Next set of Marlins manager discussions can begin

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted October 18 2005

 

HOUSTON ? Decision time.

 

Having completed the final scheduled interview Monday for their open managerial post, the Marlins can now delve into negotiations with their preferred candidate.

 

Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi remains their top choice and could be named to the position within the week barring any snags in the talks.

 

Neither Girardi nor agent Steve Mandell could be reached, but the Marlins are believed to want their new manager in place before the World Series starts Saturday.

 

Girardi may not qualify as a slam-dunk. He also has interviewed for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' opening and hinted he wouldn't be averse to remaining in his current position under Joe Torre.

 

The Marlins spent most of Monday afternoon hosting Devil Rays third-base coach Tom Foley, the seventh known candidate to interview. Foley met with General Manager Admin Beinfest and Assistant General Manager Mike Hill for about four hours in South Florida before returning to his Palm Harbor residence outside Tampa.

 

"A lot of dialogue," Foley said. "They wanted to find out about me and I think they did that. It was a two-way conversation. They wanted to hear a lot about what I thought. I just left with a good feeling about what transpired."

 

One of the Marlins' interviewees officially dropped out of the race. Former Seattle Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price accepted a job in the same capacity with the Arizona Diamondbacks. A resident of Scottsdale, Price said remaining at home and renewing his working relationship with manager Bob Melvin prompted the decision.

 

"I didn't think [the Marlins' opportunity] would move in the managerial direction," said Price, who interviewed by phone last week with Beinfest, Hill and owner Jeffrey Loria. "When I talked to Admin again he felt strongly that Joe [Girardi] would have the edge and [asked if] would I consider the pitching coach position. If I had to put the two side-by-side, the Arizona job was more attractive for obvious reasons."

 

Price added that if the Diamondbacks didn't have the opening he would have given strong consideration joining the Marlins' staff. Nonetheless, he was loath to discuss it without the new manager in place.

 

With Price out of the mix, Girardi or whoever is named manager would likely consider bringing back incumbent pitching coach Mark Wiley. With the exception of Perry Hill, all the coaches were granted permission to seek employment elsewhere while the Marlins conducted their managerial search.

 

Wiley has drawn interest from other club and already has removed himself from consideration for the Mariners' job, citing a desire to stay closer to his South Florida residence.

 

Hitting coach Bill Robinson was mentioned as a candidate for the same job at Seattle, but has yet to receive any overtures. Ideally, Robinson would like to return and should at least garner an interview if Girardi is hired, as Robinson knows Girardi from their days in the Yankees' organization. Girardi was on the major-league roster when Robinson was the Triple-A hitting coach.

 

"He was always in the manager's office after the game, talking baseball," said Robinson, who last season presided over the best hitting team in the National League [.272 average]. "I think he was destined to be a manager. The way he handled himself, he's a smart man. He would be an excellent choice."

No to Bill Robinson staying on with new manager

Girardi might bring Chris Chambliss as hitting coach, having worked with him with the Yanks. Chambliss also managed AAA for Marlins back in 2000 or 2001.

Foley joins manager carousel

 

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

 

The Marlins continued to wind down their search for a manager Monday, meeting for four hours at a Fort Lauderdale restaurant with Tampa Bay Devil Rays third-base coach Tom Foley.

 

Foley, a former major-league infielder (1983-95), is at least the sixth candidate the Marlins have interviewed since Jack McKeon resigned Oct. 2.

 

Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi remains the front-runner, and the Marlins hope to reach an agreement with him this week. Florida is believed to have discussed a contract with Girardi's agent sometime over the past two days.

 

The Marlins have said they could wait until after the World Series to hire a manager, but the longer they wait the more they risk losing managerial and coaching candidates. Since the season ended, Detroit and Pittsburgh have hired new managers, who in turn have started compiling their staffs.

 

Unless the Marlins make a hire by Saturday, when the World Series begins, they would have to wait longer to announce it. Commissioner Bud Selig has a policy against teams making major announcements during the Series.

 

Girardi is the only candidate who has interviewed twice with Florida. He also is being strongly pursued by the Devil Rays, who have interviewed him twice.

 

Foley, who also has interviewed to be Tampa Bay's manager, said Monday's meeting with Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest and assistant general manager Mike Hill went well.

 

"I feel real good about it," said Foley, 46, who played for Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Montreal and Pittsburgh. "It's just a waiting game now, and we'll see which way it goes."

 

One Marlins candidate withdrew from consideration Monday. Former Seattle pitching coach Bryan Price ? a close friend of Beinfest's ? said he accepted a job as Arizona's pitching coach after determining that he was not a serious managerial candidate for the Marlins.

 

Mark Wiley, Florida's pitching coach this season, might return to that position in 2006. Wiley said he spoke with Hill last week and was told that the front office was interested in having him back but that the new manager would have a role in the decision.

