MIAMI -- The new Marlins ownership group, led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter, on Tuesday expressed a commitment to connecting and engaging with the Miami fan base along with building a sturdy organization.
"We believe in this market," Jeter said at a morning news conference at Marlins Park. "We believe in the fan base. We are focused on bringing the fans back. We want to build an organization that's sustainable over time. We're going to build this organization based on respect, integrity, honor. We're going to have hard work. I think those are always rewarded in the long run."
After months of negotiations, the Sherman-Jeter group purchased the Marlins from Jeffrey Loria for $1.2 billion. The deal closed on Monday, and Sherman and Jeter were formally introduced Tuesday as the fourth owners since the Marlins began in 1993.
• Letter from Jeter to Marlins fans
Sherman assumes the title of chairman and principal owner, and Jeter is the chief executive officer.
"We have to engage the community, both locally, the city, county, the local community, right here at Marlins Park," Sherman said. "We're going to do that, and we're going to get the benefit of all the employees' input, as well as a lot of people we've been talking to."
On the baseball side, few specifics were offered.
No official announcement has been made as to whether manager Don Mattingly, who is under contract through 2019, will return. The belief is he will.
"I have spoken with Donnie," Jeter said. "I saw Donnie [Monday]. It's been a long season, so I told him to get out of here, go enjoy himself and go back to his family. But we'll sit down, just like any organization does at the end of the season, and evaluate everyone."
Jeter, a 14-time All-Star shortstop and one of the most iconic players in Yankees history, has a longstanding friendship with Mattingly, another former Yankees great.
Their paths overlapped in New York, and Mattingly was on the coaching staff in 2004-07 during Jeter's playing days.
"I've developed a great relationship with him over the years," Jeter said. "I think he's done a great job. I have the utmost respect for him. But we'll sit down, once the time is right, and evaluate everyone."
Last week, the Marlins made some changes to their front office, dismissing executives Mike Berger, Jeff McAvoy, Marc DelPiano and Jim Benedict.
President of baseball operations Michael Hill, under contract through 2020, is expected to return, but it is unclear what his title and responsibilities will be.
Jeter on Tuesday mentioned consulting with Hill on baseball-related topics.
One of the most anticipated storylines for the Marlins in the offseason will be if All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton, coming off a season in which he paced the Majors in home runs (59) and RBIs (132), will be back.
Stanton, who has a full no-trade clause, has $295 million remaining on his contract, and his salary jumps to $25 million in 2018.
On Sunday, after the season finale, Stanton noted he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild, but he anticipates speaking with the organization to see what direction the franchise is moving.
"Unbelievable season," Jeter said. "I do not know him well. I have not spoken to the team. I've spoken to the employees earlier today, but I have not spoken with the players, because it was an awkward time frame. Anything we do moving forward with the organization, I'll discuss with [Hill]."
The Marlins finished 77-85. The club has not had a winning season since 2009, and it last made the playoffs in '03.
"We're going to sit down, with me and Mike, and his staff, and figure out the direction to go," Jeter said. "But, yeah, we do have to rebuild an organization. It starts with player development, scouting. We have to be strong in those areas, because if you're going to have a sustainable organization over time, you need that pipeline of young players that can come in. So we're going to focus on everything, from top down, bottom up -- however you want to say it. We're going to pay attention to detail."