Despite a season that far exceeded expectations, the
Florida Marlins will move quickly this week to dismiss manager Joe Girardi and name a successor, a source familiar with the Marlins situation told ESPN Insider's Jerry Crasnick.
According to the source, the chances are "99 out of 100" that Girardi's replacement will be Braves third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez.
Girardi's firing could come at a Tuesday morning meeting with Marlins management, according to a report on MLB.com.
One reason the Marlins want to act quickly on naming Girardi's successor? The Nationals. Former Atlanta executive Stan Kasten, now president of the Nats, is looking for a replacement for manager Frank Robinson and is expected to consider hiring Gonzalez.
Girardi has said repeatedly over the last several weeks that he still hopes to fulfill the full terms of the three-year contract he signed before the season.
"I came here to do a job," he said last week. "I love what these kids have accomplished, and I'd like to see it through."
Players have also taken a liking to Girardi and his managerial style.
"This has been one of the most fun years I've ever had at the major league level," reliever
Matt Herges, at 36 the Marlins' oldest player, said last week. "The coaching staff has been incredible -- in a good way. I'll look back on this year fondly for the rest of my life."
Girardi, who won three World Series rings as a catcher for the
New York Yankees, is considered a strong candidate for NL manager of the year. With the lowest payroll in the major leagues, the Marlins were widely projected to lose more than 100 games. They started 11-31, then became the first club in major league history to climb above .500 after being 20 games under. After a late slide, the club finished at 78-84.
Girardi's job security has been questioned because of a strained relationship with owner Jeffrey Loria. A much-publicized rift between the men erupted at a game Aug. 6, when Loria berated an umpire while sitting behind the plate. From the dugout, Girardi told or asked the owner to stop, witnesses said. Loria angrily left his seat and confronted Girardi after the game during a 90-minute clubhouse meeting.
Loria wouldn't endorse Girardi when he finally addressed the matter three weeks later.
On Sunday, Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest was complimentary of the team's play this year, but did not specifically endorse Girardi.
"I think this team was prepared to play," Beinfest said. "They played hard every day. I think there was a winning attitude instilled here, and this team won a lot of games. "I think Joe and his staff deserve a lot of credit for that. I would have to say, as far as the game managing, I thought it was good. Joe's a rookie and there can always be rookie mistakes. There can always be Monday-morning quarterbacking, but I think he did a good job."
