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Less than a full year ago, the Miami Marlins extended Mike Redmond's contract through 2017, which provided what appeared to be job security for the Marlins' manager. Yet, in the infancy of the 2015 Major League Baseball season, the Marlins have already fired Redmond and bench coach Rob Leary with a report indicating that a new manager will be announced this morning. Redmond was fired after the Marlins started the season with a record of 16-22 .
When Redmond was offered an extension in September 2014, the manager was praised for amassing a respectable amount of wins, especially during a campaign that included the loss of superstar Giancarlo Stanton to injury. The Marlins finished the 2014 season with a record of 77-85, an improvement of 15 wins over the franchise's 2013 results. At one point in time, Redmond may have even been considered a candidate for National League Manager of The Year. The extension was supposed to stabilize a young Marlins core led by power hitter Stanton. That premise has been defeated through the firing of the manager.
However, Redmond's departure is not entirely surprising. In mid-April, after the Marlins suffered a four-game sweep at the hands of the New York Mets, the club's record was second from the bottom of MLB and Redmond was already rumored to be on the proverbial 'hot seat.' Mets Triple-A manager Wally Backman was considered a replacement and could be the name announced as new manager of the Marlins when the decision is revealed. In 2012, before Redmond was eventually named manager, the Marlins also interviewed current Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Larry Bowa, current Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon and current Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price.
The move to replace Redmond is not unique for a Marlins club that has grown used to firing managers in the middle of their contracts. In 2012, Redmond replaced Ozzie Guillen, who had three years and $7.5 million remaining on his contract.
Financial details of Redmond's extension have not been revealed, but the Marlins should be on the hook to pay the remainder of guaranteed compensation provided under the agreement.
The next manager announced by the Marlins will become the sixth to man the position since 2010. According to CBSSports.com baseball writer Jon Heyman, the announcement will be made at 11 a.m. ET; however, Heyman has also indicated that sources advise the next Marlins manager will be Dan Jennings, who currently serves as the club's general manager after taking over the position from Larry Beinfest in 2014.
Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.
