Now that we know Clayton McCullough will return for a third season as Marlins manager, the expectations will be higher, as Miami looks to take another step forward and establish itself as a consistent playoff team.
MIAMI — The Miami Marlins will not have a new manager standing in the dugout when the first pitch of the 2027 season is thrown.
President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix confirmed to reporters Tuesday at loanDepot park during his end-of-season press conference that Clayton McCullough will return next season.
"Clayton will be our manager for next year," Bendix said. "And I'm very excited about that. I think Clayton showed a lot of growth and improvement in the way that a lot of people do in their second year."
McCullough, who replaced Skip Schumaker after the 2024 season, has accumulated 159 wins in his first two seasons leading the club — the most of any Marlins manager over their first two years.
While those numbers may be an encouraging sign, the bigger story is that the Marlins failed to qualify for the playoffs in McCullough's first two seasons.
Personally, I didn't think McCullough's job status was in danger following the 2026 season, in which the Marlins finished 80-82, one game better than their 79-83 run in 2025.
The Marlins, at one point this season, were 52-42 and held a three-game advantage for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Miami imploded in the second half, however, losing at one point a franchise-worst 12 straight games.
That collapse ultimately defined a season that had appeared to be heading in a much different direction.
After reaching the midpoint of the season with a legitimate chance to contend, the Marlins struggled to maintain consistency on both sides of the ball.
The losing streak erased much of the momentum the team had built during the first half and left Miami fighting from behind during the final months of the season.
Still, the decision to bring McCullough back suggests the organization believes the problems extend beyond the manager’s office.
Bendix’s comments indicate that Miami sees value in the progress McCullough made during his second season and believes he can continue developing alongside a young roster.
The 2027 season will therefore represent an important opportunity for McCullough and the Marlins. With another year of experience under his belt, expectations will likely be higher, particularly after Miami showed in 2026 that it can compete for a postseason spot.
The challenge now is turning that early-season success into sustained production over 162 games.
If the Marlins can remain competitive throughout the season and clinch their first postseason berth since 2023, McCullough could have a chance to establish himself as the long-term manager the organization believes he can become.
Another season without a playoff appearance, however, would likely bring increased pressure for McCullough. But for now, the message from the organization is clear: Miami believes he deserves the opportunity to lead the team into 2027.
