The Miami Marlins have plenty of money, had a very successful offseason and have received lots of positive fan reaction in recent months, Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter said Monday, despite public belief to the contrary.
And, Sherman added, he's happy to be here.
"Finally, it's spring training," said Sherman, the Marlins' chairman and principal owner. "I'm a rookie too."
Sherman spoke prior to the team's first full-squad workout of spring training at their Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex. Flanked by Jeter, the CEO and face of their ownership group that bought the team from Jeffrey Loria at the end of last season, Sherman made just his second public appearance since the sale closed _ and first since their Oct. 3 introductory news conference.
With the same happy-go-lucky tone he had that first day, Sherman painted an optimistic picture of the Marlins' long-term future, one he hopes includes sustainable success. He fielded questions for about eight minutes.
To Sherman, the Marlins are already on their way. Through its first four-plus months under new ownership, the team has traded four star players _ Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Dee Gordon _ as it embarked on a roster rebuild. The Marlins have also taken a few PR hits after moves that have little to no effect on how the franchise operates, such as firing four special assistants/franchise luminaries and a hospitalized scout.
"From my perspective, I think the management of the team has made all the right moves," Sherman said. "I've been involved in every decision. I support every decision, our partners support every decision. We're building something for the long haul here."
Sherman also said the idea that the ownership group, which has added new investors since October, does not have enough money is not accurate.
"There's nothing further from the truth," Sherman said. "We are a very sophisticated, well-heeled, financially set organization, not just for this year but for many, many years to come.
"I didn't get in this personally, nor did the other partners get into this for one, two or three years. Nobody is in this to make any short-term profits whatsoever. This is a long, long haul and I'm excited we get to play baseball now and I can be a fan again."
Sherman said he understands why a lot of fans are angry _ and referenced one of Jeter's primary themes, patience.
"The fans are disappointed in some of the trades that we made. We understand that," Sherman said. "But I'm seeing a change that people understand we're building something from the future here to be sustainable.
"I'm really excited to be a part of that. I know it's going to take patience. Derek has said that from day one, first meeting I ever had with Derek Jeter was patience, patience. I think we're handling that."
Then Jeter chimed in.
"Let me just add one thing," Jeter said. "We've gotten a great response from a lot of fans as well, so I think that narrative needs to start to change. ... I've met with many fans over the last four months, who all say they have patience, they understand what we're doing and they're giving us a chance. Mentioning that 'all fans' are upset couldn't be further from the truth."
