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Miami Marlins new ownership group could be targeting their next GM

By Michael Napoles

MADISON, WI - JUNE 24: Derek Jeter looks on during the Celebrity Foursome to benefit the American Family Children's Hospital during the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship held at University Ridge Golf Course on June 24, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - JUNE 24: Derek Jeter looks on during the Celebrity Foursome to benefit the American Family Children's Hospital during the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship held at University Ridge Golf Course on June 24, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images) /
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It appears that the incoming ownership group won’t be retaining many of the suits that make the Miami Marlins run. Could Gary Denbo be the next Marlins GM?

News that David Samson wouldn’t be coming back to the team under the new ownership group was met with a collective “hooray!”. There appears to be another name familiar to fans on the way out: General Manager Michael Hill.

The rub is that Hill is locked into a contract with Miami Marlins through 2020. Given the fluid nature of contracts in the world of professional sports, I wouldn’t expect that to get in the way of new ownership bringing in their own hire. Who might that be? On Monday, we got our first hint:

If you aren’t familiar with Gary Denbo, now might be the time to get familiar.

Denbo and Derek Jeter have a long-standing relationship that could be bringing him to South Florida. Mark Feinsand is reporting that Denbo’s name is getting a lot of circulation amongst those in the know of Major League Baseball.

Denbo has a great reputation in Major League Baseball and his relationship with Derek Jeter is well documented. The Yankees VP has held a number of different roles in his time with professional baseball. As a player, coach, scout, and now executive, Denbo has found success.

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It was as a hitting coach for the New York Yankees that he first met Derek Jeter. Since then, the two have remained in close contact. They were spotted speaking to each other during spring training in Tampa this season.

While Denbo has never held the position of General Manager before, his work with player development is impressive. Under his guidance, the Yankees became a team that developed their stars, rather than purchased them.

When the change might come

Purely conjecture at this point, nothing is believed to be in motion. Denbo is still getting regular paychecks from the New York Yankees. The belief that Derek Jeter is going to turn the Miami Marlins into “Yankees South” is fueling a lot of the Yankees personnel poaching rumors.

But this one appears to have some credibility. A General Mangers role is the natural next step for Denbo, who has taken a traditional, climb-the-ladder approach to his success. With Brian Cashman entrenched in New York, it’s reasonable to think he’d seek greener pastures elsewhere.

If/when the change comes, expect it to be as soon as the sale is approved. Jeter and his group are going to want to have things ready to go by the time December meetings roll around. The vote on the sale is expected to take place sometime in October.

There is little doubt about the outcome of the vote. The other owners want Loria out just as badly as South Florida baseball fans do.

Next: Adam Conley pitching well enough for 2018 role

Big changes are on the horizon for the Miami Marlins. Derek Jeter is expected to bring sweeping changes and install a winning culture in Miami. From players on the field to the front office, brace yourself for a shakeup.

Gary Denbo could soon be manning the market for the Miami Marlins.

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