SI.com’s Jon Heyman is reporting that Bobby Valentine is going to be the next manager of the Florida Marlins.
A source close to the team has told Heyman that the Marlins have a tentative deal with the former Rangers and Mets skipper.
It is being reported that Valentine could take over managerial duties as early as Monday. That is when the Marlins will be beginning a three-game series at home against his old team—the New York Mets.
ESPN previously reported that the Marlins were prepared to offer Valentine a four-year contract to manage the team.
The Marlins job became available after the team fired Fredi Gonzalez on Wednesday. That same day, Valentine withdrew his name from consideration for the Baltimore Orioles’ vacancy.
He’s coming into a familiar situation, having managed in the NL East for seven seasons from 1996-2002.
He’ll also be taking over a competitive Florida Marlins team. They are 35-37 and only six-and-a-half games behind Atlanta for the division lead.
Oh, and the Marlins are getting a fancy new stadium in 2012 equipped with a retractable roof and an aquarium behind home plate.
Valentine isn’t the only winner in the deal.
The Marlins are getting a veteran manager with a winning record (1,117-1,072) and a World Series appearance.
Not too bad.
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