The Miami Marlins once again are making headlines for the wrong reason.
The Miami Herald reports the Marlins had previously filed a grievance because former general manager/manager Dan Jennings is only making $100,000 in his new role as special assistant with the Washington Nationals.
The Marlins owed Jennings $1.5 million after firing him at the end of last season, and after his hiring by the Nationals, would owe him the difference in salaries. They believe Jennings’ salary is too low for someone in that role and basically, they filed the grievance because they believe the Nationals aren’t paying Jennings enough in an attempt to force the Marlins to pay more of that $1.5 million balance.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told the Washington Post that things have been settled.
It’s an old grievance, and it has been settled,” Rizzo said. “That’s all the comment I have.”
The move isn’t the least bit surprising.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is notoriously cheap and often pinches pennies in regards to his on-field product. It’s why whenever the Marlins sign a big name free agent, you can expect them to be traded as soon as their contract spikes. This is the man who deceived Miami taxpayers into paying over $2 billion (when all is said and done) for a new, ridiculous stadium. If there’s a way he can sleazily make some money without spending it, Loria will always pursue that option. It’s no different here.
The Marlins owned Jennings $1.5 million when they fired him, and shouldn’t expect to get a discount on that decision because he found another job. Yes, the contract should be prorated to his new salary, but the Marlins should have no say in what he makes in his next job – if he’s comfortable with accepting a salary of $100,000, then so be it. It’s not as if he’s making $5.
Loria is baseball’s ultimate cheapskate.