Marlins General Manager Kim Ng Departs Amid Power Struggles and Disagreements
In a shocking turn of events, Kim Ng has stepped down as the general manager of the Miami Marlins. Multiple sources familiar with the matter have revealed to The Athletic that Ng’s abrupt departure stemmed from numerous instances where she felt her power was being stripped and her contributions were being underappreciated.
One of the key issues that contributed to Ng’s decision was the lack of a new three-year deal offered by the organization. Despite leading the Marlins to their first playoff appearance in a full-season year since 2003, Ng’s mutual option for 2024 was only picked up, while a new contract was not put on the table. This practice is typically seen as standard in the industry when an executive achieves significant accomplishments or reaches the end of their current deal.
Furthermore, the Marlins expressed their intention to hire a president of baseball operations above Ng, a move that would have effectively demoted her and restricted her ability to restructure the team’s baseball operations as she saw fit. Sources briefed on the matter revealed that Ng and team owner Bruce Sherman had differing ideas regarding personnel decisions and resource allocation, particularly when it came to analytics.
Another factor contributing to Ng’s departure was her difficulty in making changes within the organization’s leadership roles, particularly in scouting and player development. While some changes were made in 2022, Ng faced resistance from ownership when she sought to implement further changes. It is worth noting that the analytics department is currently overseen by assistant general manager Daniel Greenlee.
Ng explained her decision to step away, stating, “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.” She expressed gratitude to the Marlins organization, its fans, and the dedicated staff in baseball operations and the front office. The Marlins, on the other hand, thanked Ng for her contributions and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The departure of Ng will undoubtedly pose challenges for the Marlins organization, which previously saw CEO Derek Jeter leave due to differences with ownership. Multiple sources within the organization believed that Ng deserved more authority and compensation for her successful tenure.
Sherman announced that the search for a new head of baseball operations would begin immediately, with interim GM Brian Chattin taking over in the meantime. However, potential candidates will likely be cautious due to what transpired with Ng and the previous CEO.
The Marlins garnered significant praise for hiring Ng, who made history as the first female general manager in baseball and the first GM of East Asian descent. Losing Ng now raises questions about the organization’s decision-making, especially considering her notable achievements and the positive direction she had set the team on.
As for Ng’s future, it remains uncertain. While there are currently two open general manager positions, both come with their own obstacles. The Boston Red Sox job is viewed warily in the industry due to the ownership’s history of cycling through numerous candidates. Additionally, the New York Mets recently hired David Stearns as the president, making the GM position less desirable for Ng.
Industry rumors suggest that Ng might be considered for a president role, with speculation that the Chicago White Sox, her former team, could be interested in having her oversee their newly promoted general manager Chris Getz.
In conclusion, Ng’s departure has left the Miami Marlins facing significant challenges and backlash. Her tenure as the first female GM in baseball history, as well as her accomplishments, have made her departure a major loss for the Marlins organization. The team now faces the task of finding a new leader who can fill the void left by Ng and continue moving the franchise forward.