The Marlins have informed the commissioner’s office that Bobby Valentine is out of the running to replace Fredi Gonzalez, a major-league source told FOX Sports.
Valentine said on ESPN Sunday night he was still “in the process” with the Marlins. Another source with knowledge of his situation said he was “definitely in talks” with the team.
If the former Mets manager indeed is out of the Marlins’ plans, it would represent a stunning turnaround for a franchise that had seemingly every intention of hiring him.
Even the impasse between Valentine and the Marlins is generating conflicting accounts.
One source said the talks between the two sides broke down not over Valentine’s salary desires, but philosophical differences.
Others suggested the Marlins are engaged in an internal conflict, with owner Jeffrey Loria advocating Valentine’s hiring and club president David Samon opposing it.
The volatility of both Valentine and Loria creates at least the possibility of a reversal.
Interim manager Edwin Rodriguez, the first Puerto Rican-born manager, will remain manager for the Marlins’ series against the Mets in Puerto Rico.
The Marlins have interviewed Rodriguez and Diamondbacks’ third-base coach Bo Porter for the position previously held by Gonzalez.
Valentine, currently an ESPN analyst, had been the front-runner to replace Gonzalez, whom the Marlins fired last Wednesday.