MIAMI — Jeff Conine has been back with the Miami Marlins organization for one day and was already getting involved in the community.
There he was Friday, alongside chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman, president of business operations Caroline O’Connor, outfielder Avisail Garcia and a slew of volunteers at loanDepot park to help with the team’s annual Thanksgiving food distribution.
“It’s great to help out when needed,” Conine said. “Success on the field and rings and all that stuff is great, but your legacy is what you do in the community and how you affect the people around you.”
The Marlins announced Thursday that Conine has been hired as a special assistant who will advise Sherman.
According to the Marlins’ press release announcing the hire, the team said Conine will “work closely with Sherman and Marlins leadership on a variety of projects, initiatives and key matters pertaining to the Marlins’ operations” and “participate in special appearances throughout the year and at key community outreach and Miami Marlins Foundation events” in addition to providing guidance and assistance to players at all levels of the organization.
“Whatever I can help with,” Conine said, adding that “even though I played for six different teams, I’ve always been a Marlin at heart, so to be back representing my hometown team is where I belong.”
Conine said Sherman approached him “earlier this year” about the possibility of rejoining the organization.
“The conversations were cordial and productive,” Conine said. “We decided this was going to be a beneficial relationship. I’m happy to be here and I hope I can do whatever I can to take this organization back to where we should be, which is the postseason.”
This is Conine’s second stint with the Marlins following his playing career that spanned 17 seasons — including parts of eight seasons with the Marlins in two different stints and being part of both the franchise’s World Series in 1997 and 2003. He worked for nine years a special assistant to former team president David Samson during previous owner Jeffrey Loria’s tenure.
After Sherman bought the team in 2017, Conine turned down an offer from new ownership to remain with the organization in what would have been a sharply diminished role at lower pay.
During the past six years, he spent time broadcasting and working on FIU’s coaching staff.
His son, Griffin Conine, is a power-hitting outfielder in the Marlins’ minor-league system. He isn’t on the Marlins’ 40-man roster and will be available to other teams in the Rule 5 draft next month.
“We have the same employer now,” Conine said with a laugh. “Never thought I’d say that. Hopefully, I’m coming to work and watching him play soon.”
Marlins acquire minor league pitcher
The Marlins on Friday acquired right-handed pitcher prospect Franklin Sanchez and a player to be named later from the New York Mets in exchange for right-handed pitchers Jeff Brigham and Elieser Hernandez. Miami designated Brigham and Hernandez for assignment on Tuesday to clear space on the 40-man roster.
Sanchez, 22, has a career 4.97 ERA over 34 appearances (eight starts) in spanning two minor-league seasons. He reached High A last season in the Mets’ system.
