Marlins hire ex-Dodgers coach McCullough as manager

The Miami Marlins hired former Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as their next manager, the team announced Monday.

"Following an incredible past few weeks, it is exciting to end the year by finding the right opportunity for me and my family," McCullough said in a statement. "We have called South Florida home for the last 10 years, and now I get to lead the Marlins franchise forward with a culture that is built on determination, focus, and care."

McCullough becomes the 14th full-time manager in franchise history. He replaces Skip Schumaker, who left the club via mutual agreement after the season ended.

The 44-year-old spent the last four seasons on Dave Roberts' staff in Los Angeles. He previously spent seven years as the Dodgers' minor-league field coordinator, providing him with player development experience that may have given him an edge for the job with the rebuilding Marlins.

During his time in the Dodgers' front office, McCullough worked closely with Gabe Kapler, then the franchise's director of player development. Kapler is now an assistant general manager with the Marlins.

Miami and McCullough have been on each others' radar for some time. He interviewed with the club when it last had a managerial opening two years ago, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The team ultimately hired Schumaker.

A native of North Carolina, McCullough played parts of four seasons in the minors. He retired at age 25 having made just five appearances above A-ball. McCullough moved into coaching as the skipper of the Blue Jays' Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2007 and spent the next seven seasons managing in Toronto's farm system before joining the Dodgers organization.

The Marlins made the playoffs under Schumaker in 2023 but fell back to last place with a dismal 62-100 record this past season. It marked the franchise's 13th losing campaign since 2010 and the fourth 100-loss season in team history.

McCullough is the first manager hired by Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, who took the role last November after Kim Ng departed the organization.

Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz and then-Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable were also finalists for the Marlins job, Barry Jackson and Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reported in October. Albernaz reportedly withdrew from consideration to remain in Cleveland, while Venable accepted an offer to manage the Chicago White Sox.

McCullough didn't waste any time getting to work on his staff: The Marlins are also hiring Pedro Guerrero as their hitting coach, sources told Katie Woo and Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Guerrero, 35, spent the last four seasons as an assistant hitting coach with the San Francisco Giants.