If the Marlins' decision to name Dan Jennings their manager earlier this season was one of the most surprising hires in recent memory, moving him out of that job surely was among the most predictable.
That finally happened Tuesday, as the team announced that Jennings would not return to that role in 2016. Team president David Samson said Jennings will return to the front office in his previous job as general manager.
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David Samson said Jennings is a "signed member" of front office and "he is the general manager." #marlins
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) October 6, 2015
The Marlins already have interviewed Manny Acta and Bo Porter for the job, and received permission to speak with Larry Bowa. Any of them would be a far more conventional choice than the man they would replace.
Owner Jeffrey Loria likes to keep people guessing, and his move to fire Mike Redmond after a 16-22 start to this season and replace him in the dugout with his general manager certainly qualified as outside the box.
Jennings' last and only experience in coaching had come at a Mobile, Ala., high school not long after his playing days ended in the mid-1980s. He broke into pro baseball as a scout and grew to be recognized among the sport's elite. He rose through the ranks with Mariners and Rays before landing with the Marlins in 2002 as vice president of player personnel.
A fixture with the team's front office ever since, he was named assistant GM in 2007 and general manager in 2013 before heeding Loria's call to move downstairs in May.
The Marlins went 55-69 during his tenure, much of which saw superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton sidelined by injury. Miami ended up finishing third in the NL East, and the next manager will be tasked with trying to put together the Marlins' first winning season since 2009.
The team also informed all of the coaches that they are free to seek employment elsewhere.
