MIAMI -- Dan Jennings' cell phone blew up with well wishes on Closing Day, but not because of his new role as Marlins general manager.
Right-hander Henderson Alvarez had just tossed the fifth no-hitter in franchise history a few hours after Jennings was officially announced in the position.
"It was a great send-off for 2013 and signifies something special that's coming in the future," Jennings said Tuesday from Marlins Park. "I think it's going to make the offseason go a lot quicker. Our guys -- when they get to Spring Training -- should be at a level of excitement that is a carryover from the final game of 2013."
Since recording the team's second 100-loss season, there have been a few personnel changes in the front office.
Michael Hill took over for Larry Beinfest as president of baseball operations. Jennings moved into Hill's former position after serving as assistant GM and vice-president of player development. The pair has worked together for more than 20 years beginning in the mid-90s when Jennings hired Hill with the Devil Rays.
On Tuesday Mike Berger became the new vice president/assistant general manager and Jeff McAvoy the director of pro scouting. Dan Hoffsinger and Craig Weissmann were added as director of baseball operations and vice president of player personnel, respectively, this offseason.
All of this is being done in a concerted effort to revamp the organization, slowly going back to its roots of building a strong farm system of players that eventually make a mark in the Majors.
Last week Miami added six players to its 40-man roster, including catcher J.T. Realmuto and righty Jose Urena, avoiding the loss of top prospects to the Rule 5 draft next month.
"When you're in our position where we won't be top-10 payroll-wise it's imperative you grow your own," Jennings said. "For you to have success, especially in the pitching department, you have to grow your own guys. It's gotten to the point in our game now where players in that service time of 0-3 years -- they've become gold.
"All other teams want them. They call nonstop, which is good because that's how you can make some trades, but the bottom line is our scouting department and development department have to work together so that we can continue that flow and our pipeline and keep these players coming to the Major Leagues."
To get them ready, the Marlins send them off to the Arizona Fall League, which pits top prospects from each team against each other in October and November.
Two guys waiting in the wings -- left-hander Andrew Heaney and third baseman Colin Moran -- saw action with the Glendale Desert Dogs.
Heaney went 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA in seven starts, striking out 24 and walking nine in 27 2/3 innings. Moran, who was selected sixth overall in this year's draft, hit .230 with three doubles and 10 RBI.
AFL alumni and current everyday players on the big-league club include Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich.
"Sometimes the best things you can do to a player is put them in an uncomfortable survival situation," Jennings said. "When you look at some of the kids over time that we have placed in the fall league it's helped them move into the next level or through the next level a little quicker.
"What we're hoping is that's the case here. Some of our guys by the end of November were tired. They were spent, and when you get to that level you have to do a little soul-searching and through that you'll figure some things out about yourself. ... The quicker guys find that and figured that out about themselves the quicker they can arrive here in the big leagues."
Compare this philosophy to two offseasons ago when the Marlins went on a spending spree, signing high-priced free agents Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell.
Last year's transition into the organization's new direction began with the blockbuster trade with the Blue Jays. It has already produced several cornerstones in the lineup like shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and Alvarez.
"It's (an opportunity) we're looking forward to and embracing and the challenge of trying to build and sustain success," Jennings said.
Tune in to FOX Sports Florida in December for a special offseason Marlins Hot Stove show hosted by Frank Forte.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
