The Miami Marlins and the Washington Nationals were supposed to surprise the National League East this year. They did! But in very different ways. The Marlins were awful, for example. They had a Showtime crew recording their every move, and a psychedelic new stadium ... but after a few months, no one could even care. They just sunk into oblivion.

So it's only mildly surprising that the Marlins fired Ozzie Guillen on Tuesday. From a Marlins press release:

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

Ozzie's tenure with the Marlins started with him appreciating Fidel Castro's badassery, which is generally a bad idea in Florida. He taunted Bryce Harper for some reason, and he took to the radio to lambaste Heath Bell. You know, Ozzie Guillen stuff.

Still, the Marlins had him under contract for three more years and $7.5 million. The Marlins also gave up two minor leaguers as compensation to the White Sox: Ozzie Martinez and Jhan Marinez. Martinez is already out of the organization, while the hard-throwing Marinez had a cup of coffee with the White Sox in September, and is a decent relief prospect.