Marlins, team president Hill part ways

The Marlins are parting ways with president of baseball operations Michael Hill, ending a tenure with the organization that has lasted 18 years.

The announcement was made by Marlins chief executive officer Derek Jeter during a conference call on Sunday morning.

Hill, whose contract expires at the end of October, oversaw the organization’s remarkable turnaround from a 57-105 season in 2019 to a postseason berth this year.

“Mike was a very important part of what we've been able to accomplish during our first three years but even more so all the time he spent with the organization prior to our arrival, as well,” Jeter said. “We wish him the best with his next endeavors. We appreciate his contributions.”

The Marlins finished the regular season with a 31-29 record and placed second in the National League East. Miami swept the Cubs in the best-of-three National League Wild Card Series before being swept in the best-of-five NL Division Series by the Braves.

“There was excitement for us to be one of the final four National League teams, and it was a great step for us as an organization to see some of the progress that we've made over the last three years,” Jeter said. “We're going to look for an individual that's going to help us continue to transform our system throughout all levels.”

Jeter said the Marlins are immediately searching for Hill’s replacement. He also announced director of player personnel Dan Greenlee has been promoted to assistant general manager, joining current assistant GM Brian Chattin. The two will oversee baseball operations on an interim basis until a new president of baseball operations is named.

Tim Naehring and Billy Eppler, both of whom have ties to Jeter through the Yankees, could be candidates to join the Marlins' front office, a source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi. The club has not confirmed that report.

Jeter said he had conversations with Hill about keeping him in place but noted that roles within the organization have been evolving.

“I had to approach this as new negotiations rather than just an extension," Jeter said. "We had conversations over the last week or so, and I just felt as though what would be best for the organization at this particular time was to move on without Mike as our head of baseball operations. … The roles and responsibilities have changed since we got here.”

In an unprecedented and unpredictable season, the Marlins reached the postseason for the first time since 2003 -- and recorded their first winning season since 2009 -- despite making 174 roster moves and using 61 players.

Because there are so many layers to the baseball operations department, Jeter said he anticipates hiring a GM/president of baseball operations. He did note the title may be the same or different, but the objective is to have someone oversee the entire department.

“We'll sit down and explain how we operate,” Jeter said. “The way we operate in this organization is very collaborative.”

The Marlins have overhauled their entire organization since the new ownership group led by Bruce Sherman and Jeter stepped in before the 2018 season. Hill retained his role at the time, making a commitment to build from the Minor Leagues on up.

That process saw the club trade away its most high-profile players, like Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and J.T. Realmuto. In return, the Marlins loaded their system with young talent. And this season, many of the top prospects began reaching the big leagues.

The Marlins now are on solid footing, with one of the game’s strongest farm systems, as well as a solid nucleus of big league players, many of whom are starting to reach their primes.

Hill had held the title of president of baseball operations since the end of the 2013 season. The 49-year-old joined the Marlins in 2002, and he was promoted to GM at the end of the 2007 season.

Hill, who speaks Spanish fluently, was one of two Black executives and one of two Hispanic executives to preside over an MLB club.

After reaching the playoffs in 2020, the Marlins will now be looking to take the next step to become a sustainable winner and contender.

Jeter added that the experience the club’s young players gained in 2020 should help in the future.

“In order for us to take the next step forward, our guys need to improve,” Jeter said.