Report: Bonds out as Marlins hitting coach

The Barry Bonds era in Miami has reportedly come to an abrupt end.

Bonds, baseball's embattled home run king who was hired last offseason to mentor young boppers Giancarlo Stanton and Marcel Ozuna, will not return as hitting coach of the Miami Marlins, sources told Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball on Monday.

The move headlined a significant shakeup for the Marlins, who also let go of third-base coach Lenny Harris and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. The Marlins (79-82) finished third in the NL East, missing the playoffs for the 13th straight season despite ranking second in their league with a .263 average in Bonds' only season as hitting coach.

Offensively, the club performed solidly this season, particularly Ozuna and Christian Yelich, who both enjoyed bounce-back campaigns under the tutelage of Bonds. On the surface, Bonds appeared to be a future mainstay in the Marlins' clubhouse, frequently shown on broadcasts laughing and encouraging the young Marlins players.

Reports out of Miami painted a less positive picture.

According to MLB Network Radio's Craig Mish, Bonds was called out this summer by manager Don Mattingly, who grew increasingly frustrated with a commitment level that had "dwindled." Bonds was reportedly also openly critical of Stanton, who "tuned out" the seven-time MVP according to Mish.

Bonds' dismissal was apparently made after owner Jeffrey Loria, believed to be his only ally in the organization, finally signed off on letting him go.

Monday's coaching shuffle follows an emotional week for the Marlins after the tragic death of All-Star pitcher Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a boating accident Sept. 25.