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Ex-Dodgers manager Mattingly reels in Marlins skipper job: reports

October 29, 2015
In this Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly speaks during a news conference before Game 3 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the New York Mets in New York. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Don Mattingly is out as manager of the Dodgers. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, because the team has not announced his departure. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

In this Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly speaks during a news conference before Game 3 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the New York Mets in New York. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Don Mattingly is out as manager of the Dodgers. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, because the team has not announced his departure. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

By Brian Han

It’s been awhile since the public has seen a genuine smile on Don Mattingly’s face, but he might have more of a reason to after he moves to South Beach.

The ex-Los Angeles Dodgers manager stepped down from the position on Oct. 22 soon after the World Series-bound New York Mets knocked his then-team out of the playoffs.

He interviewed with the Miami Marlins, and was hired in less than a week according to ESPN.

After working with a squad that boasted the highest payroll in the league at $270 million, transitioning to the Marlins will be like flipping everything upside down.

The Marlins have a payroll of about $69 million, and things will most likely stay that way heading into the next season.

Maybe the 54-year-old skipper is tired of being in Hollywood’s spotlight. Or maybe he’s had enough of dealing with a young front office that’s heavily reliant on sabermetrics.

Either way, the Marlins can really only improve from their position on 2015 as the team with the seventh worst record in the league.

With young stars like slugger Giancarlo Stanton and ace Jose Fernandez, the team could certainly accomplish a lot more under Mattingly’s guidance.

He will be succeeding the general-manager-turned-manager Dan Jennings who received waves of criticism from fans and analysts last season.

During his time with the Dodgers, Mattingly went 446-363 over five seasons and won three consecutive National League West titles in the past three years.

In other baseball news, Bud Black will be taking on the role of manager with the Washington Nationals after almost a decade with the San Diego Padres.