Headlines

  • Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.
  • Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment
  • Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Braves Select Craig Kimbrel
  • Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox
  • White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

MLB Hires Michael Hill, Raul Ibanez, Rajai Davis, Bo Porter

By Steve Adams | February 1, 2021 at 12:35pm CDT

12:35pm: The league has announced that both Hill and Ibanez have been named senior vice presidents of on-field operations. Specifically, Hill will oversee umpiring and on-field disciplinary matters at both the major league and minor league level. Ibanez, meanwhile, will focus on issues pertaining to rules, equipment and on-field technology.

Beyond that pairing, the league also has hired former outfielder Rajai Davis as a director of on-field operations, where he’ll share that title with recent retirees Nick Hundley and Gregor Blanco. Davis will focus on rule changes and amateur baseball. Per the league’s announcement, Davis will also focus on “mentorship of minority players as they progress through amateur baseball and the minor leagues.”

Former Astros skipper Bo Porter was also hired by MLB today, the league announced. He’ll serve as a consultant on coaching development — a role in which he will assist with the “identification and development of candidates for coaching positions throughout amateur and professional baseball, with a focus on underrepresented groups.”

12:18pm: SNY’s Andy Martino reports that in addition to Hill, MLB is hiring former big league outfielder Raul Ibanez to work with on-field operations. He’ll also have a VP title, and he’ll bring a more player-focused perspective that the league lost when Young took his post with the Rangers. The 48-year-old Ibanez retired after the 2014 season and enjoyed a very strong 19-year career in the Majors, during which time he hit .272/.335/.465 with 305 home runs. Ibanez had been working as a special assistant with the Dodgers’ front office prior to accepting his new role.

With regard to Hill, Martino indicates that he’d have been a candidate to work in the recently shuffled Mets front office had he not taken this opportunity with the league office.

9:00am: Former Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill will be named Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of on-field operations, reports USA Today’s Bob  Nightengale (Twitter link). Hill will step into the role that was vacated by former big league right-hander Chris Young earlier this offseason, when Young was named general manager of the Rangers.

The league has yet to formally announce the move, but a press release is surely forthcoming. Young, during his time with this role, oversaw “the application of playing rules and regulations, on-field standards and discipline, pace of play and other special projects” and drew praise from deputy commissioner Dan Halem for his ability to explain things from the players’ vantage point.

Hill won’t bring the same playing background to the role that Young, a 13-year  MLB veteran, brought to the table. However, with more than 20 years of baseball operations experience, he’ll have his own perspectives to offer. (Hill did play a few years of minor league ball after being drafted by the Rangers out of Harvard in 1993 as well.)

The Marlins parted ways with Hill back in October. CEO Derek Jeter said afterward that the two sides had discussed a new contract but ultimately weren’t able to come to terms. Hill’s departure didn’t register as a major surprise, as he was a holdover from the Jeffrey Loria era. It’s common for incoming ownership groups to shake up their front office composition, and the Marlins were no exception. Hill finished out his contract, but Jeter and Bruce Sherman eventually went in a different direction, hiring Kim Ng as their new general manager.

Hill, meanwhile, was reportedly considered for the top baseball operations posts with the Phillies, Angels and the Mets following his departure from Miami. It’s certainly plausible that the 49-year-old will be considered for future front office vacancies, but for the time being, he’ll take on a much different challenge within the league.

Share 0 Retweet 10 Send via email0

Miami Marlins Bo Porter Michael Hill Rajai Davis Raul Ibanez Rob Manfred

Dustin Pedroia Announces Retirement
Main
Mets Acquire Jordan Yamamoto
View Comments (33)
Post a Comment

33 Comments

  1. Tim Dierkes

    4 years ago

    Just a heads up that we had a bug over the weekend that made a lot of normal comments go into “pending” status. I’m approving them all now and it shouldn’t happen moving forward.

    4
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      ya love to see it

      Reply
  2. Luc 2

    4 years ago

    Off topic question. Chocolates or Gummies Ex. Gummy bears

    Reply
  3. 8

    4 years ago

    Marlins quality to all of baseball. I’m scared.

    2
    Reply
    • ludafish

      4 years ago

      I know it seems bleak and am easy joke but he operated with what he was given. Now he can do this job with no issues of that piece of garbage Loria or the rebuilding Sherman/Jeter.

      Reply
  4. ludafish

    4 years ago

    This is a role I think he can excell at and I’m very happy he found a job (one that I’m sure pays quite well). He had to hear it from the unhappy Marlins players for years so I’m sure he has some good perspective. I do not think he is a good GM but most likely has some great skills in other locations. I wish him all the best but I’m much happier with Ng at the helm.

    Reply
    • MarlinsFanBase

      4 years ago

      Agreed @ludafish

      I hope Hill brings his experiences with the Marlins and the Rays to all of MLB so we can get a more balanced game throughout.

      I surely hope he doesn’t show the incompetence he did here.

      Reply
  5. angt222

    4 years ago

    That explains why he turned down the Mets gig.

    1
    Reply
  6. Old User Name

    4 years ago

    Big fan of Raul’s guitars. I’ve used them almost exclusively for years.

    2
    Reply
    • Dock_Elvis

      4 years ago

      Sounds like you’re an equal baseball and guitar fan.

      1
      Reply
      • whyhayzee

        4 years ago

        Hey you’re pretty good what’s your name?

        It’s right there on your guitar.

        Best beer commercial ever.

        1
        Reply
  7. paddyo furnichuh

    4 years ago

    I thought Ibanez would make the drastic career change and join up with the guitar (string) maker.

