The Miami Marlins are close to hiring their next manager, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Wednesday evening.

Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough remains in the mix for the gig, according to Heyman. McCullough’s name has been linked to the Marlins’ opener for weeks, and he has become one of the top candidates for Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz. abandoned the race.

McCullough, who is set to turn 45 next month, was once a wide receiver in the Cleveland Guardians’ farm system. From there, he began his coaching career at East Carolina and later became a manager for several minor league affiliates of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Between 2007 and 2013, McCullough served as skipper in the Gulf Coast League, Single-A, High-A and Low-A, with an overall record of 402-367. That’s when he joined the Dodgers organization and spent the next few years as a Minor League field coordinator.

McCullough finally reached the big leagues in 2021 when Dodgers first base coach George Lombard left to become bench coach for the Detroit Tigers. Under the leadership of Dave Roberts, McCullough helped Los Angeles win three NL West crowns and a World Series title.

The Marlins haven’t had this level of success over the past two decades, making just two playoff appearances over the past 21 seasons. After seemingly gaining momentum with a Wild Card berth in 2023, Miami suffered a major setback in 2024 and found itself in the midst of a significant rebuild.

Jorge Soler left last season, while Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Bryan De La Cruz, Josh Bell, Tanner Scott, Trevor RogersBryan Hoeing, AJ Puk and JT Chargois were all traded mid-season. Manager Skip Schumaker then left at the end of the regular seasonwhich prompted the front office to clean house throughout the rest of the staff.

The managerial vacancy in Miami is the last remaining in all of MLB. Free agency has already begun, so time is running out for the Marlins to fill this key void in their dugout.

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