New Miami Marlins GM Kim Ng's business plan

Yahoo Finance’s Adam Shapiro and Seana Smith speak with Dan Roberts about Miami Marlin's historic pick of Kim Ng for their new GM, and what it means for the franchise and the league.

Video Transcript

SEANA SMITH: This is a pretty remarkable story, the Miami Marlins hiring Kim Ng as their new general manager. Now why is it such a big deal is that she is Major League Baseball's first female general manager. Dan Roberts of course following this beat for us. And Dan, I know you got the chance to talk to Kim. What did she have to say just in terms of not only attaining this title but what she wants to do with it?

DAN ROBERTS: Yeah, Seana, that's what I wanted to know. Of course, everyone's talking about how this is a historic first. Not just the first female MLB GM, but the first Asian-American MLB GM. So yesterday there was media availability with Kim Ng. Everyone asking about how she feels achieving this finally.

But a lot of people also pointing out, why did it take so long? She first interviewed for a GM job 15 years ago. She has worked in baseball for 30 years.

She was assistant GM at the Yankees and won three World Series rings. But I asked her what she wants to accomplish for the business. Because the Marlins-- there's a lot to fix in that organization. Here's what she said.

KIM NG: I think from a business perspective, I want to be out there more in the community. And like I mentioned in my opening remarks, I want the Marlins to be seen as a pillar of the community. So I will be out there at different functions to make sure that people understand who we are, where we're going, and where we want to take this organization.

In terms of the upcoming season, I mean that's really just going to be pending COVID and vaccines and where we end up on that issue. So that is yet to be determined. But I think the folks at MLB are looking at all the different avenues that we could be heading down in the next six months.

DAN ROBERTS: And, guys, when she alludes to I think what she wants to change with the organization, obviously her priority as GM is winning. They want to win on the field. And this season was a good start because the Marlins made the playoffs, ending the longest NL playoff drought streak. So things are really looking up there.

Don Mattingly just won NL Manager of the Year. But prior to that, a lot of criticism among baseball media of this organization. Derek Jeter was leading the group that bought it three years ago. He immediately implemented a record-setting fire sale. They traded off a lot of the star players, including Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich.

And actually just last year, "Sports Illustrated," in a ranking of the 10 most hopeless franchises put the Marlins third. The Marlins also in 2019 had the worst attendance of all MLB franchises. So I think Kim Ng has her job cut out for her. But she is the person for the job.

ADAM SHAPIRO: She's certainly no stranger as you point out-- 30-plus years. But I am curious-- the players-- is she gonna face any kind of-- it wouldn't be public-- but any kind of perhaps disrespect from players who are, like, "no."

DAN ROBERTS: I highly doubt it, Adam. Assistant GM at the Yankees, she also just recently was working at MLB front office. She has worked for so many teams, knows people everywhere.

I think if anything the question everyone has is-- terrific to see this first, terrific to see these the achievement. But why did it take teams so long? So good on the Marlins, good on Kim Ng. Let's see how it goes.

SEANA SMITH: Certainly did take them way too long. But at least she did it and did finally get that title after more than 30 years, Dan, like you were saying-- not only becoming the first woman, but the first Asian-American to become a general manager in Major League Baseball. So I certainly am excited to see what she does with the team right. Dan Roberts, thanks so much for joining us with that.