Miami Marlins nearing deal with Gabe Kapler to be an assistant general manager

The Miami Marlins are finalizing a deal to hire former MLB manager Gabe Kapler as an assistant general manager, a source confirmed to the Miami Herald on Friday.

Kapler, 48, had spent the past six seasons as a manager, first two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (2018-2019) and then four with the San Francisco Giants (2020-2023). He went a combined 456-411 in those six seasons but made the playoffs just once, when the Giants won the National League West in 2021 before being knocked out in five games by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Before his time as a manager, he spent three seasons as the Dodgers’ director of player development from 2015 o 2017.

Once his hire is official, the Marlins will have four assistant general managers under new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix. The others are Brian Chattin, Dan Greenlee and Oz Ocampo.

Kapler will be the second hire to Miami’s front office. The team this week also hired Vinesh Kanthan as a director of baseball operations.

Kanthan spent the past five seasons with the Texas Rangers, most recently as their assistant director of baseball operations. He also spent two years with Bendix in Tampa Bay from 2017 to 2018.

In his role, Kanthan will be involved in all aspects of baseball operations, with a focus on MLB operations and interdepartmental collaboration.

Marlins make decisions on hitting coaches

Following the departure of hitting coach Brant Brown to the Seattle Mariners last month, the Marlins have made one promotion and one new hire to round out manager Skip Schumaker’s coaching staff.

According to a source, John Mabry has been promoted to hitting coach after being one of the team’s two assistant hitting coaches last season along with Jason Hart. The club has also hired Bill Mueller to fill the vacant assistant hitting coach role.

Mabry, 53, was an MLB coach for the Royals for three seasons before being hired by the Marlins ahead of the 2023 season. He was previously the St. Louis Cardinals’ hitting coach from 2013-18 under Mike Matheny.

His assistant hitting coach from 2014-2018? Mueller.

Mueller, 52, played 11 years in MLB and was the 2003 American League batting champion. After retiring in 2006, he spent time as a special assistant to the general manager with the Dodgers until 2012, after which he spent a year as a full-time scout. Mueller in November 2013 was then named the Cubs’ hitting coach but resigned and accepted a job as the Cardinals’ assistant hitting coach.

He spent the past two seasons as part of the Washington Nationals’ player development staff.

This and that

▪ Two former Marlins infielders have found new homes. Garrett Hampson signed with the Kansas City Royals, while Joey Wendle is signing with the New York Mets.

▪ Congratulations to second baseman Luis Arraez and his wife Gladys on the birth of their third daughter, Esthela. The couple announced their daughter’s birth on Arraez’s social media accounts Wednesday.