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Schumaker

Schumaker receives a four-year contract to take over at the helm following veteran skipper Bruce Bochy’s exit after three seasons. The 45-year-old was brought on last year as a senior advisor to baseball operations with the Rangers after spending the previous two years managing the Marlins where he posted a 146-178 (.451) record and took home the National League’s Manager of the Year Award in his first season with the club. He takes over a Texas roster entering a transitional phase after missing the postseason despite a plethora of veteran talent and some up-and-coming cornerstones.

The former Marlins’ skipper took a job with the Rangers in November as a senior advisor to baseball operations with the expectation that he could take over once Bruce Bochy’s run at the helm was over. While the Rangers haven’t officially announced anything, there are currently no external candidates being considered for the position, leading many to speculate that Schumaker will get the gig. The Marlins went 146-178 in two years with Schumaker as their manager from 2023-2024 — winning National League Manager of the Year honors in his first season as a big league manager in 2023.

Schumaker spent the last two years managing the Marlins and will head to the Rangers in a front office role. It’s possible he’ll attract some interest from other clubs for their managerial vacancies, but it appears likely he’ll wind up as the successor for future Hall of Fame skipper Bruce Bochy in Texas once he’s finally ready to retire for good.

The two sides mutually agreed to part ways. The Marlins went 146-178 during Schumaker’s two-year tenure, going 84-78 in 2023 and 62-100 this year. Schumaker is likely to be hotly pursued by other teams looking for managers this winter, while the Marlins will focus on finding the most qualified option willing to take the least amount of money.

This wasn’t exactly a secret, but now it’s essentially official. The Marlins let Schumaker control his own destiny when they let go of the person (Kim Ng) who hired him for his first managerial gig. We’re not 100 percent sold on Schumaker being the next big thing, but it sure looks like he’ll have his pick of gigs this winter.

Mueller spent the past two years with the Nationals as a quality assurance coordinator. Mueller will assist hitting coach John Mabry — who was elevated to the top role after functioning as an assistant himself in 2023. The Marlins also added Jose Ceballos to their coaching staff as a bullpen catcher. Additionally, Griffin Benedict — who served as a quality assurance coach in 2023 — will function as the team’s third base coach in 2024.

The first-time skipper led the Marlins to an 84-78 record and a Wild Card berth in his first season at the helm of a big league club. Schumaker garnered eight first place, eight second place and eight third place votes in a closely contested race. Former Brewers skipper and current Cubs manager Craig Counsell finished as the runner-up, while Braves manager Brian Snitker, Diamondbacks skipper Torey Lovullo and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts rounded out the top five.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic had reported earlier in the day that they were targeting Brown to fill the role and it appears now that the deal is done. Under Brown’s tutelage, the Dodgers have been one of the top offenses in the National League and he should be a welcomed addition to the Marlins staff. Aaron Bates -- who had been the Dodgers assistant hitting coach -- is expected to fill Brown’s old role, sharing the hitting coach duties with Robert Van Scoyoc.

Brown is currently employed by the Dodgers, where he shares hitting coach duties with Robert Van Scoyoc. Rosenthal also notes that if Brown leaves his role with the Dodgers, that Aaron Bates -- who is their assistant hitting coach -- would likely get promoted to fill Brown’s spot. Brown has been a hitting coach in the Dodgers organization since December of 2017.

Urueta, who was slated to manage Colombia in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, will join new manager Skip Schumaker’s staff in Miami this spring. He’s served as the Diamondbacks’ bench coach for the last three seasons.