JUPITER, Fla. -- Bobby Valentine says he was never offered the Florida Marlins' manager job last October, contrary to speculation at the time.
Valentine says the rumors were "an unnecessary nuisance" for him and Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez.
The Marlins' front office did little to discount the rumors at the end of last season. Owner Jeffrey Loria was disappointed the Marlins missed the playoffs, and team president David Samson would not endorse Gonzalez for guiding the team to 87 wins, third-best total in franchise history.
Valentine, who is working for ESPN, has known Loria since their days together in the Texas Rangers organization.
Valentine has managed the Texas Rangers, New York Mets and in Japan.