Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Juan C. Rodriguez
Staff Writer
Turns out Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez performed well enough to keep his job. The same can't be said for pitching coach Mark Wiley and infield coach Andy Fox.
Tuesday, the Marlins announced neither Wiley nor Fox would return to their positions. The others -- bench coach Carlos Tosca, hitting coach Jim Presley, third base/outfield coach Bo Porter, bullpen coach Steve Foster and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault -- have been offered contracts for 2010.
Though Gonzalez signed an extension that takes him through 2011, the Marlins left him in limbo at season's end. Late Saturday, a report surfaced they had discussions with Bobby Valentine about a job, which Newsday later reported was the manager's post.
The Marlins did nothing publicly or privately to quash the suggestion that Gonzalez could be replaced. Rather than pay two managers next season, owner Jeffrey Loria and the front office apparently decided to hold Wiley and Fox accountable for some of the club's shortcomings.
"On both fronts, it's not necessarily an indictment of these two guys as coaches," President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest said. "They're both quality. It was just an effort by the organization to try to continue to improve."
Bruce Rubin, Loria's public relations man, declined an interview request on his client's behalf. In a statement, Loria said: "Every organization regularly evaluates itself to see how it can improve. We do this on a constant basis. Our fans would expect no less.
"We are pleased with a winning season. And we are disappointed we did not make the playoffs. We always want to exceed expectations. Our fans share these feelings, also."
Added Beinfest: "Jeffrey's statements speak for themselves. Hopefully some of the things that went on this weekend are behind us and we're ready to move forward. Today was a step in that direction."
Three of Wiley's 17 years as a major league pitching coach were with the Marlins. Though the bullpen as a whole exceeded expectations, the rotation underachieved.
"I don't think it's a knock on Mark at all," Beinfest said. "It was an area we felt we were deficient this year and we're going to try something else to see if we can get these guys going and get them consistent as quickly as possible."
The Marlins have some in-house candidates, including pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal, Triple-A New Orleans pitching coach Scott Mitchell and Double-A pitching coach Reid Cornelius.
If they go outside the organization, keep an eye on Bryan Price. He has served as pitching coach with the Mariners and Diamondbacks, and currently is a minor league consultant with the Phillies. Price also has a long standing relationship with Beinfest.
Another interesting name is Carl Willis. He spent seven years as the Indians pitching coach and oversaw Cy Young winners C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, but was let go along with manager Eric Wedge and the rest of the staff.
Wiley was offered the chance to remain on board in an unspecified off-the-field position. The Marlins asked Fox to manage the short season Class-A New York-Penn League affiliate. He declined.
"Nothing surprises me in this game," said Fox, who held the position since 2006. "You never assume anything. That's the way it goes. I've put myself in a position where I have options. I'll go through the process and see what's out there."
Copyright 2009 South Florida Sun-Sentinel
