Insider Lists 12 Managers &/or GMs That Could Still Be Fired
The pink slips have started to come. Already, three managers have lost their jobs, just a day or two after the end of the regular season. But there's more to come. A lot more, according to insider Ken Rosenthal.
Writing for The Athletic, Rosenthal has named no less than 15 teams that could change their manager and/or head of baseball operations this offseason. We'll remove the Detroit Tigers from the list, as AJ Hinch did get them to the postseason, despite their historic collapse of a 15.5-game division lead.
3 managers have also come off his list already, in Ron Washington (LAA), Bob Melvin (SFG) and Bruce Bochy (Tex).
1. Colorado Rockies: GM Bill Schmidt, manager Warren Schaeffer
This one's obvious, as the team had one of the most dreadful seasons in major league baseball history, going 43-119.
2. LA Angels: GM Perry Minasian (manager Ron Washington and acting manager Ray Mongomery were both already told they won't be back).
3. Baltimore Orioles: Manager Tony Mansolino. They went 56-51 over their final 107 games, so maybe Mansolino gets a reprieve.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: GM Ben Cherington, manager Don Kelly. The GM is more at risk than the manager.
5. Atlanta Braves: Manager Brian Snitker. With retirement on the table for Snitker earlier in the season, he's now leaning more towards the possibility of returning.
6. Minnesota Twins: Manager Rocco Baldelli. Of course, the fact that they traded about half their team at the deadline isn't Baldelli's fault this year. But the reality remains, the Twins have won only one playoff series in seven seasons under Baldelli.
7. Athletics: General manager David Forst. This is a strange one to have on the list, with the A's bringing so many talented youngsters to the majors this season.
Admittedly, some of the final five on his list, says Rosenthal, "Would take something calamitous" for them to lose their jobs.
8. New York Yankees: Manager Bob Boone. A complete flameout in the Wild Card series to the Boston Red Sox could potentially put Boone on the hot seat—at least, with the fans. Also, he just signed an extension through 2027.
9. Philadelphia Phillies: Manager Rob Thomson. Again, this would have to take a monumental collapse in the NLDS for this to even be a consideration.
10. Houston Astros: Manager Joe Espada. Injuries were the reason that Houston collapsed down the stretch, not the manager. But their owner Jim Crane, as Rosenthal notes, "can be unpredictable."
11. St. Louis Cardinals: Manager Oli Marmol. With a new head of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, coming aboard, he could bring in his own man. This one wouldn't be such an upset.
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