Miami Marlins fans must hope Skip Schumaker passes on best of his many options

One year later, it sounds like former Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker is heading back to the dugout.

Not with the Marlins, naturally. Yet, after a year spent in the Texas Rangers' front office, the 2023 NL Manager of the Year winner is widely expected to return to managing sooner than later. You'd be hardpressed to find a report mentioning the news that Bruce Bochy would not be returning to the Rangers in 2026 that didn't also include the tidbit that Schumaker was already a part of the organization.

However, it isn't just the Rangers that suddenly find themselves looking for a new skipper (pun coming).

No, that list includes a staggering seven other clubs, including two West Coast organizations. Who's on the list? That'd be the Angels, Giants, Rockies, Nationals, Twins, Orioles...and the Braves.

Yep, start gulping Marlins fans. Skip Schumaker could be coming back with a vengeance to an NL East rival near you.

Alright, maybe the Nationals can be dismissed out of hand. Not much there to warrant Schumaker moving back out east. Still, that's one division rival with a plum job opening after the news broke Wednesday that Brian Snitker would be moving into a different role with the organization.

For the Marlins, that could prove one division rival too many.

At this point, it should be stressed that there has been plenty of smoke to those Rangers rumors. A big part of the appeal to the organizational role Schumaker took with the Rangers last year was that his son Brody was due to begin attending TCU in 2026. So the family ties that previously made the West Coast so enticing as a potential Schumaker destination aren't necessarily going to be there anymore, and are likely strongest for that job opening in Arlington.

Except, of course, for the fact that college is a four year thing at most, and Schumaker and his family did seem to really like the West Coast. So those Angels and Giants openings can't be as easily waved away as some of the other names. The Nats? Meh. The Orioles? Issues. The Rockies? Makes the Marlins look like the model of excellence and stability. The Twins? Lateral move at best.

The Braves though...that would have to be tempting if they came calling. A very strong core, one that recently helped win a championship. Also, a willingness to spend, and a roster largely built to win now. New stadium, good fans. There's a lot to like there as a manager.

A lot to like before even getting to the prospect of revenge on a Miami Marlins organization that arguably sold him a bill of goods, then fired his biggest advocate in the front office, and then forced him to march through a ridiculously doomed, lame duck season after having just made the playoffs a year before.

Fortunately for Marlins fans, every positive I just mentioned about the Braves can be said about the Rangers. They've even won a World Series more recently, and boast an even newer stadium. Plus, Schumaker already lives and works there. It felt like a manager-in-waiting situation when he took the job in the first place, and here the Rangers and Schumaker are a year later, waiting to announce a new skipper.

But until Schumaker either signs somewhere else, or someone else signs with the Braves?

All Marlins fans need to be on their guard, and hope their former manager "skips" (told you) out on the chance to make them really regret moving on him by signing on with their archrival.