Marlins Interested in Mike Redmond for Manager Job: Report

Blue Jays minor league manager and former Marlin Redmond has been granted permission to talk to the Marlins

The Miami Marlins are wasting no time in searching for a replacement for fired manager Ozzie Guillen. The team will reportedly interview Mike Redmond, who played seven seasons with the Marlins, for the job.

CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that the Toronto Blue Jays have given the Marlins permission to interview Redmond, who is currently the manager of Toronto's Class A club in Dunedin. He came up with the Marlins organization, and backed up Pudge Rodriguez on the team's 2003 World Series squad.

Though he was a backup catcher for his entire career, Redmond had a reputation for handling starting pitchers well, and former catchers comprise a larger proportion of major league managers than any other position.

Redmond has only managed in Class A (one of the lowest rungs in the minors) after his playing career ended in 2010. Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Tuesday that candidates' big league managing experience (or lack thereof) is not a major priority for the Marlins.

This is a bit of an about-face for the club. After former manager Edwin Rodriguez resigned in the middle of the 2011 season, owner Jeffrey Loria said at the time he did not want to replace him with someone who has never managed at the major league level (Rodriguez had only managed in the minors before the Marlins promoted him the year before).

The team replaced Rodriguez with the ancient Jack McKeon on an interim basis, then hired Guillen, who had eight years of managing experience. Neither manager was able to reverse the team's record of underperforming.

Another important factor to consider is the fact that a less experienced manager will likely be paid much less than Guillen, who was making $2.5 million a season. The Marlins are on the hook for three more years of Guillen's salary thanks to his contract, so they may wish to save money on the new skipper.

Former Marlin third baseman Mike Lowell was rumored to be a potential candidate before Guillen was fired, but he told CBSSports.com that he is not interested in managing at this time.

"It just didn't work. A lot of money and no results," said fan Mitchell Mesa.

"We haven't won anything in a while," said Jennifer Hughs, another fan. "Horrible record. Ended up in last, even brought in new players, even doubled our pay roll and nothing to show for it."

Guillen Tweeted that he thanked his family and friends for the support.

Contact Us