The Miami Marlins recently announced that they plan to retain manager Don Mattingly in 2022.
Marlins GM Kim Ng announces on TV Don Mattingly's option for 2022 has been picked up and will return next season as Manager.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 8, 2021
While the Marlins are having a difficult 2021 season, the organization seemingly likes what it sees from the manager.
The decision has been met both with both positivity and negativity by fans, but ultimately, the Marlins are making the right decision.
Mattingly has had managerial success in the past, and there is reason to believe that he can do the same in Miami.
Here’s why fans should be happy about the Marlins’ choice to bring Mattingly back next year.
The 2022 Season Is Believed To Be The Final Year Of His Deal, So Retaining Him Is A Low-Risk Move
The Marlins didn’t have to make a long-term commitment by choosing to retain Mattingly for the 2022 season.
If things don’t go well next year, the team can cut ties with Mattingly and move on to someone new.
Mattingly has dealt with some extenuating circumstances throughout his tenure, and he has earned the right to get a shot at one more season.
It’s very understandable that the decision is being met with some pushback, but again, it’s the right call.
Mattingly Hasn’t Exactly Gotten A Fair Shot At Producing Good Results
Mattingly certainly hasn’t been given the best opportunity to produce attractive results.
Since he became Miami’s manager prior to the 2016 season, the franchise has lost a plethora of talent.
Among them, Jose Fernandez, who tragically lost his life in a boating accident, Christian Yelich, who was traded, Giancarlo Stanton, who was traded, J.T. Realmuto, who was traded, Marcell Ozuna, who was traded, Dee Gordon, who was traded, Chris Paddack, who was traded, Luis Castillo, who was traded, Domingo German, who was traded, and Anthony DeSclafani, who was traded.
Wow.
Many of those moves are regrettable, and considering the amount of talent that was traded away, the Marlins are likely frustrated that they don’t have more to show for it today.
Congratulations to the Miami Marlins, who are the 1st team to trade back-to-back MVP winners in baseball history with Christian Yelich winning a year after Giancarlo Stanton
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 16, 2018
Mattingly has had to get through some difficult seasons with some very untalented teams.
He has only produced one winning season over his five with the team (excluding the current one), but that obviously doesn’t tell the whole story.
The fact that he led the team to the postseason in 2020 during the COVID-shortened season was a big accomplishment, and doing so likely played a role in the organization’s decision to give him another shot next year.
Wrap-Up
The 2021 Marlins are 38-48.
That’s the worst record in the National League East.
Fans got a taste of the postseason in 2021, but they’re itching for more.
It might not happen this season, but perhaps Mattingly can guide the organization to the promised land in 2022.
After all, he made the Los Angeles Dodgers a perennial contender during his time there.
Over Mattingly’s first two seasons with the Dodgers, the club came up short of a playoff bid.
But over the next three campaigns, he guided LA to the playoffs each season.
The Marlins are certainly hoping for a similar outcome from Mattingly during his tenure in Miami.
NEXT: Have The Miami Marlins Been Unlucky So Far In 2021?