From L.A. to Lost? Mattingly Reportedly Hired by Marlins

[El Supremo]

It seemed like an obvious fit from the moment Don Mattingly and the Dodgers parted ways and now the marriage is actually happening, as Molly Knight of Vice Sports reports that the Marlins have signed Mattingly to a four-year contract to be their new manager.

Mattingly had a 446-363 (.551) record in five seasons as Dodgers manager, including three straight NL West division titles, but the team found little success in the playoffs. Earlier this month Mattingly and the Dodgers parted ways in surprisingly amicable fashion, at least publicly. He’s still under contract with Los Angeles for 2016.

It seems clear now that the Dodgers wanted to move on from Mattingly and he had the Marlins job more or less in his back pocket. Of course, given how often the Marlins and owner Jeffrey Loria fire managers–Mattingly will be their eighth since 2010!–he’s taking quite a leap of faith that it’ll be a long-term job rather than a short-term gig followed by a paid vacation. Just ask Ozzie Guillen. Or Mike Redmond.

Now we’ll see if any of Mattingly’s coaches–like pitching coach Rick Honeycutt or bench coach Tim Wallach–follow him to Miami.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/10/29/don-mattingly-signs-four-year-contract-as-marlins-new-manager/?cid=eref:nbcnews:text

[TSIAS]

1. I wish Mattingly luck

As someone who considers myself a Marlins fan, but hates the management, I question whether any manager can be successful under the reigns of Jeffrey Loria. He is the same owner who fired a Manager of the Year in Joe Girardi after just one season.

There is enough talent to compete in the NL East. The core of Yelich, Stanton, Fernandez, Hechavarria, Gordon, and maybe Ozuna should be good enough to compete. We just need to shore up the rotation, since Alvarez isn't a sure thing as a #2 anymore.

Loria pretty much turned Miami into more of a laughingstock when he appointed Jennings MGR with zero experience.