 

Wiley said he has turned down at least four offers to work as pitching coach for other teams, including the Mariners.

 

Wiley said he would welcome the chance to work with Girardi.

 

"Joe should be a good manager," Wiley said. "He'd have a great ballclub that's ready to win, and he's going to need some help from people who know the league and who know this team."

 

Yanks want to talk with Mazzone: The New York Yankees began pressing ahead with their off-season transformation, receiving permission from the Atlanta Braves to speak with pitching coach Leo Mazzone.

 

The Yankees need a new pitching coach after Mel Stottlemyre said last week he did not plan to return.

 

Mazzone, who turned 57 Sunday, has been with the Braves organization since 1979.

 

Oakland: The team exercised its $4 million contract option for outfielder Jay Payton that keeps him with the club through next season.

 

Toronto: Al Widmar, the pitching coach for the Blue Jays for 10 seasons during the '70s and '80s, died Saturday of colon cancer. He was 80.

Posted on Tue, Oct. 18, 2005

Marlins, Girardi continue discussions

 

BY CLARK SPENCER

 

cspencer@herald.com

 

The Marlins interviewed one managerial candidate Monday, and another one eliminated himself from consideration. But it was Joe Girardi who continued to command the team's attention.

 

A source with knowledge of the discussions said the Marlins have made Girardi a preliminary offer but that an agreement had not been reached.

 

Girardi, the 41-year-old bench coach for the New York Yankees, interviewed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sunday for their managing vacancy.

 

Girardi's agent, Steve Mandell, did not return phone calls Monday.

 

The field of candidates for the Marlins' job was whittled by one when Bryan Price signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks to become their pitching coach.

 

Devil Rays third-base coach Tom Foley interviewed for the Marlins' position Monday, meeting with general manager Admin Beinfest and assistant GM Mike Hill.

 

''They do have decisions to make on some players,'' Foley said. ``But I think the ballclub itself seems to be pretty intact.''

 

Also Monday, the Devil Rays interviewed Atlanta Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton.

So Freddi is pretty much out of the running, huh? Not going to lie, I'm a little disappointed in that...

So Freddi is pretty much out of the running, huh? Not going to lie, I'm a little disappointed in that...

 

 

Where does it say that?

I would love to see the Yankees snap Leo out of the Braves hands

"When I talked to Admin again he felt strongly that Joe [Girardi] would have the edge and [asked if] would I consider the pitching coach position. If I had to put the two side-by-side, the Arizona job was more attractive for obvious reasons."

Wow Admin, your realm of influence expands...

So Freddi is pretty much out of the running, huh? Not going to lie, I'm a little disappointed in that...

 

 

You should be named TAssume25. You constantly assume things.

Swifty, it does appear so, or at least he is viewed as a second or third choice but if Giradi cannot move fast enough (to agree before the WS), and the Marlins are truly committed to getting a decision finalized by then, Gonzalez may be back in the running in the next few days.

 

I have to suspect (because let's face it none of us "knows" with any certainty) that Fredi Gonzalez did not interview well here or in Tampa Bay. One senses it isn't just that Girardi is that good but conversely that Fredi didn't show enough of what the Fish were looking for or I think you would here more talk of the Marlins organization taking a two track approach to their negotiations, which in my mind would the sensible thing to do if time was of the essence.

 

But on the otherhand we don't really know (because the media here is so god awfully lazy) whether in fact discussions continue with with Gonzalez or Washington and any of the other cadidates because so much media emphasis is being showered on Girardi.

Giradi is the "sexy" choice it appears for the media at the least.

 

Thank you marlins2003 for posting all of these up. It really does help.

 

I hope the yankees buy off mazzoni too. Get him out of the NL east please!

Swifty, it does appear so, or at least he is viewed as a second or third choice but if Giradi cannot move fast enough (to agree before the WS), and the Marlins are truly committed to getting a decision finalized by then, Gonzalez may be back in the running in the next few days.

 

I have to suspect (because let's face it none of us "knows" with any certainty) that Fredi Gonzalez did not interview well here or in Tampa Bay. One senses it isn't just that Girardi is that good but conversely that Fredi didn't show enough of what the Fish were looking for or I think you would here more talk of the Marlins organization taking a two track approach to their negotiations, which in my mind would the sensible thing to do if time was of the essence.

 

But on the otherhand we don't really know (because the media here is so god awfully lazy) whether in fact discussions continue with with Gonzalez or Washington and any of the other cadidates because so much media emphasis is being showered on Girardi.

 

 

I agree, I've said all along that Gonzalez must have flunked his interview because his name just sort of disappeared after the first interview. While it's clear that Girardi is (and has been) the #1 choice, I would have expected at least some attention given to Gonzalez, instead that is being given to Foley and Washington.

