Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker has decided not to return for the 2025 season. After two years at the helm, Schumaker will enter free agency this winter.
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According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Schumaker informed his players after a 15-5 win against Toronto that he wouldn’t be back next season and would miss the last two games of the year.
This marked Schumaker’s final press conference as manager. He expressed strong feelings about his time with the team, stating, “It meant a lot… It was emotional because you care so much.” He emphasized the genuine connections built within the clubhouse and the importance of the relationships formed over the years.
Two-time All-Star pitcher Sandy Alcántara shared his thoughts as well, noting how Schumaker transformed the team’s mentality and culture, saying, “What Skip did last year was a lot different than the many years I’ve been here.” Alcántara, who spent the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, acknowledged the positive impact Schumaker had on the team.
Schumaker joined the Marlins in 2023, leading the team to an 83-78 record and a spot in the National League Wild Card round, where they were unfortunately swept by the Philadelphia Phillies. He also received the NL Manager of the Year award.
His departure follows the resignation of Marlins general manager Kim Ng, who played a crucial role in the team’s unexpected postseason appearance. With Ng gone, the Marlins are likely to shift into a rebuilding phase under new president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix. Schumaker’s contract included a club option for the next season.
Now available on the managerial market, Schumaker is a sought-after candidate this offseason. It’s been a difficult season for the Marlins, currently sitting at 60-100, a stark contrast to his successful previous year.
In total, Schumaker compiled a 144-178 record during his tenure as Marlins manager.
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