The Marlins are continuing to look around at new managerial candidates even as current skipper Dan Jennings finishes out the season. Of course, the former GM has reportedly been offered a chance to return to the front office after the year. Regardless of what happens there, Miami owner Jeffrey Loria and his staff are reportedly aiming to find a new hire with previous experience as a big league skipper, and the names they’ve been connected with reflect that predilection.
Here’s the latest:
- Bo Porter has interviewed for the Marlins’ managerial post, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The former Astros skipper has been the Braves’ third base coach this season and held that role for the Marlins over 2007 to 2009. Porter also has spent time with the Nationals and Diamondbacks in recent years. While he never meshed in Houston, Porter had been one of the more highly-regarded, younger coaches in the game prior to taking that gig and is still just 43 years of age.
- Manny Acta is the only other candidate to have interviewed, at least so far as has been reported. He, too, has experience as a MLB skipper — with the Nationals and Indians — despite being a fairly youthful candidate at 46 years of age. Acta’s ability to communicate in both Spanish and English is also said to represent an important factor.
- The hiring effort is expected to be “extensive,” per Heyman, which seems to suggest that multiple other names could arise. Veteran skipper Dusty Baker has reportedly drawn interest from Miami, though we’ve yet to hear indication that he has been brought in for an interview.
I like Bo Porter. Wouldn’t mind seeing him get a shot, although he probably won’t have anything to work with.
He’ll have Stanton and Fernandez. That’s way more than what he had in Houston.
I like Bo too. He was good with the Nationals and built the foundation for that Astros team.
Bo Porter is a master chess player. Of all of the sports, baseball requires strategic decisions with every change in pitch count. Bo didn’t succeed in Houston, but from having a front row seat, it wasn’t Bo’s fault. He is a great leader, a great thinker and a great teacher of men. The only thing he needed was talent and a GM that actually understand the mentality of the players rather than just analytics. My only reservation about the Marlins hiring him is that many of us want him back in Houston!
Would love to see Porter get another chance!!!
The Marlins would be wise to get Bo now as he is one of the most brilliant strategic, “true baseball guys” out there! He is beloved by his players and the fans!
I would like to see Rick Renteria’s name tossed into the proverbial hat. He’s bilingual and deserves another shot at managing.
Really smart move for Marlins looking at Porter. Given real players and some front office support Porter could take this team to the World Series.
The Marlins better wise up and take Porter now before the Nats fire Matt Williams and come calling. Was has way more talent for a talented manager like Porter to work with!
Makes me wonder how desperate Dusty Baker would be to get back to managing if he were to subject himself to working for that basket-case Loria!
There is a delicate balance between growing a program while understanding the urgency of producing caliber ball club. Porter’s skipper experience, gives the Marlins the best shot at changing the culture of the Marlins organization.
There is a delicate balance with growing a program while understanding the urgency of producing a winning ball club. Porter gives the Marlins the best shot at changing the culture of the Mariners organization into a contender.
Bo has a great passion for the game and he would bring energy to a clubhouse that really needs it. He has great coaching experience and has worked and learned from some of the best. The Marlins would be smart to hire him.