Skip Schumaker Makes a Shift to Texas
Well, folks, it looks like Skip Schumaker is making waves in the world of baseball again, but this time, he’s taking a step back from the dugout and heading into the front office! The 43-year-old former manager of the Miami Marlins has landed a gig with the Texas Rangers as a senior advisor to president of baseball operations, Chris Young.
A New Chapter for Schumaker
After wrapping up his two-year stint as the Marlins’ manager, where he posted a record of 146 wins and 178 losses, many thought Schumaker would be a hot pick in the coaching carousel this offseason. Remember that surprise playoff run in 2023? Yeah, that didn’t quite carry over as his second year hit some bumps, especially after the team trimmed their budget significantly and said goodbye to general manager Kim Ng. You can imagine how that can be a real challenge for any manager!
By the end of his second season, Schumaker, who had a gutsy opening year, let his players know he wouldn’t be returning for the 2025 season. It was a bit of a shocker to those following the team closely. But instead of diving back into the coaching frenzy this winter, he’s opted for a role that many have found appealing—working behind the scenes and dipping his toes into the front office waters.
There’s a Plan
Of course, the idea of moving from managing games to advising executives isn’t unheard of. Lots of former coaches find the less intense environment of the front office to be a refreshing change. Who wouldn’t want a break from those stressful game days? But don’t count Schumaker out just yet; he likely is keeping an eye on future managerial opportunities. Could he be eyeing the big chair again someday? Time will tell!
The Rangers on the Move
Now, let’s talk about the Texas Rangers. They just wrapped up a **fantastic** season, clinching the 2023 World Series title with the legendary Bruce Bochy at the helm. Bochy is no spring chicken at 69, which means there’s always the chance he could decide to hang up the jersey for good in the coming years. With his age in mind, it makes sense that the Rangers would want to have someone like Schumaker on board, just in case the managerial landscape shifts dramatically.
It’s also noteworthy to mention that the Rangers aren’t just stopping at Schumaker. They are also bringing in his former bench coach from the Marlins, Luis Urueta, for their coaching staff. It seems like the Rangers are in the business of building a solid foundation, which is smart thinking!
The Coaching Carousel
This offseason has been quite the whirlwind in MLB coaching news! There were only a handful of managerial openings this year: the Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox. And in a surprising twist, the Reds managed to convince the legendary Terry Francona to come out of retirement to take the reins. Meanwhile, the White Sox snagged Will Venable to lead their team—one that’s been having a rough go lately.
As it stands, the Marlins’ job remains the only void in the managerial world, and it seems pretty clear that Schumaker won’t be headed back there anytime soon. It’s a fascinating turn of events as we look forward to how things unfold with Schumaker’s new role. Will he forge a successful path as a senior advisor and perhaps eye a return to managing? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the baseball world will be watching closely!
