In baseball’s era of collaboration, managers find themselves sitting on a metaphorical oversized sofa, with front-office executives and statistical analysts squeezed in next to them. Dismissing a manager when others contribute to roster decisions and strategy often feels like blatant scapegoating. This might explain why early firings are becoming increasingly rare.
Since 2018, only three managers have been let go before the All-Star break, all occurring in 2022. The Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies made the playoffs after those changes, yet that trend has not continued. Teams pride themselves on making emotion-free decisions, shying away from moves that could be seen as impulsive.
Nonetheless, managers are not entirely safe—14 teams, almost half of the league, have hired new managers since the end of the 2022 season. Most of these changes happened during the offseason. Clubs not expected to contend generally avoid making shifts before the All-Star break. However, teams with higher aspirations might see breaking into an expanded postseason as a reason for an impactful decision.
Here’s a look at nine managers whose job security could be in question by the end of the season, though not necessarily immediately:
Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins
After the Twins finished a disappointing 12-27 last season, squandering a 92 percent chance to make the playoffs, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey backed Baldelli, stating, “I believe in his process. I believe in him. I believe in the partnership I have with him.”
What’s the status now?
Falvey, like many others consulted for this piece, remains tight-lipped for good reason. With the Twins facing declining attendance and promoting a new direct-to-consumer streaming product, they are in dire need of a strong start. Adjustments were made, including a change in hitting coaches, and Baldelli adopted a more assertive approach.
Rocco Baldelli reacts after being ejected from a game against the Kansas City Royals last week. (William Purnell / Imagn Images)
However, at 5-11, the struggles from the end of 2024 have carried into the start of 2025.
Frustration is palpable among fans regarding the Pohlad ownership’s perceived lack of commitment. Injuries to key players like third baseman Royce Lewis and right-hander Pablo López have compounded the Twins’ difficulties. Yet for a team considered among the most talented in the AL Central, the injury excuse has limited validity.
With the franchise on the sale block, the Twins likely want their on-field performance to be appealing. Baldelli is in his seventh season as manager, and while the specifics of his contract are unclear, he certainly needs to deliver results, regardless of his connection with Falvey.
Oli Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are navigating a peculiar situation, as they transition from John Mozeliak to Chaim Bloom as the head of baseball operations in 2025. Hired by Mozeliak, Marmol is under contract through 2026, but it’s reasonable to assume Bloom will prefer to bring in his own choice. The question, however, is who that might be?
Two Cardinals legends, Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols, have expressed interest in managerial roles. Molina is set to manage Puerto Rico’s team in the World Baseball Classic again in 2026.
The Cardinals might hesitate to choose between these esteemed figures. Bloom, mindful of his past experiences, is likely to proceed with caution. Friends of Bloom, wishing to remain anonymous, have indicated that Cora was not as supportive as he might have been during their time together in Boston.
Skip Schumaker, a former Cardinal and past member of Marmol’s initial staff who is now serving as a senior adviser to the Texas Rangers, could be a prudent pick. If the Rangers’ Bruce Bochy, who turns 70 soon, intends to continue managing, Schumaker may prefer to take an immediate opportunity elsewhere rather than remain off the field another year.
Schumaker maintains close relationships with Marmol and Cardinals coaches Daniel Descalso and Jon Jay, both former teammates in St. Louis. If Schumaker were to be named manager, it’s plausible that Marmol could remain on staff, alongside Descalso and Jay.
Derek Shelton, Pittsburgh Pirates
Even if Shelton has his flaws as a manager, is he truly the primary issue?
The foremost problem lies with owner Bob Nutting, who runs the Pirates on a shoestring budget. The second, albeit farther down the list, is general manager Ben Cherington, who has yet to cultivate the young talent essential for a small-market team’s success.
This marks the sixth year of the Cherington-Shelton era, likely leading to their sixth consecutive losing season and the Pirates’ seventh overall. The Pirates extended Shelton’s contract in April 2023 but did not disclose its terms. If the team opts to make a change, bench coach Don Kelly, a Pittsburgh native, would be a natural successor.
Cherington has not responded to inquiries for comment and doesn’t seem inclined to dismiss Shelton, well aware that it’s his responsibility that the roster is built from spare parts. Still, Shelton has not maximized the potential of the young hitters, leading to a somewhat chaotic performance. Hence, upper management might urge Cherington to appoint a new manager.
Nutting hinted at this reality during the team’s home opener, stating, “I think that I’ve done everything that I can to provide the tools and resources to the team. There is a point where it becomes execution.”
Whether Nutting’s strong words will lead to action remains uncertain. Before 2024, he expected a “meaningful step forward,” which did not materialize— the Pirates ended up with 76 wins, the same as in 2023—yet he retained both Cherington and Shelton. As a former player noted, Nutting “is comfortable being mediocre.”
Bud Black, Colorado Rockies
People within the Rockies organization hold Black in high regard, as do others across the league. However, few seem at ease asking whether Black is the right manager as the team transitions towards a younger roster.
