Kim Ng leaving Marlins GM job after 3 seasons
General manager Kim Ng is leaving the Miami Marlins after three seasons, the team announced Monday.
Marlins principal owner Bruce Sherman said in a statement that the club exercised its team option for Ng to return next season, but she declined her mutual option.
"We thank Kim for her contributions during her time with our organization and wish her and her family well," Sherman said, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.
Ng became the first female GM of a major men's North American sports team when she was hired prior to the 2021 season.
"Last week, Bruce and I discussed his plan to reshape the baseball operations department," Ng told The Athletic's Tyler Kepner. "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."
The Miami Marlins wanted to hire a president of baseball operations over general manager Kim Ng, leading to her departure from the organization, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 16, 2023
When reached, Ng declined comment. But sources said she would've been the No. 2 after constructing a playoff team.
She added: "I wish to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Marlins family and its fans for my time in South Florida. This year was a great step forward for the organization, and I will miss working with Skip and his coaches, as well as all of the dedicated staff in baseball operations and throughout the front office. They are a very talented group, and I wish them great success in the future."
The Marlins improved their regular-season winning percentage in each of the last two seasons, culminating in an 84-78 record and a postseason berth this season.
"We will immediately begin a thorough and extensive search for new leadership as we plan to continue to invest in the Marlins organization both on and off the field," Sherman added. "We are committed to our fans and the South Florida community and look to build off the momentum of the great progress of this year."
Marlins star outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. spoke glowingly of Ng after the team clinched a postseason spot.
"She's been doing the right things, making the right moves every year," Chisholm said, according to McPherson. "This year just shows what she can do. I hope she stays with us and hope we get more in the future."
Ng's fingerprints were all over Miami's surprising success in 2023. The executive acquired MLB batting champion Luis Arráez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins, slugger Jake Burger from the Chicago White Sox, and talented left-hander Jesús Luzardo in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. She also acquired key contributors Jorge Soler, Josh Bell, Tanner Scott, and A.J. Puk. Ng hired manager Skip Schumaker ahead of the 2023 campaign.