Derek Jeter wanted to appease Marlins fans who believe their new team owner isn't committed to winning next year.
MORE: MLB trade rumors: Grading members of the Marlins by their tradeability | Athletics issue apology after Jose Canseco calls sexual molestation a 'turn-on'
The former Yankees great held a town hall meeting on Tuesday with season-ticket holders and it did not go well.
Jeter faced off with Marlins Man and had several less-than-ideal interactions with frustrated fans.
Since Jeter's ownership group took control of the Marlins in September, Miami has jettisoned star players like Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon. Jeter was peppered with questions about the team's "fire sale," but he tried to assure them the Marlins will field a competitive team in 2018. Who those players will be has not yet been determined.
"I can’t sit here and say who’s going to be playing for the Marlins in 2018," said Jeter, who was named the Marlins CEO. "We’re still looking for ways to improve the organization.
"I can't sit here and say trust me. You don't know me. You earn trust over time. I know how organizations are sustainable over time. I know you have been through a lot. I can't relate to it. It's going to be a tough road. It's going to take time and effort."
The 90-minute town hall meeting was held beyond the left field fence at Marlins Park and one fan remarked the venue was appropriate because there wouldn't "be a ball hit in the area by the home team next year."
Another fan asked Jeter why fans should commit to purchasing season tickets next year.
"Because you want to be a part of something we’re building. I don’t expect you to believe me because you’ve been through quite a bit," Jeter responded.
Other fans called the food at Marlins Park "junk and overpriced." When Jeter told an older fan to be patient, the man said he doesn't have many more years to wait.
Another angry fan said he emailed Jeter a complaint about stadium ushers; to which Jeter replied, "You don't have my email address."
Perhaps the most uncomfortable interaction was a four-minute exchange with Marlins Man, who began by asking Jeter if he knows who he is.
"I've heard of you," Jeter replied.
When Marlins Man was finally done speaking, Jeter said to laughs, "I'll let you throw out the first pitch with a 10-year plan. I’m sure we’ll talk later."
Jeter's ownership group led by majority owner Bruce Sherman spent $1.2 billion to purchase the Marlins and one fan remarked they didn't have enough money remaining to pay good players. Jeter disputed the rumors of financial distress.
"Our group is a bunch of financially successful individuals," he said. "Not motivated by near-term cash needs. This ownership group wants to win.
"If we could have paid less for the team, we would have paid less for the team. It was a competitive environment.
“We didn’t buy this team to continue losing money or more importantly losing games."
When asked a similar question from a crying female fan, Jeter said the team "can't throw money at a problem and continue to dig a bigger hole."
When Stanton was traded to the Yankees earlier this month, he said there was "no structure" with the Marlins and their front office and Jeter was firmly in a rebuilding mode.
"We gave a gift, right? I hope every gift I give returns $265 million," Jeter said of the Stanton trade. "I think if that happens then I’ll be extremely happy.
"No question, it gives us financial flexibility to move forward and build."
Jeter promised Tuesday's town hall meeting was the first in a series of meetings to be held. Jeter likely hopes the future meetings go better. Signing a free agent or two instead of getting rid of the team's top players would help.