Guillen Open to Managing Marlins

Former Florida 3B coach says "It would be an honor to manage the Marlins"

He is still under contract with the Chicago White Sox, but Ozzie Guillen said this week he would be open to managing the Florida Marlins should Chicago fire him.

Guillen, who was the third base coach on the Marlins' 2003 World Series team, said in an interview with Graham Besinger of Yahoo Sports this week, "If it's time for me to go to the Marlins, I will go with a lot of class." He added, "It would be an honor to manage the Marlins."

Guillen preceded that statement with "I'm happy where I am," hoping not to alienate his current bosses.

Though he led the team to a World Series title in 2005, Guillen and White Sox management have been at odds plenty of times during his 8-year tenure. The team is currently five games under .500 and well out of reach of a playoff spot.

Chicago picked up a 2012 option on Guillen's contract before the 2011 season, but that is no guarantee they will keep him around for next year.

"If the White Sox don't want me to be with the White Sox anymore, then we'll think about something else."

Guillen almost became the Marlins manager last year, when the team reportedly proposed a trade with Chicago that would have sent slugging outfielder Mike Stanton to the White Sox in exchange for Guillen.

Thankfully for Marlins fans, the trade never got off the ground, and Florida was able to keep their budding power hitter.

The Marlins denied ever having those discussions, but team owner Jeffrey Loria is reputed to be a fan of Guillen, and current manager Jack McKeon said last month Guillen would "be an ideal fit" for Florida.

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