MIAMI — By most measurements, the Florida Marlins overachieved in 2009.

They finished six games out of first place in the NL East with baseball’s smallest payroll. They were 12 games above .500 while outscoring opponents by six runs. They had the third-best record in franchise history even though four of their five starting pitchers performed below expectations.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez’s job is in jeopardy anyway.
Owner Jeffrey Loria is upset the team failed to make the playoffs, and the Marlins have declined to say whether Gonzalez will return next year, even though he received a contract extension through 2011 just eight months ago.
ESPN.com reported Saturday that Bobby Valentine, an analyst for the network and a former major league manager, is talking with the Marlins about a job. Valentine managed the Texas Rangers when Loria owned that organization’s Triple-A team in Oklahoma in 1989-92.
A decision is expected later this week. Loria and team president David Samson didn’t return phone calls seeking comment Monday.
During the season-ending series in Philadelphia last weekend, general manager Larry Beinfest offered a mixed critique of the season, but none of his criticism was directed toward Gonzalez. Instead, Beinfest praised the Marlins’ effort and resilience, traits often considered the reflection of a manager.
“Their attitude, will and fight every day enabled them to win (87) games,” Beinfest said.
They did it with a payroll of $37 million, while the division rival Mets, for example, finished 17 games behind Florida despite a payroll of $136 million.
Beinfest said the Marlins were too inconsistent with their starting pitching and offense, but the bullpen was a pleasant surprise and the bench was a strength.
“I don’t want to sound like we’re terribly disappointed or unhappy, because that’s not the case,” Beinfest said.
However, Samson said Loria is displeased. And the owner is known for acting quickly when it comes to changing managers.
Loria replaced Jeff Torborg with Jack McKeon in May 2003, when the Marlins began an improbable run to the World Series title. In 2006, Joe Girardi was fired after only one season, and shortly before he was chosen NL manager of the year.
Girardi brought a drill-sergeant approach to the job, while Gonzalez’s low-key personality makes him more of a players’ manager. Valentine would be another drill sergeant.
Valentine led the Mets to the World Series in 2000, where they lost to the Yankees. But he reached the postseason only twice in 15 years with the Rangers and Mets.
His career record is 1,117-1,072. Gonzalez, who has won the most games of any Marlins manager, is 242-243. In his three seasons, the team has improved from 71 wins to 84 to 87.
Organizational meetings this week will address more than the future of Gonzalez and the coaching staff. Decisions must be made about how to pare payroll to meet Loria’s perennially tight budget.
One keeper is right-hander Josh Johnson, up for arbitration after making $1.4 million this year, when he went 15-5. Beinfest didn’t rule out the possibility of offering Johnson a multiyear deal, a rarity for the thrifty Marlins.
“We don’t have a hard philosophy on multiyears,” Beinfest said. “We take them as they come. We’ll see on J.J. ... We think he’s going to be one of the top pitchers in this league for quite a while.”
NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez is under contract through 2014 and going nowhere. But second baseman Dan Uggla, due for a hefty raise to perhaps $8 million, will likely be allowed to depart via free agency, as will first baseman Nick Johnson and right fielder Jeremy Hermida.
Right-hander Ricky Nolasco, infielder Jorge Cantu and outfielder Cody Ross are on the bubble and would be costly to keep.
“Nobody knows what can happen,” Ross said. “They could bring a lot of guys back, or a lot of guys could be gone.”
Surprisingly, those departing could include the manager.