Miami, FL

The Miami Marlins have dismissed manager Ozzie Guillen, after finishing last in the National League East with a 69-93 record despite starting the season with a talent-laden lineup.

"After careful consideration following the disappointment of the 2012 season, we decided to dismiss Ozzie," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said. "Our managerial search begins immediately and our hope is that a new manager, along with roster improvements, will restore a winning culture."

The Marlins were expected to contend after grabbing some big names from the free-agent market during the offseason, including shortstop Jose Reyes, left-hander Mark Buehrle and closer Heath Bell.

Known for being talkative, Guillen ran into controversy early into his tenure as Marlins manager for praising Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in a magazine interview. He was suspended by the team for five games.

The controversial Guillen has a career managerial record of 747-710 in nine seasons, eight of which were in Chicago, when he led the White Sox to the 2005 World Series championship.

Despite having a talented cast, the Marlins struggled for the majority of the season, forcing management to trade some of their key pieces, including Hanley Ramirez, Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez.

Ramirez, a three-time All-Star and former National League batting champion, was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers while Infante and Sanchez were sent to the Detroit Tigers.

Last week, the Marlins traded to Bell to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league prospect Yordy Cabrera.

The trade frees up some money for the Marlins, who signed Bell to a three-year, $27 million contract last year. The Diamondbacks will pick up $13 million of the remaining $21 million owed to Bell through 2014.

Copyright © 2012 AHN - All Rights Reserved