Marlins' Jeter optimistic about rebuild despite difficult 2018

A season after the Miami Marlins finished in second in the NL East and then promptly traded away most of their high-profile players, the team sits last in the division with a 47-69 record.

Marlins CEO Derek Jeter doesn't describe his first year with the Marlins as a rousing success, but expressed optimism for the future.

"We have a ways to go," Jeter said, according to Steven Wine of The Associated Press. "No one is happy with what has happened to this point. But we are headed in the right direction."

The former Yankees shortstop has some reasons for his positive outlook, including Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Anderson and All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.

"J.T. in my opinion is at right at the top of the list as being one of the best all-around catchers in baseball," Jeter said. "He is a guy we would love to have here long term."

The rebuilding effort continued at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline when the Marlins dealt veterans Cameron Maybin and Brad Ziegler in exchange for prospect depth to further bolster what had been a floundering farm system before last offseason's purge.

And there's still a decent chance the Marlins can avoid finishing last in their division, as they sit just two games behind the New York Mets.