Jeter says ‘don’t underestimate’ veteran signings as Marlins’ rebuild hits key point
For the past two years, the Miami Marlins’ focus has been building from the ground up. Feed the minor-league system with high-end prospects, and, eventually, the results will end up at the major-league level.
But as the Marlins enter a critical third season of their rebuild, CEO Derek Jeter wants to make one point clear.
Yes, the young guys are the future.
But the players who have been around the block — even if they’re only with Miami as one-year stopgaps — will play a valuable role in the team’s success for 2020 and beyond.
“Don’t underestimate the value of veteran players. Don’t ever underestimate that,” Jeter said Monday in Jupiter before the Marlins played a spring-training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. “When you’re a young player, you need veteran players around to show you what it takes to go through the grind of 162 games. You can learn from a lot of experience. You can learn from asking questions. And yeah, we brought in some veteran players. We did it last year. We did the same thing this year.”
The difference between last year’s signings and this year’s? The new influx of veterans includes players who can be mentors and steady on-field contributors to help the Marlins turn potential into wins after going 120-203 the past two years.
“You understand that with young players, there are growing pains and it takes a little time to adjust,” Jeter said. “It takes time for most players to adjust when they get to the major leagues, but still, wins and losses are important. That’s how organizations are judged. Bottom line. I could sit here and talk about what we’re building in the minor-league system all I want, but fans especially are going to say ‘Well, how many games did you win?’ There are steps along the way.”
These veteran signings are part of those steps. The Marlins signed or traded for seven players who will make up $25.275 million of their payroll should they be on the Opening Day roster.
Corey Dickerson, the first free agent whom the Marlins signed to a multiyear deal under the Bruce Sherman and Jeter ownership group, is projected to be the ’ starting left fielder. He’s 30 years old, a one-time All-Star, a career .286 hitter, and heading into his eighth MLB season.
Matt Kemp, the 35-year-old outfielder heading into his 15th MLB season, is in camp on a minor-league deal. However, like Curtis Granderson in 2019, the anticipation is that he will be on the Marlins’ Opening Day roster and playing off the bench. Kemp has already become a clubhouse favorite and has spent ample time in spring training with the Marlins’ younger outfielders, including Monte Harrison and Lewis Brinson.
“I was in that position, too,” Kemp said. “A lot of those guys, they’re hungry. They’re ready to go. They want to show what they can do. They ask questions, and they’re busting their butts to get better.”
There are first baseman Jesus Aguilar and versatile infielder Jonathan Villar. Marlins manager Don Mattingly believes those two can be X-factors in Miami’s lineup. Villar gives the Marlins a combination of speed and power at the top of the lineup. Aguilar can be a weapon as the cleanup hitter if his power numbers return to form from his 2018 All-Star season (35 home runs, 108 RBI).
Catcher Francisco Cervelli is balancing his role between wanting regular playing time and mentoring Jorge Alfaro. Jeter called Cervelli, a 12-year MLB veteran whose first seven big-league seasons overlapped with Jeter’s final seven with the New York Yankees, a “worker” who should help both Alfaro and a young-but-talented pitching staff.
“It’s more action than talk,” Cervelli said. “It’s more listening than being on top of people. You have to get to know everyone. That’s the only way I can figure out what to see and when to say it. I’m here to learn with them, to experience this with them, and win games. That’s all I want to do.”
They will supplement the Marlins’ core group, which includes Brian Anderson, Miguel Rojas, Isan Diaz, and Alfaro.
In time, top prospects such as Harrison, shortstop Jazz Chisholm, first baseman Lewin Diaz, and pitchers Sixto Sanchez, Edward Cabrera, and Jorge Guzman will make their way to the big leagues, too, and start what the Marlins hope will be a consistent wave of talent coming up through their system.
But whether those top prospects are in the big leagues this season or not, the goal is still the same.
“You still have to go out there and perform on the field,” Jeter said. “Time will tell.”
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 2:25 PM.
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