Rays General Manager leaves to head Miami Marlins

Tampa Bay Rays General Manager Peter Bendix is stepping down from the organization and joining the Miami Marlins as the head of baseball operations. 

Bendix emerged as the top candidate during the team’s extensive executive recruitment search, according to a Monday announcement from the Marlins. 

He will succeed former general manager Kim Ng. 

Good morning from our President of Baseball Operations, Peter Bendix.

Welcome to Miami! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/5tjTHjNH0q

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) November 6, 2023

“I am eager to get to South Florida and to begin working with the talented and passionate people throughout the Marlins organization,” Bendix said in a prepared statement. 

Rays representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Bendix’s departure to the rival team, and who will fill his shoes. 

Bendix started his career with the Rays as an intern in 2009. He was named the team’s general manager in late 2021, working with the president of baseball operations, Erik Neander.

“Peter is an established industry leader with an extensive skillset and deep experience that will continue the momentum we have made on the major league level, while also strategically building the foundation for sustained success through player acquisition, development and scouting at all levels,” Marlins Chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman said in a prepared statement. 

“In addition to the extensive track record of winning with the Rays, Peter showcased leadership and culture-defining abilities that will have a tremendous impact on our organization,” Sherman said. “I am looking forward to working alongside Peter to bring the Marlins back to the playoffs.”

The Marlins made the playoffs last season for the first time in a full schedule since 2003. 

Ng, hired in November 2020, becoming the first woman general manager in Major League Baseball history, was expected to stay with the team for the 2024 season; however, Ng resigned in October when she learned the Marlins wanted to hire a President of Baseball Operations and didn’t intend on giving her the position, according to reports. 

Meanwhile, the move to hire Bendix represents a slew of recent leadership changes for the Rays. Last month, Rays officials announced first base coach Chris Prieto and assistant hitting coach Dan DeMent will not return to the team in 2024. Each had a year remaining in their contracts.