Jeff Nelson Wants to Become Miami Marlins Pitching Coach

Former New York Yankees pitcher Jeff Nelson is looking to reunite with Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter as the team’s new pitching coach.

Usually, it’s the other way around. A Major League organization seeks out their coaches and players. This time, former New York Yankees pitcher Jeff Nelson is changing things up a bit. e has openly stated he would like to reunite with former teammate Derek Jeter as the Miami Marlins new pitching coach.

The position has recently opened up as the Marlins released four coaches from manager Don Mattingly’s staff on Monday. A story in the New York Post by Mark W. Sanchez outlines Nelson’s desire to coach in south Florida.

After an MLB.com reporter suggested Nelson, an analyst for Fox Sports in Florida, could take over for the fired Juan Nieves, the former side-arming, righty-neutralizing reliever turned his endorsement into a public pitch for the job.

To further his cause, Nelson took to his Twitter account to express his interest in the coaching position.

There are others who will be considered. There was even a potential candidate proposed by our staff here at Marlin Maniac as Mets minor league pitching coach Frank Viola announced he was leaving the organization.

Per the story in the Post, “Nelson, 51, played with Jeter from 1996-2000 and came back to The Bronx in 2003, winning four World Series with the Yankees as part of a powerful bullpen anchored by Mariano Rivera. He finished his 15-year career with the White Sox in 2006.”

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The Marlins made major changes to their coaching staff this week when they released Juan Nieves (pitching), Perry Hill (first base/infield), Frank Menechino (assistant hitting) and Ty Hill (strength and conditioning). All four coaches were under contract through the 2018 season.

Whoever the Marlins sign to replace Nieves will be tasked with helping to develop a young pitching staff that could feature three rookies from last season – Sandy Alcantara, Trevor Richards and Pablo Lopez – and veteran Jose Urena. The fifth starter will be one from a handful of prospects and veteran Wei-Yin Chen.

Starter Dan Straily should also be part of the rotation if he is not traded before the start of Spring Training.

The addition of a new pitching coach and other coaches to the staff would fall in line with the changes Jeter has made since taking over ownership of the franchise.

Jeter made many changes to the front office to ensure the team would build for the future. No coaches were replaced on the Major League level last season.

The Marlins finished 2018 at 63-98.