Dan Jennings Will Not Return as Miami Marlins Manager in 2016

The Miami Marlins once again finished at the bottom of the National League East and have decided to make a change at manager.

Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill confirmed Dan Jennings would not be in the dugout in 2016 on Tuesday, via Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Hill added Jennings was asked to return as general manager but has not decided yet.

However, Marlins president David Samson said Jennings is a "signed member" of the team's front office and is the general manager, per Spencer.

On Oct. 3, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported assistant general manager Mike Berger will be promoted to a "GM-type role," and because of that, Jennings' future with the front office is uncertain. 

"As [the] Marlins meet today to determine [the] direction of [the] front office, keep in mind that [owner Jeffrey] Loria pays Jennings and his other top employees quite well," tweeted Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports on Sept 4. "Seems doubtful that Loria would completely marginalize Jennings while paying him big [dollars]," he added. "Also seems doubtful that Jennings would walk away."

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports corroborated Spencer's report Sept. 2 and noted the team was looking for an "experienced" manager, such as the Dodgers' Don Mattingly. 

Jennings has not been dealt the most fortunate hand this season. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton was leading the majors with 27 home runs before he was hit by a pitch that fractured his wrist at the end of June, forcing him to undergo surgery, per SI.com.

The Marlins had the second-worst offense in the league with just 613 runs scored. Jennings has watched his team and his chances of staying a manager crash and burn.

The lack of productivity has made things difficult in the manager's relationship with Loria, per Spencer on Sept. 1: "Sources said the relationship between Jennings and Loria has become increasingly strained over the course of the team's disappointing season. Jennings could return to the front office, but not necessarily as general manager." 

However, Jennings does have prospects elsewhere, with Spencer passing along word of Philadelphia's interest in him for its vacant general manager post Sept. 11, a day after the franchise parted ways with Ruben Amaro Jr. 

It might be best for Jennings and Miami to go their separate ways. This kind of season is tough on a fairly inexperienced roster that has the eighth-youngest average age in the majors. The Marlins need a fresh look and healthy stars if they want to make a run toward relevancy in the National League, and a new influence in the clubhouse could provide a spark that makes this team a threat in the future. 

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.