Skip Schumaker, who recently left his position with the Miami Marlins, was one of the most sought-after managerial candidates in baseball. However, he’s decided to pivot in his career. Instead of re-entering the dugout, Schumaker will join the Texas Rangers as a senior advisor to Chris Young, the president of baseball operations. This move was confirmed by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Alongside him, the Rangers are reportedly bringing in Luis Urueta, Schumaker’s former bench coach with the Marlins, to bolster their coaching staff, according to MLB.
Schumaker served two seasons as the Marlins’ manager, finishing with a record of 146-178. Despite the team’s limited resources, he managed to lead them to an unexpected playoff spot in 2023, demonstrating his ability to overachieve with a challenging roster. However, his second season took a downturn when the team slashed its payroll and lost its general manager, Kim Ng. In a surprising move, Schumaker announced to his players at the end of the season that he wouldn’t be returning in 2025. This decision left many expecting he would soon reappear in this year’s coaching cycle, yet Schumaker’s path diverged from traditional expectations.
Schumaker’s new role with the Rangers signifies a shift to a less demanding position, potentially offering a balanced lifestyle while allowing him to stay involved in the game. He joins a team that celebrated its first World Series win in 2023 under the leadership of veteran manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy, now 69, has faced retirement speculation, which could open a managerial opportunity within the Rangers in the near future. Schumaker’s new role could therefore be a strategic step toward that possibility.
This offseason saw only three managerial openings in Major League Baseball, making it one of the more limited job cycles in recent years. The Cincinnati Reds made waves by bringing Terry Francona out of retirement, while the Chicago White Sox appointed Will Venable to lead a struggling team. The Marlins, Schumaker’s former team, remain the only club yet to fill their vacancy, but Schumaker’s choice to join the Rangers signals he won’t be heading back to Miami.
As one of the most promising candidates for a managerial role, Schumaker’s shift to a senior advisory position highlights a thoughtful choice for longevity, with a possible eye on managing the Rangers in the future.