Report: Marlins considered hiring Guillen, Washington as manager
The Miami Marlins' decision to make front-office executive Dan Jennings their new manager wasn't a popular choice in baseball circles.
It turns out there were at least a couple other candidates in the running who are almost just as controversial.
A report from Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports claims the Marlins debated an unlikely reunion with Ozzie Guillen as manager, in addition to the possibility of bringing in Ron Washington or Dusty Baker prior to settling on Jennings.
Guillen was fired in 2012 following just one season with the Marlins after navigating the team to a last-place finish and igniting a firestorm of controversy for comments regarding Fidel Castro. The 51-year-old hasn't managed since.
Washington, 63, recently accepted a job as an infield instructor with the Oakland Athletics after abruptly stepping down as manager of the Texas Rangers last September because he cheated on his wife.
And Baker, 65, hasn't managed since 2013 after leading the Cincinnati Reds to three 90-win seasons in four years.
Jennings, meanwhile, continues to take his lumps as he transitions down from the front office. Nightengale reports Jennings even sought the advice of former skipper Jim Leyland following a 2-8 start to his managerial career.
"I knew this was going to be scrutinized,'' Jennings said. "I definitely expected to hear some of the cynical comments. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and people want to focus on the negative.''