Marlins Q&A: Kim Ng talks playoff push, impact of deadline additions, Eury and more
Even with a lackluster start to the second half of the season, going 12-24 in their first 36 games since the All-Star Break, the Miami Marlins still find themselves in the thick of the National League playoff race.
Through games played Wednesday, the Marlins (65-63) are two games out of a playoff spot with 34 to play. The Philadelphia Phillies (69-58) hold the top wild card spot, followed by the Chicago Cubs (66-60) and Cincinnati Reds (67-61) with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants (both 66-61) also ahead of the Marlins in the six-team race for three spots.
“It’s going to be a dogfight to the end,” Marlins general manager Kim Ng said. “That’s what’s great and that’s what makes it exciting.”
Prior to the Marlins’ series finale against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, a 3-0 loss that led to Miami’s third consecutive series loss, Ng spoke with a small group of reporters about where things stand with the club with a month to go in the season.
Below is a Q&A with highlights from that interview session.
How are you seeing the club handling things with how tight the wild card race is right now?
“I think at the beginning of the year, if you told us we’d be in the thick of it, wouldn’t we be happy? Definitely. Sure. And here we are. It’s going to be a dogfight to the end. That’s what’s great and that’s what makes it exciting, and we hope that the fans can watch this club. I feel like the new additions to the club have really made a difference. Watching these guys, they’re ultimate pros. I can tell you when we acquired Jake [Burger], I got a number of texts and phone calls from my White Sox colleagues about how great a guy he was and what a hard worker. The same on Josh Bell as well. I’m so happy to have those guys on the club. David Robertson out there doing what he can do; he’s been in high pressure situations for postseason clubs. I love having that experience for us. And Jorge Lopez in addition as well. He’s gone out there and he’s been doing OK.”
When you were with the Dodgers and Yankees, playoff runs were the norm. How does it feel to be back in a chase again?
“It’s always stressful, but I think it’s times like this that you understand and realize and appreciate how much you love the game. This is what we do it all for, to be in these situations. And those guys out there are busting ass every night. We’ve talked about this over the course of this season just watching their confidence grow and seeing how they’ve progressed. You appreciate it every day.”
With Bell, he has the player option for next year. Were you under the assumption that he would opt in for 2024 when the trade was made?
“For us, Josh fits the profile that we’re looking for. Strike zone discipline. Strike zone awareness. He’s a good hitter and has power. He puts all those things together. He plays to the scoreboard. He knows what to do in various situations. Quality human being. Quality veteran presence. Yeah. We’re hoping we have him next year.”
Have there been any discussions about renegotiating Jorge Soler’s deal (Soler has a player option for 2024 for up to $13 million if he hits 550 plate appearances)?
“With contract negotiations, I’m going to decline comment at this time, but he’s somebody that we hope to have in the future.”
When would be the time for to start conversations with Bell and Soler?
“Right now, our focus is on the field. We just want to make sure that we give ourselves every opportunity to get there [into the playoffs] and be playing meaningful games at the end into October. I wouldn’t want anything to get in the way.”
It has been about three weeks since Edward Cabrera has been optioned. What do things look like long-term for him?
“He had a couple good starts, and then his [third] one wasn’t as positive. We’ve just got to hang with him and hope that he works this out as quickly as he can.”
(Note: Cabrera made his fourth Triple A start after Ng spoke Wednesday, throwing 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts while giving up two runs on four hits and two walks.)
Eury Perez has had three starts since being brought back from the minor leagues and looked like his first-half self against the Dodgers after two rough starts. What have you seen from him and is there any update on the plan moving forward as the club continues monitoring his innings?
“That last start was something else and that is clearly indicative of who he is and what he’s got in his arsenal. The plan with him is fluid. We just have to make sure that we’re watching and tracking everything.”
Will left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers (who has been on the injured list since April 20 and hasn’t thrown since June 10 due to a partial tear in his right lat) be able to pitch again this season?
“I think if he comes back at some point this year, that’s icing on the cake, but really what’s most important is Trevor long-term and making sure that he feels comfortable physically.”
What’s the deal with Sixto Sanchez? He’s been essentially stuck in the bullpen portion of his latest throwing progression attempt.
“Yeah. He’s throwing bullpens. I actually watched his last one and he had a batter standing in against him, so that was progress. We just have to go according to how he’s feeling.”
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