It appears Skip Schumaker‘s exit was just the first domino to fall in the Miami Marlins offseason. According to Craig Mish of The Miami Herald, nearly the entire Marlins coaching staff was informed that they would not return in 2025.
The entire Marlins coaching staff has been informed they will not return in 2025. There are a couple exceptions who were informed there is interest to be brought back, potentially with whoever is hired as Manager. Obviously they could opt to pursue other opportunities.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) October 2, 2024
Fish On First’s Isaac Azout initially reported on Tuesday that he was hearing the term “blood bath” regarding the Marlins’ firings. Azout wasn’t far off, as Mish confirmed the news on Wednesday.
Assuming this report indeed does mean the entire staff, that would include hitting coach John Mabry, assistant hitting coaches Bill Mueller and Jason Hart, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.., third base coach Griffin Benedict, infield coach Jody Reed, bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda, bullpen coordinator Rob Flippo and field coordinator Rod Barajas.
The Marlins were the third organization that former baseball journeyman Mabry worked with as a coach. He had been with the team since 2023. The club was also Stottlemyre’s third organization he’s been a part of. He previously served on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners’ coaching staffs.
Mueller and Hart, meanwhile, were also recently hired in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Mueller is a 2004 World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, and his resume is highlighted by a Silver Slugger Award and American League batting title in 2003.
The Twins hired Flippo in 2018 and Cepeda in 2020, making them the longest-tenured staff members. Benedict, Reed, and Barajas, a 2001 World Series champion with the Arizona Diamondbacks, had only been with the Marlins since 2023.
What Does the Future Hold for the Marlins?
The Marlins finished with a 62-100 record in 2024 and in last place in the National League East. It was a disappointing effort, given that the club was a wild-card team in 2023, finishing in third at 84-78.
Marlins finish 62-100. Of the 12 full seasons played at new ballpark, they've had a losing record in 11 of them. This notion that a new publicly financed ballpark would be the panacea, allowing them to compete with big spenders, was the biggest local sports fraud of our lifetime
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 29, 2024
It’s been a tumultuous five years for the Marlins. Between former CEO Derek Jeter stepping down, the hiring and departure of former general manager Kim Ng, a pair of postseason appearances in 2020 and 2023, and now the gutting of their coaching staff, they have many questions to answer this offseason. This is merely the beginning of a likely harrowing rebuild in Miami.
Main Photo: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
