Offishial News: Clayton McCullough's opening statement; 2025 Marlins FanFest date set

On Monday out in the desert, OF Andrew Pintar went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and UTIL Dalvy Rosario went 0-for-3. The Peoria Javelinas lost, 7-1.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 Clayton McCullough was officially named the new Marlins manager. Here is the full press release about it with quotes from Bruce Sherman, Peter Bendix and McCullough, who wants to install "a culture that is built on determination, focus, and care.” His introductory press conference is likely to be sometime next week.

🔷 Not official yet, but per multiple reports including one from Andrew Baggarly and Katie Woo of The Athletic, Miami's new hitting coach will be Pedro Guerrero. When Gabe Kapler managed the Phillies and Giants, Guerrero was on both of those coaching staffs, and now they're reuniting in Miami. The former infielder turns 36 next month. In 2024, John Mabry, Bill Mueller and Jason Hart combined to coach the Marlins' major league hitters. The team struggled in terms of both plate discipline and power, though there was significant improvement during the second half of the season.

🔷 Fish On First ran a Twitter poll asking how long McCullough would last as manager. The vast majority took under 4.5 seasons.

🔷 In wrapping up the Choque de Gigantes tournament, Marlins president of baseball operations Caroline O'Connor said that FanFest will be held on February 8, which is the Saturday before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. It's a return to normalcy after last year's edition was awkwardly held on the final Friday of January.

🔷 One more plug for our new Bluesky account! As far as I know, FOF is the only outlet on the nascent social media network that is providing daily Marlins content.

🔷 As currently constructed, the Marlins roster is projected for the fourth-fewest fWAR in the majors, writes MLB.com's Mike Petriello. They're ahead of the Nationals, White Sox and Rockies.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, finalists were announced for each of the major BBWAA awards. The award winners have already been selected, but they're keeping it under wraps until next week and teasing us with the candidates who finished top three in the voting. Of note, Paul Skenes is the first rookie to be a Cy Young finalist since José Fernández in 2013.

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