    Reply
  8. astick

    4 years ago

    Raul, when he was with the Mariners, threw me a ball from center field. It was a seed. I was maybe 12. I thought he threw it through me. When I realized I caught it, the pain in my hand was awful. Pretty sure I cried.

    2
    Reply
    • SodoMojo90

      4 years ago

      He’ll be the Mariners skipper one of these days

      1
      Reply
  9. warnbeeb

    4 years ago

    Always a fan of Rajai Davis. He came from a little town near me here in CT. Had a memorable walk off grand slam vs the A’s when he was with my Tigers. And, it’s so sad his HR vs the Cubbies in the WS didn’t stand up and put him up there with Mazaroski’s as one of the iconic HR’s in baseball history.

    Reply
    • nowheredan

      4 years ago

      Same here. Always root for the New London county guys.

      Reply
      • nowheredan

        4 years ago

        Except maybe Matt Harvey.

        Reply
        • warnbeeb

          4 years ago

          And Brad Ausmus (Cheshire) and George Springer (New Britain)

          Not New London county, but definitely CT grown BB players.

          And who can forget CT’s version of Moonlight Graham, Adam Greenberg?

          Reply
        • nowheredan

          4 years ago

          I’m a Blue Jays fan… I’ve been lucky to see Paul Menhart, Pete Walker, John McDonald, and Dominick Leone play for my guys. Maybe we’ll get Jesse Hahn one of these days.

          Reply
        • warnbeeb

          4 years ago

          Yes, John McDonald had a nice little career. He had a brief stint with my Tigers too. Seemed like he was a Jays lifer for the most part.

          Wasn’t he the 3baseman victimized by ARod in that “I got it! I got it” infield pop up snafu?

          Just another reason to keep Arod out of the HOF….at least, for awhile.

          Reply
  10. hyraxwithaflamethrower

    4 years ago

    “MLB Names Michael Hill, Raul Ibanez, Rajai Davis, Bo Porter”
    I thought their parents would have done that. Seems like an overreach by Manfred.

    5
    Reply
  11. bobtillman

    4 years ago

    Good to see Bo Porter, a class act all around, get a chance to stay in the game.

    Reply
    • VanLingleMungo89

      4 years ago

      I commented several times that he should have gotten more managerial offers. I guess the owners didn’t read my posts.

      Reply
      • bobtillman

        4 years ago

        Just going on the interviews I saw with Porter; detailed (beyond belief; he’d leave the interviewer confused ) and what looked to be a genuinely nice guy. “Coaching the coaches” just seems to be a perfect job for him.

        Reply
  12. HalosHeavenJJ

    4 years ago

    Ibanez was considered to be a manager in waiting when he was playing here.

    Reply
  13. Marlinsfan05

    4 years ago

    Not buying this whole mlb hiring dudes of color to bring more African Americans into baseball. I look at the way fans act towards Trevor bauer & keeping baseball traditional way of thinking that plagues baseball aged viewers. In the mind of blacks I can’t possibly see them wanting to deal with the culture clash of the sport. But its cool that mlb is atleast trying.

    3
    Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      4 years ago

      Huh? What specifically is your issue?

      Reply
    • Rangers29

      4 years ago

      I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not, but I didn’t even realize all the people that MLB has hired today have been people of color… until you said that. I guess that just goes to show that MLB is more diverse than they think.

      I just thought that these have been some really solid hires, so that just goes to show that there are plenty of good, interracial baseball minds that are ready to step into high positions at any moment.

      I just never want to see another Kim Ng type situation happen again where even though she was uber-qualified, people turned her down. It wasn’t until she was hired that people looked at her track record and saw a great resume.

      I believe that teams (or any workforce for that matter) should interview all kinds of different people that have the specific skill-set necessary for the respective job, and then choose their hire – not based on race – but based on who has the best credentials. Sometimes it will be a 40 y/o white guy, but sometimes it will be the underappreciated Kim Ng.

      Sorry for the mini-rant.

      2
      Reply
      • Marlinsfan05

        4 years ago

        I enjoyed reading your comment, her being the first female gm in baseball was super cool.

        Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      4 years ago

      They’re doing exactly that to increase baseball interest in inner cities. Old fans are going to die off eventually so I’m not sure where you are going. The sport will continue to evolve for better or for worst. No matter how anyone feels about Bauer, he’s one guy and his career will end in the future.

      Reply
  14. Cap & Crunch

    4 years ago

    Raul Ibanez was one of the most under rated players in Mlb during his career

    2
    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      4 years ago

      In his short time with the Yankees, I’ve always admire how he was always active in and on the top step of the dugout even on days he wasn’t playing.

      Reply
  15. cheapgm4hire

    4 years ago

    Am I the only one that dozed off reading that? “Yawn”…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    AJ Smith-Shawver Diagnosed With Torn UCL

    Reds Trade Alexis Díaz To Dodgers

    Rockies Sign Orlando Arcia

    Ronel Blanco To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Blue Jays Notes: Scherzer, Varsho, Francis

    Pirates Reportedly Receiving Interest In Isiah Kiner-Falefa

    Angels Sign Ben Gamel To Minor League Deal

    Blue Jays Recall Spencer Turnbull For Season Debut

    Orioles Notes: Westburg, Mullins, O’Neill

    Tigers Notes: Vierling, Olson, Urquidy, Boyd

    Twins Place Zebby Matthews On 15-Day IL, Reinstate Danny Coulombe

    Yankees Claim CJ Alexander

    Phillies Claim Ryan Cusick, Designate Kyle Tyler

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version