The Miami Marlins have decided to part ways with Skip Schumaker, who was named the NL Manager of the Year in 2023, ending his two-season tenure with the team.
During Schumaker’s time as the Marlins’ manager, the team had a record of 146-178. He was hired as the franchise’s 16th manager in 2022 on a two-year contract with a club option for the 2025 season, which was ultimately voided by the team earlier this year.
In his first season with the Marlins, Schumaker guided the team to their first playoff appearance in a non-pandemic year since 2003. Despite a negative 57 run differential, the Marlins made the postseason but were swept by the Phillies in the NL wild-card series.
Following significant changes in the Marlins’ front office in the offseason, including parting ways with general manager Kim Ng, the team’s success in 2023 did not carry over to the following season. The Marlins started the 2023 season with a franchise-worst 0-9 record, leading to trades and a fan protest over the team’s direction.
Despite challenges throughout the Marlins’ season, Schumaker remained hopeful for a turnaround. The team finished the season with a 62-100 record, missing key players like 2022 Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and others due to injuries.
The Marlins have begun another rebuild, trading away veteran players with substantial salaries for prospects. Notable trades included sending star center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees and dealing players like Josh Bell, Bryan De La Cruz, Tanner Scott, and Bryan Hoeing.
Schumaker, a former player for World Series-winning teams in St. Louis in 2006 and 2011, joined the Marlins after serving as the Cardinals’ bench coach in 2022. Prior to that, he was a coach with the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The departure of Schumaker adds to the list of managers who have come and gone in Miami, with Don Mattingly being the only manager in the team’s 32-year history to lead for more than four seasons, from 2016 to 2022.
