Porter new frontrunner?
If the Marlins indeed are turning their search away from Bobby Valentine, the new frontrunner may be Bo Porter.
Porter, now Arizona’s third base coach, interviewed for the Florida job last Saturday. From 2007-09, he was the Marlins third base/outfield coach.
Jon Heyman of SI.com reported late Monday that the Marlins are seriously considering Porter. There are strong indications that the team is internally is giving the prospect strong consideration.
Porter is looked upon as a candidate who will bring energy to the job. He was respected by the players in his three seasons as a coach, and he has a little more seasoning coaching at the big league level than Edwin Rodriguez.
Rodriguez was named interim manager when Fredi Gonzalez was dismissed on June 23. The first Puerto Rican-born manager in MLB history, Rodriguez has been well received in Puerto Rico where the Marlins are facing the Mets in a three-game series in San Juan.
Rodriguez interviewed for the job on Saturday, and he remains in the mix. The process has no time line, but Porter may have the inside edge, if the field is down to Porter and Rodriguez, who previously was the Triple-A New Orleans manager.
Talks between the Marlins and Valentine broke down on Sunday, and it is unclear if there is any chance of both sides getting together. In the meantime, Porter is definitely a strong candidate for the full-time job.
The organization has had no comment on the managerial search.
— Joe Frisaro