Fredi Gonzalez in final year of contract

by craig on Feb 9, 2009 10:40 AM EST in News and Rumors

Fredi Gonzalez is in the final year of his contract and at this time there are no plans to extend it.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez is entering the final season of his three-year contract, but the Marlins have no plans yet to discuss an extension.

Part of the reason has to do with the pending ballpark vote.

"It's not even on my radar at the moment,'' Samson said. "I know it becomes a big source of discussion - 'Oh, lame-duck this ... ' In this day and age, when you are working for a professional team, you're supposed to go out there and do a job.

"I know it won't affect Fredi. It's not something we think about right now. We have other issues that we're dealing with.''

Gonzalez, who guided the Marlins to 84 wins last year after a 71-91 record as a rookie in 2007, wasn't concerned about his future.

"If I do a good job, I'll get another one,'' he said with a smile.

(Emphasis is mine)

Pardon my French, as they say, this a load of crap. Sure we all can arm chair manage the team from our homes and have some disagreements with the moves Fredi makes. But the fact remains he led the team to third best record in its history last season.

And speaking about working for a professional team, how much time did you take off Samson in order to train for the Iron Man?

Granted, there are other things on the front burner, but don't give me "you are working for a professional team, you're suppose to go out there and do a job" line.

Especially when Samson, himself, doesn't adhere to it.

''With what Fredi has done with that roster -- I mean, winning 84 games last year and they played only 161 -- that he wouldn't get an extension is mind-boggling to me,'' said Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, a Marlins fan and friend of Gonzalez. ``It was one of the best managerial jobs done in baseball last year, if not the best.''

Gonzalez, named Sporting News NL Manager of the Year in '08, lives in Atlanta during the offseason, and the Braves (his former employer) could have interest when Bobby Cox retires. In recent years, the Marlins gave long-term contracts to key executives but only one player ( Hanley Ramirez). ''Whenever [Jeffrey Loria] decides he wants to address it, he'll address it,'' Marlins president David Samson said. ``We're obviously happy Fredi has been here.''

The Braves were grooming Fredi to take over for the legendary Bobby Cox and if the Marlins don't lock him in, he will be eventually Atlanta bound.

Now, that may not bother some of you, but I happen to like Fredi. And anyone who rides a Harley to spring training, can't be all bad.

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hopefully

they will begin contract talks once the stadium vote is over. I dont blame them for not negotiating it now. they do have a lot on their plate with the stadium. The season hasnt even started yet. theres plenty of time to extend his contract.

by Fluxuation on Feb 9, 2009 12:45 PM EST reply actions

Fredi

My longstanding gripe with Fredi is his later inning pitcher management. But I think he’s a good clubhouse guy and overall a good manager. I guess how sad I would be to see him go would depend on who would replace him. (duh) But I also think a hometown guy done good is always a good thing for Miami teams.

2 Time Defending Post-Season Ichthyomancy Champion

by hurricane on Feb 9, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply actions

Forget it..he's done!

He has had success and since success usually means pay raise….he’s done! They will hire some AAA guy to manage for cost of a luxury box ticket. The Marlin organization is ALL about spending the least amount on anything regardless of the quality. They are trying to fool everybody by paying Hanley but, without 24 quality guys around him, why bother? Since Loria makes a profit every year, he doesn’t care. He is laughing at South Florida all the way to the bank!

by theGateKeeper on Feb 10, 2009 2:36 AM EST reply actions

marlin manger

Perhaps he is likeable but:
1) His team was confused about signs on more than one occasion and it might have even cost a game…that responsibility was the mgrs…especially the 2nd time
2) Josh Winningham came back after missing about 50 games and the mgr. hit him cleanup when he obviously wasn’t ready…it cost the team dearly. He should have started lower in the batting order…the mgr. did this often…never learned by error
3) Upon occasion, Wes Helms was inserted into the lineup after sitting for several games. He, too, often batted #4 and it did not work…and shouldn’t have been expected to work…the man should have hit 6th or 7th at best after a long layoff…just plain dumb
4) There were 3 umpire calls, all within about a week’s time that went against the Marlins…and were shown by replay to be wrong. The mgr. never defended his players. He sat in dugout with folded arms…what did that do for team’s morale?
5) The mgr. stuck with Gregg as closer long past the time it was evident that it was a mistake…this cost the team several losses toward critical end of season
6) Hermida is a tremendous talent who displays lackluster habits and seems to need motivation. The mgr. shoud have had his shoe up his butt…he did nothing
7) The teams hitting coach was a player famous for hitting home runs and striking out too much. Sound familar? How can such a coach teach contact to this team?
8) It seemed to me that there were a number of quotes and interviews that hinted that players lacked respect for his judgement…is it any wonder?
9) This is his worst sin…too many times players (even stars like Hanley) hit sure doubles only to be thrown out at 2B AFTER LEAVING THE BATTERS BOX TOO SLOWLY. This happened too many times and seemed to never be corrected. Shameful.

Joe Girardi took these kids and showed them how to be big leaguers by example. As they matured and improved, this attitude seemed to diminish. The mgr., sitting on his butt with his arms folded, looking for all the would like he was wondering what he was doing there, treated the team during the game itself as if they were all seasoned veterals…wrong. In my opinion he is clearly incompetent.

by jermack on Feb 10, 2009 2:55 AM EST reply actions