Gonzalez agrees two-year extension with Marlins

MIAMI (Reuters) - Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez will head into Spring training with a new contract after agreeing a two-year extension on Tuesday.

"It''s a great way to kick off Spring training and well deserved by Fredi," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told the team''s website (http://florida.marlins.mlb.com).

"Obviously, the 84 wins a year ago and the club improvement is part of it. We see great things in the future."

Last season Gonzalez guided the young Marlins to a record of 84-77, keeping them in post-season contention in mid-September.

In two seasons in South Beach, Gonzalez has posted a record of 155-168.

"I think continuity and stability is big," said Gonzalez, who needs 87 wins to surpass Jack McKeon as the Marlins'' most successful manager. "As long as we''re going in the right direction.

"You see all the successful organizations who have won championships in football, baseball, basketball -- there is stability there.

"Players need to know that, and have that. But the bottom line is you still have to win ball games and win championships."

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing Ed Osmond)