we have seen, and what we think Miami represents. I think we did a good job."
Alcantara, one of the promising rookies in the organization, projects to be part of the core of the Marlins' future.
"I love it," Alcantara said. "It's amazing. I can't wait for 2019. I like the colors on the shirt. We didn't have them last year. I look forward to having them this year."
• The Marlins' brand-new uniforms look like Miami at night
That new logo and uniforms are part of a rebranding process that also includes several stadium enhancements at Marlins Park. Earlier in the week, the Marlins released renderings of their new Center Field Zone and Standing Room Only (SRO) social sections.
"The rebranding includes the stadium enhancements," Sherman said. "We have to get the millennials coming to the stadium. We have to get the younger people. We have to get the people in the community. We have to price the seats right. We have to engage the people, and we must really have a place that becomes an entertainment venue, and not just a baseball venue."
Urena, who projects to be Miami's Opening Day starter, broke in with the Marlins in 2015, three years after the franchise rebranded as the Miami Marlins.
"I've been through a couple of new uniforms," Urena said. "These uniforms, I'm impressed. It's for the people of the community. The people from Miami, they love it. They support us. They've been telling us how good they look. We're happy for them."
On the field, the Marlins are sticking with a plan to infuse as much young talent into the organization.
In October, they took a big step in that direction by signing Cuban outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa and his brother, Victor Mesa Jr.
"We signed an extraordinary Cuban player, Victor Victor Mesa, and his brother Victor Mesa Jr.," Sherman said. "We want to represent the community. We want to be in the community. It's the vibe of Miami. It's really special."
Jeter continues to preach patience when it comes to building a sustainable winner on the field.
"That's the plan," he said. "Look, I get it. It's a complicated history. I understand that sometimes we take the blame for what's happened here in the past. We have to prove that wrong. But there are some things that we have to do, and that's building the organization. We want to win. That's the bottom line.
"It's about 25 guys who are on our team. It's not about one particular player. It's about an entire organization. We have to take the time to build that organization."