MIAMI (AP) _ Short on pitching all season, the Marlins are now
looking for a pitching coach.
The organization sought to retain Rick Kranitz for next season,
but he wanted to explore other options, general manager Larry
Beinfest said Monday. Kranitz won't be with the team for its final
six games.
Bullpen coach Steve Foster will be pitching coach for the final
week. The rest of manager Fredi Gonzalez's staff will return next
season, Beinfest said.
Florida is last in the National League with a 4.98 ERA, in part
because the rotation has been plagued by injuries. Josh Johnson,
Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco _ who combined for 33 wins as
rookies in 2006 _ missed most of the season, and starters Dontrelle
Willis and Scott Olsen have had disappointing years.
Kranitz has been pitching coach the past two years and was
offered a raise to return in 2008, Beinfest said.
``We thought Kranny did a good job and we thought it was
appropriate for him to come back,'' Beinfest said. ``He said he was
not prepared to make a decision. He wanted to explore other options,
so we decided to move on.''
Before joining the Marlins, Kranitz coached in the Chicago Cubs'
organization for 22 years.