 

I'm fearful now because it seems that all our eggs are in one basket (Girardi) and from what I've read, he isn't overly anxious about coming here, and in my mind it's either Tampa Bay or waiting one more year (when he'll either get the Cub or Yankee job in '07) for Girardi. Concerning to say the least...

I still want Sweet Lou or Ozzie. Really Giradi and Fredi dont thrill me much.

I still want Sweet Lou or Ozzie. Really Giradi and Fredi dont thrill me much.

 

 

Ozzie's not going anywhere (well, he said he'd retire if they won the World Series) and I don't think Piniella fits into the Marlins (mostly budgetary) plans. Not to mention, we haven't interviewed either of them and it appears that the Marlins are in the "end game" stages of this process.

I still want Sweet Lou or Ozzie. Really Giradi and Fredi dont thrill me much.

 

 

 

How is Ozzie a candidate? He's managing a team in the World Series. I don't care about the reports that said people were upset with his managing...he got a team to the World Series for the first time in almost 50 years AND has years left on his contract. He isn't getting canned or quitting, trust me.

I'm all for giving new bloods a chance to manage. Guys like Girardi and Gonzalez among others really bring a fresh approach to the position. What I am against is giving retreads a chance here such as Pinella because it usually does nothing for a team.

 

 

Atleast we should get an answer real soon...

I just hope that if we sign Girardi, that he sticks around for 4/5 seasons minimum.

I just hope that if we sign Girardi, that he sticks around for 4/5 seasons minimum.

 

 

Whoever we sign is going to get a multi-year contract, most probably at least three years, so you don't have to worry about Joe running off to New York if Torre departs after this year or to Chicago if Dusty is jettisoned. The Marlins would never give their permission to other teams to interview him if he was performing as expected.

 

That said, one of the things that I think is slowing the process is Torre's silence on his plans for the future. From what I've read both Torre and Cashman have remained silent since losing in the playoffs, which breaks with tradition and raises speculation that one or both have had it with George.

 

Girardi not doubt would rather take over for Torre than to come to South Florida, and that isn't a shot at the Fish, but rather an acknowledgement of how prestigeous it is to be the Yankees manager.

I'm fearful now because it seems that all our eggs are in one basked (Girardi) and from what I've read, he isn't overly anxious about coming here, and in my mind it's either Tampa Bay or waiting one more year (when he'll either get the Cub or Yankee job in '07) for Girardi. Concerning to say the least...

 

 

my concern as well

MIAMI -- Miami native Tom Foley interviewed for the Marlins managerial job on Monday.

 

For about two weeks, Foley has been mentioned among the candidates to replace Jack McKeon, who retired after the final game of the season on Oct. 2. A graduate of Palmetto High School in Miami, Foley had his interview on Monday in South Florida.

 

Primarily a shortstop in his 13-year Major League career, Foley has served as the Devil Rays third-base coach the past four years. In addition to the Marlins post, Foley has talked to Tampa Bay about replacing Lou Piniella as manager.

 

As Foley made his pitch to direct the Marlins, the perceived frontrunner for the job remained Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi. Girardi, who has met at least twice with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, interviewed for the Tampa Bay job on Sunday.

 

While the Marlins have centered most of their discussions on Girardi, speaking frequently with his agent, Steve Mandell, there is a good deal of speculation floating around as to the former catcher's intentions.

 

One source said Monday that he wouldn't be surprised if Girardi went to the Devil Rays, because of his preference for the Tampa area and his familarity with the American League.

 

It is unclear, however, whether Girardi is the Rays' first choice. On Monday, Tampa Bay interviewed Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton, while other names, including former Mets skipper Bobby Valentine, who is managing in Japan, have surfaced. Alan Trammell has also interviewed with the Devil Rays.

 

One possible managerial candidate appears to be off the Marlins' list, as former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price is thought to be leaning toward taking on the same position with the Diamondbacks.

 

Others who have interviewed with the Marlins include Braves third base coach Fredi Gonzalez, A's third base coach Ron Washington, veteran Minor League manager Marty Scott and Tampa Bay first base coach Billy Hatcher.

 

In all likelihood, the Marlins will announce their new manager before the beginning of the World Series.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla

In what may turn out to be the pivotal move in acquiring Joe Girardi, Yankees manager Joe Torre announced to the media today he is staying. Torre's contract runs two more years.

 

If Girardi's choices are now down to the D'Rays and Marlins, we look to be in the driver's seat.

If Girardi's choices are now down to the D'Rays and Marlins, we look to be in the driver's seat.

 

 

I disagree.

 

He's been our clear-cut #1 since about August, and since the negotiation process has been on, he's given the D-Rays every chance to get equal time. He clearly isn't as enamoured with us as we are with him...