Don Mattingly wasted no time finding a new gig after his five-year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers came to an end, reportedly agreeing to terms with the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
According to Molly Knight of Vice Sports, the former New York Yankees first baseman inked a four-year deal with Miami, but financial terms have not yet been disclosed.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com later confirmed the hiring.
The Marlins are hopeful they have finally found the right man for the job as Mattingly will become their eighth manager since 2010, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Following a second consecutive loss in the National League Division Series this season, Mattingly and the Dodgers mutually agreed to part ways. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the move came about through many conversations, per Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
“As our end of season process began, we discussed the past year, our future goals, necessary changes, roster needs and other matters relating to next year’s campaign,” Friedman said. “As the dialogue progressed daily, it evolved to a point where we all agreed that it might be best for both sides to start fresh.”
Despite the untimely ending for Mattingly, he did say at his press conference after leaving the Dodgers that he “definitely” wanted to manage, per Shaikin.
Even though the Dodgers never made it to a World Series under Mattingly, his tenure was successful. His teams finished over .500 in all five seasons as manager, making the playoffs every year from 2013-15, and reaching the NLCS in 2013.
The problem with managing the Dodgers is expectations will always be off the charts because they are spending nearly $100 million more than any other team in baseball.
Per Hernandez, Mattingly did emphasize the decision to part ways with the Dodgers wasn’t expectation-driven:
While every manager wants to have goals, being able to get out of a spotlight as bright as Los Angeles’ does afford Mattingly the chance to get a fresh start and work with a roster that isn’t as riddled with expensive contracts for aging players in decline.
The Marlins have no shortage of young talent with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and starting pitcher Jose Fernandez leading the way, but Mattingly still has an uphill climb ahead of him as Miami finished 71-91 this season and hasn’t made the playoffs since winning the World Series in 2003.
Mattingly has a chance to reinvent himself with a new franchise. It’s rare that a manager coming off of a successful stint with a premier franchise becomes available, so the Marlins have every reason to be thrilled with the hiring as they look to return to contention in the NL.
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