MIAMI — Thanks to a managerial shuffle Tuesday, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria can now yell at umpires with the skipper's approval.
The Marlins fired Joe Girardi and five hours later introduced as his replacement Fredi Gonzalez, third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves the past four years. Girardi's departure after only one season had been expected after his rift with Loria boiled over two months ago in an on-field confrontation over the owner's heckling of an umpire.
Gonzalez, 42, interviewed with the Marlins a year ago after Jack McKeon resigned but finished runner-up to Girardi. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Gonzalez became the first manager in the Marlins' organization when they hired him to run their first minor league team in Erie, Pa., in 1992.
"It's a long way from Erie, man," a smiling Gonzalez said at a news conference. "I hope I'm here for a lot of years."
Gonzalez said he has no problem with the owner razzing umps.
"If he wants to yell, he can yell," he said. "He paid for the team. He has the most expensive seat in the stadium."
The Marlins decided to fire Girardi not because of the umpire incident but because he failed to mesh with others in the organization, general manager Larry Beinfest said.
"Joe is not returning because it was not a good fit," Beinfest said. "I will take some of that blame. I'm in charge, and it's my job to make sure everything runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible."
The cost-conscious Marlins wanted Girardi out so badly they were willing to let him go with two years left on a guaranteed three-year contract, which may cost them as much as $1.5 million. Florida made the move even though Girardi is considered a strong candidate for NL manager of the year.
The Marlins had baseball's youngest team and lowest payroll at $15 million, but Girardi led them to a 78-84 record, and they were in contention for a playoff berth until a late-September fade.
Girardi said he was fired during a short, unemotional meeting in his office with general manager Larry Beinfest, assistant general manager Mike Hill and team president David Samson.
"They came in and said, 'We're going to make a change,"' Girardi said. He said no reason was given, and he didn't ask for one.
COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST ROGERS: Detroit police were interviewing witnesses to find out what happened between Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers and a man who filed a complaint against him after an incident near Comerica Park.
Rogers was driving out of a parking structure near the ballpark after Saturday night's loss to Kansas City when a man started beating on Rogers' car, Detroit police spokeswoman Yvette Walker said Tuesday.
She said Rogers got out and exchanged words with the man, who wanted an autograph. The man told officers that Rogers grabbed him by the collar and had to be restrained, but multiple witnesses said there was no physical contact, Walker said. Rogers got back in his car and drove away.
TRIBE PICKS UP OPTIONS: The Cleveland Indians quickly took care of some business following a disappointing season by exercising contract options for 2007 on steady starter Jake Westbrook and utilityman Casey Blake on Tuesday.
The club also declined a mutual option with third baseman Aaron Boone, making him eligible for free agency.
RED SOX, O'S COMPLETE TRADE: The Boston Red Sox sent outfielder Adam Stern to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, essentially completing the trade that brought catcher Javy Lopez to Boston in August. Stern batted .258 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 93 games at Triple-A Pawtucket.
PHILLIES LET 3 COACHES GO: The Philadelphia Phillies let go three coaches on Tuesday, an indication manager Charlie Manuel will keep his job for another year.
First-base coach Marc Bombard, third-base coach Bill Dancy and bench coach Gary Varsho didn't have their contracts renewed two days after the Phillies finished 85-77 and narrowly missed the playoffs for the second straight year.