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Reds should immediately call dismissed Marlins executive Michael Hill

By Drew Koch

MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill of the Miami Marlins speaks with the media regarding the upcoming MLB Draft prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the San Francisco Giants at Marlins Park on May 29, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill of the Miami Marlins speaks with the media regarding the upcoming MLB Draft prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the San Francisco Giants at Marlins Park on May 29, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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This is the Reds chance to do something bold by hiring Michael Hill.

As the Marlins continue to retool their front office, the Cincinnati Reds should take the opportunity to interview the latest casualty of Miami’s organizational shuffling. Michael Hill, the Marlins President of Baseball Operations for the past eight seasons, has parted ways with the team and would be a solid candidate to replace Dick Williams.

While many folks feel, as do I, that Nick Krall is the likely successor to Williams, the Reds would be foolish not to entertain the idea of at least extending a conversation to Hill. The 49-year-old Hill is a Cincinnati native and helped lead the successful rebuilding project in Miami.

It can be argued that few teams in Major League Baseball this season overcame more obstacles than the Miami Marlins. After the coronavirus swept through the organization earlier this season, it was questionable as to how the Marlins would even navigate the challenges of the 2020 season.

According to the Miami Herald, Hill oversaw 174 roster moves and 61 players on the roster, including 25 rookies and 18 players who made their MLB debuts. The Marlins ended the 2020 season withe exact same 31-29 record as the Reds.

While a lot of fans probably regard the Miami Marlins as a laughing stock, don’t forget that while Hill was part of the front office, this franchise drafted Giancarlo Stanton, J.T. Realmuto and Christian Yelich and signed Marcell Ozuna.

The Miami Marlins have operated on a shoestring budget for years. Imagine what Michael Hill may be able to do if given a little bit more cash by Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini. The Reds ownership opened up their wallets last offseason to bring in the likes of Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas. They’ll have to do so again this winter if they want to retain Trevor Bauer.

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While Nick Krall seems like the obvious candidate to succeed Dick Williams, the Reds should at least kick the tires on the idea of bringing on Michael Hill. Even if that idea involves promoting Krall to the President of Baseball Operations and hiring Hill to be the team’s GM. Getting a fresh prospective would do this team well after falling short of expectations in 2020.

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