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A fixture on the Marlins’ major league coaching staff the last four seasons, Joe Espada is going back to his player development roots.
A source confirmed the Marlins have reassigned Espada from the big league staff, on which he served as third-base and outfield/base running coach, to manage Class-A Jupiter. The source said the Marlins see Espada as a future managerial candidate and approached him about getting some experience in the minors.
What the Marlins have planned for Andy Haines, who’s managed in the system five years, including the last two in Jupiter, is unclear.
The Marlins also may be looking to add an ex-outfielder to the big league staff. A former second round pick of the Oakland Athletics (1996), Espada was exclusively an infielder during his 10-year professional career.
During his first four seasons in the organization, Espada served as Class-A Greensboro hitting coach (2006), Jupiter hitting coach (2007) and minor league infield coordinator (2008-09). Espada was named to the big league staff following the 2009 season. He worked under four managers: Fredi Gonzalez, Edwin Rodriguez, Ozzie Guillen and Mike Redmond.
Don’t be surprised if Espada never puts on a Hammerheads’ uniform. One scout earlier this season said he wouldn’t be surprised if teams with managerial openings sought permission to interview Espada this offseason. The scout said Espada got good visibility while on Rodriguez’s Team Puerto Rico staff during the World Baseball Classic. A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Espada in the scout’s estimation is up there with guys like Sandy Alomar Jr. and Jose Oquendo as far as Latin managerial prospects.
While some teams may deem Espada, 38, a little green for a managerial gig, bank on multiple organizations courting him for their big league coaching staffs. Espada does reside in Jupiter and has a young daughter, so that could factor into whether he goes elsewhere to remain in the majors.
Espada could not be reached.
A source confirmed the Marlins have reassigned Espada from the big league staff, on which he served as third-base and outfield/base running coach, to manage Class-A Jupiter. The source said the Marlins see Espada as a future managerial candidate and approached him about getting some experience in the minors.
What the Marlins have planned for Andy Haines, who’s managed in the system five years, including the last two in Jupiter, is unclear.
The Marlins also may be looking to add an ex-outfielder to the big league staff. A former second round pick of the Oakland Athletics (1996), Espada was exclusively an infielder during his 10-year professional career.
During his first four seasons in the organization, Espada served as Class-A Greensboro hitting coach (2006), Jupiter hitting coach (2007) and minor league infield coordinator (2008-09). Espada was named to the big league staff following the 2009 season. He worked under four managers: Fredi Gonzalez, Edwin Rodriguez, Ozzie Guillen and Mike Redmond.
Don’t be surprised if Espada never puts on a Hammerheads’ uniform. One scout earlier this season said he wouldn’t be surprised if teams with managerial openings sought permission to interview Espada this offseason. The scout said Espada got good visibility while on Rodriguez’s Team Puerto Rico staff during the World Baseball Classic. A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Espada in the scout’s estimation is up there with guys like Sandy Alomar Jr. and Jose Oquendo as far as Latin managerial prospects.
While some teams may deem Espada, 38, a little green for a managerial gig, bank on multiple organizations courting him for their big league coaching staffs. Espada does reside in Jupiter and has a young daughter, so that could factor into whether he goes elsewhere to remain in the majors.
Espada could not be reached.
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joked a few weeks ago that he'd be the next manager after Redmond gets canned and I do still believe that
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also how depressing is it that he made the majors in 09 and has coached under 4 Marlins managers. Ridiculous.
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