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Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings moved back to front office

By The Sports Xchange
Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings (26). Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI
Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings (26). Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo

Dan Jennings, a seasoned baseball man in terms of scouting and personnel, is going back to the job he knows best in the Miami Marlins' front office.

Jennings replaced Mike Redmond as manager when the Marlins got off to a 16-22 start.

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"We want a leader that will help this talented young core to the next level," Marlins president of baseball operations Mike Hill said Tuesday.

Jennings said at the end of the season he liked the way the team was playing. Second baseman Dee Gordon, acquired by Jennings from the Dodgers, won the National League batting title (.333) and also was first in the league with 58 steals. The last player to win both titles in the same season was Jackie Robinson in 1949.

Jennings, an incredibly upbeat man, ran into bigger problems.

The chemistry was bad in some cases -- notably right-hander Mat Latos. The closer, Steve Cishek, went from reliable to terrible seemingly overnight. The center fielder, Marcell Ozuna, showed up overweight and was soon sent to the minors, his season ruined. This was a mess everywhere you turned, and the Marlins finished out of the playoffs for the 21st time in 23 years as a franchise.

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The right general manager and a respected manager are likely needed to get the Marlins headed in the right direction.

"We have a great core," Jennings has said repeatedly this year.

The Marlins didn't determine a role for Jennings this week, leaving open the possibility that he could turn up with another team.

The team announced outfielder Ichiro Suzuki signed a one-year contract for 2016.

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