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The Miami Marlins have made a major shakeup in their organization, appointing current general manager Dan Jennings as their new manager, replacing the fired Mike Redmond. The news was confirmed by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Here's everything we know:
1. Mike Redmond was fired and everyone knew it was coming
Redmond was thought to be on the hot seat from back in April, after the Marlins started the year 3-10. He was able to right the ship for a little while and it look as if things were turning around. Since the 3-10 start and the rumors of a firing, the Marlins went 13-12.
Injuries and under-performance hindered the Marlins ability to get anything going. Henderson Alavrez had missed some time, but was activated to start yesterday. The Mat Latos trade hasn't gone as planned, with Latos sporting a 5.54 ERA and a 1-4 record.
#Marlins fire of Redmond. Not a shock. Source told me after initial reports, "Once Loria gets an idea, can’t get it out of his head."
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 17, 2015
Then yesterday, the Marlins were one out away from being no-hit by Shelby Miller. After the game, the team had a closed meeting in which they were told that Redmond and bench coach Rob Leary were fired.
2. Multiple candidates were considered ... by the media
And that dawned the era of Jennings. But not first without multiple other names being reported about who could getthe gig. Mets' Triple-A manager Wally Backman was talked about again as a candidate. It was thought to be Jeff Conine for a while, but that report was later changed.
fwiw heard marlins new manager is "outside the box," & "no one mentioned (much) today/tonight." #mysterymanager
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) May 18, 2015
Was told last night I couldn't get the Marlins' manager choice with 100 guesses. I'm not sure 1,000 guesses would've been sufficient
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 18, 2015
3. Marlins actually chose their GM to become manager
Jennings is a guy with no previous managerial experience, but a front executive with whom Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria trusts a great deal. Loria signed Jennings to an eight-year extension after 2007.
Even with that front office experience, this is a surprising move and brings with it a number of questions about the Marlins going forward, including whether or not they can be saved.
Though the move is unusual, it is not unprecedented, as the Diamondbacks hired front office executive A.J. Hinch as their manager after firing Bob Melvin during the 2009 season. Hinch has gone back-and-forth between the front office and dugout since that move, and is currently serving as the Astros' manager after being the active general manager of the Padres last season.
4. Jennings won't be alone down there
Jennings will have some coaching experience with him in the dugout. Mike Golf, who was a former first base coach and bench coach for the Seattle Mariners from 2005-2007, will take over as the Marlins bench coach.
Hearing Jennings and Goff will run #Marlins on field, and that Mike Hill and assistant GM Mike Berger will run front office.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 18, 2015
5. Nobody really knows how this will turn out but everyone agrees it ends badly
The Miami Marlins and Loria have made news again, by moving their general manager from the front office to the dugout, hoping that he can turn this team around.
There is a lot of money invested into this team, starting with Giancarlo Stanton. Loria didn't pay all that money to not compete, and if they don't, Jennings could get canned as well.