Oct 5, 2009 5:56 pm US/Eastern
Fredi Gonzalez Out As Marlins Manager?
By Solange Reyner
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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PHOENIX - JULY 10: Manager Fredi Gonzalez of the Florida Marlins watches from the dugout during MLB action against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 10, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Marlins 8-0.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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The Florida Marlins finished second in the National League East, but finished five games out of the playoff race. After what seemed to be another successful season for a team with the lowest payroll in baseball, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez might lose his job.
"We're all disappointed," team president David Samson told ESPN. "Certainly winning 87 or 88 games is positive for the organization, but our goal every year is to make the playoffs. That's that."
Owner Jeffrey Loria is upset the team failed to make the playoffs, and the Marlins have declined to say whether Gonzalez will return next year, even though he received a contract extension through 2011 just eight months ago.
The thought to let Gonzalez go has baffled some fans. The third-year manager was named The Sporting News manager of the Year in 2008 and took the Marlins from 71 wins in 2007 to 84 in 08' and 87 this season.
"I think it's sad the ownership thinks he isn't doing a good job when he has the lowest payroll to work with," said Marlins' fan Bobby Gemma, who goes to about 20 games per season.
"They are a few players away from being a legit contender and the ownership refuses to spend money. They are a running joke around baseball."
On Saturday, ESPN.com reported that former Mets' manager Bobby Valentine is in talks with the Marlins about a position with the organization.
Gonzalez, who has the most wins in Marlins history, wouldn't comment on his future, only saying that Valentine was "a good baseball man."
While some fans are up in arms about the possible switch, season ticket holder Ron Albert thinks it's a good move.
"The bottom line is that the front office has done a tremendous job over the last seven or eight years. If they think that we can do better, I trust our front office," said Albert, who has been a season ticket holder since 1993.
"Fredi has made decisions that you can question. If the Marlins think that they can do better, and if a better strategic manager can come in and do a better job, then I believe in it."
Albert said the front office has had no communication with its season ticket holders yet, and that the Marlins typically send letters after big moves are made.
Florida failed to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season. The Marlins dismantled the 2003 World Series championship team after the season, and had issues with their starting pitchers this year.
"The Marlins have done this before," Jeff Fleisch said. "I will not support any professional team or company that follows that plan."
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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