When the Boston Red Sox hired Bobby Valentine to manage the team for the 2012 season, it was assumed he would be around at least through next season. Now it seems that Valentine will not return for 2013. The Red Sox will likely still have to pay Valentine even if he is not the team's manager next season. The Miami Marlins committed themselves for the next four years hiring Ozzie Guillen as skipper. As the Marlins sit in last place in the NL East after such high expectations, could Guillen possibly be let go after the first year of his contract?
It almost seems like a stupid question. Guillen was part of the "new" Miami Marlins. The team that signed Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell with hopes to fill their new ballpark was expecting to turn the corner. A quality product was sold to their fanbase; expectations were that if the team added to a young core of Giancarlo Stanton, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson, fans would support a winning team. The winning never happened though, and neither did the fans support. Not surprisingly, patience grew thin in the front office which led to a firesale. Ramirez was traded, along with Omar Infante, Anibal Sanchez, Randy Choate, Edwin Mujica and Gaby Sanchez. The Marlins are obviously looking towards 2013. But how much of the teams struggles are attributed to Guillen's leadership?
Owner Jeffrey Loria was asked about Guillens future with the club. His response was along the lines of not wanting to stir a controversy by suggesting his feelings. He further added that all managers have strengths and weaknesses and his status would be addressed at a later time.“I just don’t want to get drawn into that until the end of the season,” Loria said. “There’s good and bad with every situation.” To me, that means it could go either way. Perhaps even 50/ 50. Definitely not a scenario that could have been envisioned at the beginning of the season. Similar to Valentine, it seemed Guillen had a free pass for this season and would be around for close to the duration of his contract. Not that he won't, but his return was not in question until Loria made his remarks.
Maybe it's a lot about nothing. Maybe his way of answering the question was intended to difuse questions about Guillen's job security. But, if that was the case, then why did Loria not give him an endorsement? The vote of confidence, so to say. His lack of interest in talking about Guillen's job status opened the door to the possibility that Ozzie may not be back in 2013. Something that did not exist until Loria made his statements.
Owner Jeffrey Loria was asked about Guillens future with the club. His response was along the lines of not wanting to stir a controversy by suggesting his feelings. He further added that all managers have strengths and weaknesses and his status would be addressed at a later time.“I just don’t want to get drawn into that until the end of the season,” Loria said. “There’s good and bad with every situation.” To me, that means it could go either way. Perhaps even 50/ 50. Definitely not a scenario that could have been envisioned at the beginning of the season. Similar to Valentine, it seemed Guillen had a free pass for this season and would be around for close to the duration of his contract. Not that he won't, but his return was not in question until Loria made his remarks.
Maybe it's a lot about nothing. Maybe his way of answering the question was intended to difuse questions about Guillen's job security. But, if that was the case, then why did Loria not give him an endorsement? The vote of confidence, so to say. His lack of interest in talking about Guillen's job status opened the door to the possibility that Ozzie may not be back in 2013. Something that did not exist until Loria made his statements.
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