Marlins Propose Hiring New President, Resulting in Kim Ng Leaving GM Position

The Miami Marlins were surprised by the team’s decision to hire a president of baseball operations instead of promoting general manager Kim Ng, who played a crucial role in constructing a playoff team this year, sources revealed to ESPN. This unexpected turn of events led to Ng’s departure from the organization on Monday.

Ng, 54, made history as the highest-ranking woman in a major men’s North American professional sports front office. The Marlins appointed her as general manager in November 2020, making her the first female GM in MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL history. Her contract included a mutual option for 2024. However, Marlins owner Bruce Sherman announced that the team exercised its end of the option, but Ng declined hers.

Sources confirmed that Ng was offered a contract extension, which she ultimately turned down, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

“Last week, Bruce and I discussed his plan to reshape the Baseball Operations department. In our discussions, it became apparent that we were not completely aligned on what that should look like, and I felt it best to step away,” Ng told ESPN on Tuesday. “I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Marlins family and its fans for my time in South Florida. This year was a great step forward for the organization, and I will miss working with Skip (manager Skip Schumaker) and his coaches, as well as all of the dedicated staff in baseball operations and throughout the front office. They are a very talented group, and I wish them great success in the future.”

The decision of the Marlins to prioritize hiring someone else to oversee baseball operations despite Ng’s successful tenure with the 2023 Marlins came as a surprise to fellow executives across the league. Ng’s acquisitions of third baseman Jake Burger and first baseman Josh Bell at the trade deadline bolstered the team’s weak offense and played a significant role in the Marlins’ achievement of an 84-78 record and the final wild-card spot in the National League.

Despite having a minus-57 run differential, the largest ever for a playoff team, the Marlins made substantial progress under Ng’s leadership, improving by 15 games compared to the previous season. Their playoff appearance, although short-lived with a sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card round, marked the team’s first appearance in a full season since 2003.

Ng faced various challenges during her three-year tenure with the Marlins. In February 2022, Hall of Famer Derek Jeter stepped down as CEO of the Marlins due to disagreements with Sherman regarding the direction of the franchise. Four months later, the Marlins fired vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo, citing internal conflicts.

Under Ng’s guidance, the Marlins showed signs of improvement. Left-hander Jesus Luzardo, acquired at the 2021 deadline, thrived as a reliable starter in his first full season in Miami’s rotation. Rookie Eury Perez, who debuted at just 20 years old during this year, exceeded expectations. Despite the struggles of reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, who underwent Tommy John surgery recently, the Marlins’ starting pitching remained a strength.

While the team’s offense continued to face challenges, second baseman Luis Arraez emerged as a key contributor, winning the NL batting title with a .354 average after being acquired from the Miami Marlins in exchange for right-hander Pablo Lopez during the offseason.

Although the Marlins’ free agent signings of third baseman Jean Segura and first baseman Yuli Gurriel did not pan out as expected, their replacements, Burger and Bell, played instrumental roles in the team’s success during a tight NL wild-card race.

In 53 games, Burger achieved an impressive .303/.355/.505 batting line with nine home runs, while Bell recorded a .270/.338/.480 line with 11 home runs. Burger is under team control for the next five seasons, while Bell’s contract includes an opt-out clause this winter.

“We thank Kim for her contribution during her time with our organization and wish her and her family well,” Sherman stated. “We will immediately begin a thorough and extensive search for new leadership as we plan to continue to invest in the Marlins organization both on and off the field.”

Currently, the only other open position for a head of baseball operations is with the Boston Red Sox, who dismissed chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom in September.