The Miami Marlins and general manager Kim Ng have parted ways, the team announced Monday morning. Ng just completed the final guaranteed year of her contract. The Marlins exercised their mutual option to bring her back next year, but Ng declined, so she is now a free agent. The two sides could agree on a new contract, although the Marlins indicated they would move on.
“We thank Kim for her contributions during her time with our organization and wish her and her family well,” Marlins principal owner Bruce Sherman said in a statement. “We will immediately begin a thorough and comprehensive search for new leadership as we plan to continue investing in the Marlins organization both on and off the field. We are committed to our fans and the South Florida community and are looking to build on the momentum of this year’s big progress.”
Brian Chattin, director of player development, will serve as Miami’s interim general manager. according to the Miami Herald.
Ng, 54, was hired in November 2020, making her the first female general manager in baseball history and the second Asian general manager. This season, she led the Marlins to their first postseason berth since 2020 and their first postseason berth in a 162-game season since 2003. The Marlins posted a 220-266 (.452) record in Ng’s three seasons and 2023 record of 84-78.
“Kim has been great,” Sherman told reporters last month (via MLB.com). “It’s not easy at all to be in her role. Can you imagine that? The first female GM in baseball history. Incredible. And all the movements, all the trading movements were excellent.”
Ng’s signature move with the Marlins was the signing of Luis Arraez in a four-player trade that sent Pablo López to the Minnesota Twins. It’s a win-win trade — Arraez flirted with a .400 batting average most of the season and López emerged as Minnesota’s No. 1 starter — and it really put the Marlins on the map. It was a loud and clear statement that the team wanted to compete with.
During her tenure, Ng also signed reigning NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara to an affordable long-term contract extension, turned loanee Starling Marte into Jesús Luzardo, acquired Josh Bell and Jake Burger, and signed Jorge Soler. There have also been failures, like the signing of Avisaíl García and the club’s recent first-round picks trending in the wrong direction.
The Marlins and Boston Red Sox are the two teams that currently do not have a top baseball operations manager. The New York Mets are also looking for a general manager to work under new president of baseball operations David Stearns. Former GM Billy Eppler resigned earlier this month amid an MLB investigation into improper use of the injured list.
Before joining the Marlins, Ng worked in the front office with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, including several stints as assistant general manager. She also worked in the commissioner’s office.