September 24, 200718 yr Sources: Marlins are firing pitching coach By JOE CAPOZZI Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Monday, September 24, 2007 There has been speculation that Kranitz would not return. But on Sunday, manager Fredi Gonzalez told The Palm Beach Post he would be surprised if his entire coaching staff did not come back for '08. The Marlins are off today and begin a three-game series Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. It will be the final series of the season at Dolphin Stadium. The Marlins finish with a three-game series in New York against the Mets. The Marlins (66-90) are headed toward one of their worst finishes in franchise history, largely because of poor pitching.The Marlins will announce this afternoon that pitching coach Rick Kranitz will not return next season, sources said. "Someone got fired and I'm upset,'' a Marlins pitcher said earlier today, declining to elaborate until the team made the announcement. The Marlins are worst in the National League in ERA (4.98), runs allowed (864), walks (642), wild pitches (64) and balks (9). Five Marlins won at least 10 games last year, but none has reached double-digit victories this season. Starters Dontrelle Willis (9-15) and Scott Olsen (9-15) have lost a combined 30 games. Two key starters - Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez ? missed most of the year with injuries and will not be ready in April 2008. Kranitz could not be reached for comment today. Anyone want to guess who the pissed off pitcher was? I'm going to assume Scotty O. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/conte...924Marlins.html
September 24, 200718 yr Freakin' awesome day here on MB.com!!! First the chat thread goes classic on us all and now this. Best news for the Marlins in a long, long time.
September 24, 200718 yr What about Fox? We need to dump more than Kranitz. I mean, seriously, there are justifications for our pitching. NONE for our crap defense!
September 24, 200718 yr Good, now maybe someone can come here and get Dontrelle back on track (no pun intended).
September 24, 200718 yr The article's been updated...the quote's gone and now it's definitive that he's fired "The Marlins announced this afternoon that pitching coach Rick Kranitz will not return next season."
September 24, 200718 yr The 2008 staff will include Carlos Tosca (bench), Jim Presley (hitting), Andy Fox (infield/first base), Bo Porter (third base/outfield), Steve Foster (bullpen) and Pierre Arsenault (bullpen coordinator). For the remaining six games, Foster will assume the role of pitching coach. Beinfest said the team will explore possibilities within and outside of the organization. --- Florida Marlins
September 24, 200718 yr The article on FloridaMarlins.com says Kranitz was invited back, but declined as he wanted to pursue other opportunities.
September 24, 200718 yr The article on FloridaMarlins.com says Kranitz was invited back, but declined as he wanted to pursue other opportunities. Then thanks for saving us from ourself Rick!
September 24, 200718 yr Fox is the infeild coach? Wow the guy was on nightmare to watch in the feild. Goddamn nightmare...
September 24, 200718 yr it is intresting to note that in the artcile at flamarlins.com it says that Kranitz was offered the chance to return but opted not too.....and that the 2008 staff will include Tosca, Porter, Fox, Foster and Arsenault.
September 24, 200718 yr It's certainly not an inappropriate decision. It will be interesting to see who is in and how wide the net is in looking for a replacement. I have no problem with Wiley, who I remember at one point was spending more time here than in Colorado. A number of pitchers had very good seasons here under Kranitz but in the end not necessarily the right ones. The off-season soap opera begins...
September 24, 200718 yr what this actually shows me is how the FO loves to stand pat with the crap we have... if Kranitz truly left and was not fired...then the FO wanted the same staff including our lame pitching coach and our inexperienced infield coach...thats a problem...Fox and Kranitz should have been fired...
September 24, 200718 yr 790 says that every coach was offered an extension with the exception of Kranitz.
September 24, 200718 yr Hope springs eternal for next season. Somewhere, Dr. Andrews is crying over the loss of future business from the Marlins.
September 24, 200718 yr Hope springs eternal for next season. Somewhere, Dr. Andrews is crying over the loss of future business from the Marlins. Sick..but nonetheless I couldn't help but laugh at that one :notworthy
September 24, 200718 yr I get a feeling Mazzone will be the next Marlins pitching coach. But I dont like the fact that he has a reputation of not working with the bullpen like he does with the rotation. I would'nt mind Wiley back though.
September 24, 200718 yr 790 says that every coach was offered an extension with the exception of Kranitz. MIAMI -- With a week left in the regular season, the Marlins are already looking ahead to 2008. General manager Admin Beinfest on Monday announced some plans to go forward. The franchise is moving ahead with essentially the same coaching staff. There is one exception. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz was offered the opportunity to return, but he informed the club he wanted to pursue other opportunities. The Marlins are in the process of getting their organizational meetings started, and the team has acted quickly in regards to manager Fredi Gonzalez's staff. The 2008 staff will include Carlos Tosca (bench), Jim Presley (hitting), Andy Fox (infield/first base), Bo Porter (third base/outfield), Steve Foster (bullpen) and Pierre Arsenault (bullpen coordinator). For the remaining six games, Foster will assume the role of pitching coach. Beinfest said the team will explore possibilities within and outside of the organization. LINK
September 24, 200718 yr doesn't sound like he was fired initially, but he wouldn't commit so they moved on sun-sentinel.com/sports/baseball/marlins/sfl-marcoach092407,0,7943886.story South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com Marlins' pitching coach Rick Kranitz out By JUAN C. RODRIGUEZ Sun-Sentinel.com September 24, 2007 Pitching coach Rick Kranitz's tenure with the Marlins is over, and it has nothing to do with his job performance. General Manager Admin Beinfest announced Monday afternoon all the coaches were offered contracts for the 2008 season. All accepted with the exception of Kranitz, who Beinfest said was not prepared to commit. "He wanted to explore other options," said Beinfest, adding Kranitz's 2008 proposed deal included a pay raise. "With that, we are moving on without him." The Marlins are beginning their organizational meetings today and wanted their coaches in place and ready to take part. "The bottom line for me is either you are in or you're out," Beinfest said. "Kranny was not able to make that decision, and we're moving on." Earlier this month, Kranitz said he hadn't given any thought to his status with the club beyond 2007. He did say he hoped to return next season. Bullpen coach Steve Foster will serve as interim pitching coach the final week. Foster likely will be among the in-house candidates for the job along with minor league pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal and Class-A Jupiter pitching coach Reid Cornelius. One outside options could include former Marlins pitching coach and current Rockies scout Mark Wiley. Beinfest said he didn't anticipate interviewing candidates until after season's end. Copyright ? 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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