MIAMI -- Viewers of Marlins games on FOX Sports Florida this season will get three perspectives. Rather than fill the color-analyst post with one person, the club is splitting the job among three.
The team announced Friday that Eduardo Perez, Preston Wilson and Al Leiter will alternate as color analysts for the Marlins in 2016. It's the first time in franchise history the team has gone with a group effort instead of one person.
The constant in the TV booth will be Rich Waltz, who returns for his 12th season doing Marlins play-by-play.
For months, the Marlins have been interviewing candidates to replace color analyst Tommy Hutton, who did not have his contract renewed following the 2015 season. Hutton handled the duties for 19 years.
Perez, Wilson and Leiter all have ties to the organization.
"It allows us to have a different perspective from series to series," said P.J. Loyello, the Marlins' senior vice president of communications and broadcasting. "It keeps guys fresh. You have the perspective from a pitcher. The perspective from a former coach and infielder, and an outfielder. It's a trend that's growing in baseball, and it's one at this time, it's worth pursuing."
The team hasn't said how the three will divide the schedule. FOX Sports Florida broadcasts 150 Marlins games.
Wilson, a former Marlins outfielder, spent the past four seasons as a pregame and postgame host for FOX Sports Florida. When not in the booth, Wilson also will continue to be part of pregame and postgame segments.
Perez, a former infielder, is the son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez, a Marlins special assistant.
Eduardo Perez was the Marlins' hitting coach in 2011 and 2012. He was also the bench coach for the Astros for one season before working as a studio analyst for ESPN. He will continue his work with ESPN.
Leiter, a pitcher on the Marlins' 1997 World Series title team, also pitched for the Marlins for part of 2005. Leiter has been a regular on MLB Network and the YES Network. He also will continue those duties in addition to working in the booth with Miami.