BALTIMORE -- ESPN is reporting that analyst Bobby Valentine will has confirmed to them he will fly to South Florida Friday night to meet with Marlins executives, including owner Jeffrey Loria, where Marlins are expected to offer the former Mets and Rangers manager a four-year contract.
Valentine withdrew his name from consideration for the Orioles' managerial job Wednesday soon after it was announced that the Marlins had fired manager Fredi Gonzalez. President David Samson said he called Valentine shortly after to let him know Gonzalez had been fired and they wanted to meet with him. Loria has known Valentine for 20 years, and has had informal discussions with Loria over the last eight months about Valentine's interest in someday managing the Marlins.
Edwin Rodriguez, the Marlins' Triple-A manager, was named the interim manager Wednesday and became the first Puerto Rican to manage in a big league game. The Marlins play the Mets in a three-game series in Puerto Rico starting Monday. A source close to the negotiations told ESPN the Marlins will have Rodriguez manage the Marlins for the three games in Puerto Rico, then name Valentine the manager.
Stay tuned for more.
So is this going to be another one of Loria's loser friends coming into the fold...
Posted by: hande | June 24, 2010 at 06:28 PM
You hate to see anyone lose his job and I think Fredi Gonzalez is a good man. However, he was not an effective manager and made to many bad decisions, especially with the pitching staff.
I wish him well.
Posted by: Tony Carles | June 24, 2010 at 08:36 PM
Well said , Tony. There is a reason why I call him Fred " The Bullpen Serial Killer" Gonzazlez and its because of the same thing you just said.
Posted by: ThankGodFrediIsGone | June 25, 2010 at 11:48 AM