Under Black’s management, the Rockies made the playoffs in his first two seasons, 2017 and 2018. Since then, they’ve descended into six consecutive losing seasons, and with a dismal 3-12 record, they appear on track for a seventh. While Black, 67, cannot shoulder all the blame, it’s reasonable to suggest the organization may benefit from a fresh approach.
Third-base coach Warren Schaeffer, who has managed at multiple levels within the Rockies’ system from 2015 to 2022, is a prime candidate for the job. An in-season change appears unlikely, as it wouldn’t be fair to Black, particularly given the effort the team continues to show under him. Yet, as Black’s contract nears its end, the organization faces a decision.
Schaeffer, at 40, could become the Rockies’ equivalent of Brandon Hyde, stepping in amid a struggle and developing alongside young talent.
Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals
The Nationals illustrate how a rebuilding team can fall into a protracted slump. Since their World Series victory in 2019, only the Rockies have lost more games.
Dave Martinez’s tenure with the Nats has gotten a lot tougher since winning a World Series in 2019. (Scott Taetsch / USA Today)
Martinez was in his second year as manager during the 2019 season. The COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2020 season, and the Nationals began their rebuilding phase in 2021, trading away stars like Trea Turner and Max Scherzer.
The franchise is currently enveloped in uncertainty, with the Lerner family reconsidering their intent to sell; the team is off the market at present. The trade of Juan Soto in July 2022 significantly improved the team’s pipeline of young talent. However, if the Lerners aim to contend again, they will need to pursue established veterans aggressively.
The pressure on Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo seems to be low for now. Martinez is in the final year of his contract with an option for 2026. His players appear to appreciate him, recently clinching two victories out of three against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dodgers.
“It’s all positive,” Rizzo commented. “He’s a good manager and a good person. He’s doing a good job.”
John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have started 9-7, presenting the appearance of a team that might compete better than anticipated. This is crucial for the futures of Schneider’s advocates, team president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins.
Shapiro’s contract expires this season, while Atkins’ runs through 2026. Reports indicate that some within the organization are concerned about the need to reach the postseason to avert significant front-office changes.
The Jays have an option on Schneider for 2026. Shapiro and Atkins previously extended the contracts of both John Gibbons and Charlie Montoyo at the start of their respective contract years. If they have done the same with Schneider, it hasn’t been publicly disclosed.
During spring training, Shapiro remarked to MLB.com that Schneider possesses the potential to become a “great, great major-league manager.” That may very well be true, but a front-office shakeup could lead to changes in the managerial position as well.
Ron Washington, Los Angeles Angels
Is anyone ever truly safe under the volatile ownership of Arte Moreno?
Washington, who will turn 73 later this month, remains energetic as the oldest manager in the major leagues, marking his fifth tenure with the Angels since 2018. He comes off a disappointing 99-loss season during his inaugural year.
Like Schneider, Washington is also in the last guaranteed year of his contract, with the Angels holding a club option for 2026. However, Moreno extended general manager Perry Minasian’s contract through 2026 last August, coupled with a club option for 2027. Minasian brought in several veteran players during the offseason with a promising track record. Adding to the optimism is the apparent recovery of Mike Trout.
Minasian’s extension suggests a move toward stability. The team has also started the season surprisingly well, with a 9-6 record. Yet, with not much of the season passed, it’s too soon to declare Washington’s job security as assured.
Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles ended their 2024 regular season with a 34-38 record, followed by a home sweep by the Kansas City Royals in the wild-card round. Like the Twins, they too have begun the 2025 season sluggishly. However, the parallels largely end there.
General manager Mike Elias stood by Hyde during the team’s upswing, opting against hiring a more seasoned veteran. Their relationship remains close, according to sources familiar with their dynamic. Despite the firing of three coaches at the end of last season, seen by some as a warning to Hyde, Elias appears well aware that the current challenges lie primarily with him rather than his manager.
It’s pertinent to consider the broader context: since 2023, the Orioles have achieved the second-most wins—only trailing the Dodgers—while the closest American League competitor, the Tampa Bay Rays, is a considerable 12 wins behind. However, the current eight pitchers on the injured list complicate efforts to build on that success early in the season.
Buck Britton, Zack Britton’s younger brother, managed many of the Orioles’ younger players at Triple-A over the past three years and has now joined the major-league staff. He could potentially replace Hyde, but Elias would be wise not to rush any decision, especially with the team’s pitching, hitting, and bench coaches all possessing less than two years of experience in their respective roles.
Brian Snitker, Atlanta Braves
No matter how poorly the Braves may falter, Snitker’s job is secure. This marks his 49th year within the organization, during which he led the team to six consecutive division titles from 2018 through 2023. Even when that streak concluded last season, the Braves still reached the playoffs, accruing more wins than they did in their 2021 championship season.
The Braves are allowing Snitker to determine his future. The real question is how long he intends to continue. Approaching 70, he has mentioned contemplating retirement at season’s end but remains ambiguous about his future direction.
Completing fifty years in one organization would be an extraordinary accomplishment for Snitker. Even if he steps away from the managerial role, the Braves could transition him into a special assistant, likely keeping him in the fold as long as he desires, without the daily pressures of managing.
(Top photo of Derek Shelton: Joe Sargent / Getty Images)