Bobby Valentine To The Marlins?

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Bobby Valentine is talking to the Florida Marlins about a potential spot as their manager. He writes,

At a time when Bobby Valentine has begun the process of talking with teams about a possible return as a manager in Major League Baseball, sources said he is in communication with the Florida Marlins about a possible position with that team — less than eight months after Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez received a two-year extension.

I would be shocked if this were to happen for two reasons.

First, I’ve long felt that the Marlins current manager, Fredi Gonzalez, has done a solid job of managing the Marlins since he took over for Joe Girardi, who by the way also did a heck of a job when he managed the Marlins as well. It doesn’t say much for the Marlins ownership group if they are just going to keep chewing on and spitting out good managers.

Gonzalez was named The Sporting News Manager of the Year in 2008. Gonzalez agreed to a two-year extension with the Marlins in spring training, and he is signed through the 2011 season. I just don’t see how a low market team like the Marlins would simply cut Gonzalez when they will still have to pay him for a further two years. It also begs the question, if the Marlins can do it, why haven’t the Mets let Omar Minaya go yet? Especially with recent availability of former Padres GM Kevin Towers?

Second, as a Mets fan and a huge Bobby Valentine supporter, I would be angry to seem go to a division rival. I know that Valentine may have been a polarizing figure, but he did a heck of a job while with the Mets, and had to manage the team while at the same time endure Steve Phillips who undermined him every step of the way. He was one step from winning a World Series with an outfield of Timo Perez, Benny Agbayani and Jay Payton. A truly remarkable feat in my opinion. If there is a way to get Bobby V. back we must consider it with all due haste.

Heck, I’d even consider Bobby Valentine as a general manager over Omar in addition to an obvious upgrade over Jerry Manuel.

ESPN also writes that Valentine may be a possible candidate for openings with both the Cleveland Indians and Washington.