MIAMI -- Check another item off the Marlins' offseason "to do" list. The organization has hired Jason Pare, formerly with the Blue Jays, to oversee its analytics department.
With advanced data becoming more prominent in the sport, team officials said at the end of the 2015 season that they were looking to build an analytics department. Bringing in Pare is the first step.
Pare held the title of baseball operations analyst with the Blue Jays. In Miami, roles are still being determined.
Before hiring Pare, Dan Noffsinger was the lone primary analytical person in the organization. Noffsinger's title is director of analytics.
In time, the analytics department could include three or more people.
The Marlins, an organization that has lagged behind in relying extensively on advanced metrics, are increasing the use of data in their decision making.
At the Winter Meetings, new manager Don Mattingly said he favored advanced metrics, calling it "information."
After being relatively quiet the first two months of the offseason, the Marlins have made some aggressive moves since early January. Their major signing was lefty Wei-Yin Chen, who projects as their No. 2 starter. Right-hander Edwin Jackson also was signed to compete for the fifth starter spot.