MLB: Which Managers Are Already on the Hot Seat?
It’s never too early to take a look at which MLB managers might be feeling the heat. We’re a month and a half into the season, and some can feel the intensity.
MLB managers get fired a lot. It happens every year.
Sometimes it’s real early, like former Cincinnati Reds’ manager, Bryan Price. He was fired after his team started off 3-15. It might seem harsh at first look, but the move came after four straight years of sub-.500 finishes.
On the other hand, it’s not always doomed for managers who get off to bad starts. Philadelphia Phillies’ rookie manager, Gabe Kapler, was already worthy to be fired based on enraged Twitter fans after the first week. If you look now, his team has a pretty solid 22-16 record. That’s good enough for second in the National League East.
Or, you could be someone like the NBA’s Dwayne Casey. His Toronto Raptors have been a top team in the Eastern Conference for years. This year, they had the best finish in the East. He was voted the Coach of the Year, too. The end result? He was fired.
My point being, a manager or coaches status is never certain. It’s about results, but sometimes managers take the fall as a result of circumstances.
This year in Major League Baseball is no different. Some MLB managers have become prime candidates for exits.
With that being said, lets take a look at some MLB managers on the hot seat.
Buck Showalter
If Baltimore Orioles’ skipper Buck Showalter is indeed fired, it won’t be his fault.
The longtime MLB veteran is at the helm of a club that has, well, stunk this season. His O’s stand at a mark of 12-28. However, it’s not really his own doing. He’s gotten nothing from his starting rotation, a bunch that is the second worst in baseball (5.65 combined ERA).
His offense hasn’t been much better. Its scored the seventh lowest amount of runs in the game.
With a sinking record and barren farm system that we ranked as 26th in the game, it appears that Baltimore will have to clean house sooner than later.
Showalter’s star, Manny Machado, is near-lock to be traded before the deadline this summer.
His closer, Zach Britton, will probably be out of town, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos has remained loyal to Showalter for his dedication to the club and his fantastic 2012 and 2014 seasons.
However, it seems likely that ownership might look in a new direction to find someone who will lead the club through the inevitable rebuild.
According to Heyman, Showalter has long shown an interest in a front office role, which he could transition to after managing.
Want something to think about? In the same piece, Heyman notes that there have been rumors of a franchise icon’s interest in managing.
Jeff Banister
After two straight division titles from 2015-2016, Jeff Banister‘s club has yet to reclaim its top status.
The Texas Rangers are in the midst of a 16-25 start in 2018. Its offense is in the bottom half of the league in runs scored (18th).
Even worse, his starters have combined for the seventh worst ERA in all of baseball (5.10), too.
The Rangers appear to have found its young cornerstones to build around in Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara. Additionally, Willie Calhoun and Leody Taveras represent significant building blocks for the future of the club.
For Banister, the odds don’t appear to be in his favor. The team isn’t close to competing with the Houston Astros or Los Angeles Angels for AL West supremacy any time soon.
After extending his contract to 2018, the organization could feel free to let him walk at seasons end.
According to Jon Heyman, the one-year extension did little to solidify his future with the club.
As the Rangers fade deeper into the cellar of the division, ownership might have no choice but to tab a new voice as the leader of its young talent.
Kevin Cash
Of the aforementioned candidates, Kevin Cash appears to be the least likely to get the axe. He hasn’t been given much to work with.
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Upper management dealt away Evan Longoria in the offseason. Logan Morrison wasn’t resigned. Somehow, some way, Corey Dickerson was inexplicably designated for assignment and traded.
Put that together and that’s 85 home run’s you’re missing from last years lineup.
It doesn’t take much to realize that the Rays’ have no chance to win. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have firmly planted themselves as the top dogs in the East, as well as all of baseball.
It doesn’t help that Chris Archer will probably be dealt after the season, too.
Including this season, Cash has managed the Rays to a 244-279 record. It’s not too bad, actually. Considering the team is known for its low payroll’s and inability to keep or attract stars, Cash has done an admirable job.
Next: Which upcoming FA is having the best 2018?
However, the organization has been stuck in mediocrity ever since the departure of Joe Maddon. Like his AL East counterpart, Buck Showalter, it won’t be Cash’s fault if he’s fired.
Due to years of so-so results, he might be the one who’s forced to take the fall.