Don Mattingly, Miami Marlins Agree to Contract

The Miami Marlins and Don Mattingly have agreed on a contract to make him the next manager. Mattingly interviewed on Monday and was considered highly likely to get the job.

In five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers he was 446-363 and led the club to the last three National League West titles. Inability to advance past the NLCS in 2013 and two consecutive exits in the NLDS– along with visible friction in the clubhouse and front office– doomed his tenure in Los Angeles.

Mattingly’s deal with the Marlins is reportedly for four years. He’ll step into a much different situation than the one he departed. Miami’s payroll was less than a third of the Dodgers’ payroll last season.

That said, the team has some pieces. Pitcher Jose Fernandez is among the best in the game and Giancarlo Stanton is a perennial MVP candidate if he stays healthy. It will be an uphill battle to keep pace with the New York Mets and Washington Nationals. Perhaps a big name like Mattingly provides a little stability. He’ll become the eighth manager since 2010. Stopping that revolving door at the top seems like a good way to stop the dizziness of losing and find the right track.