The Marlins are staying the course with manager Don Mattingly.
Miami will announce Friday that it has agreed to a contract extension with the veteran skipper, according to reports Thursday by Extrabase’s Daniel Alvarez-Montes and the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson and Jordan McPherson. Terms were not known.
Mattingly, 58, is wrapping up his fourth season with the Marlins and his second season as the on-field leader of Miami’s massive rebuilding project. He has guided the club to a 53-99 record this year and a 272-364 mark (.428 winning percentage) overall. His current contract was set to expire after the season.
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The Herald’s report noted that Marlins management, which includes team CEO Derek Jeter, values Mattingly’s even temperament and patience while working with a young, inexperienced (and mostly low-paid) roster. A young core began to emerge this year with right-hander Sandy Alcantara, third baseman/right fielder Brian Anderson, catcher Jorge Alfaro and second baseman Isan Diaz. Anderson was drafted by the Marlins; the other three arrived in trades that sent Marcell Ozuna, J.T. Realmuto and Christian Yelich, respectively, out of South Florida.
A new wave of youngsters is expected to reach Marlins Park in the next season or two. Among the top anticipated arrivals: pitchers Sixto Sanchez and Jorge Guzman, and outfielders Monte Harrison and Jesus Sanchez. All four were acquired in trades.
Mattingly told reporters in August (per the Herald) that he was eager to stay with the Marlins beyond 2019 if they wanted to keep him around. Jeter said at the time that the manager’s status would be addressed “sooner rather than later.”
Mattingly came to Miami after a five-year run as Dodgers manager (2011-15). He led LA to the first three of the franchise’s seven consecutive NL West championships before being replaced by Dave Roberts.
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