2019 MLB season: Managers on the hot seat

4 of 6

As the 2019 MLB season continues to wind down, there are a few managers that could find themselves out of a job once the season comes to an end.

It is hard to believe that the end of the 2019 MLB season is in sight. It almost feels like the season began just a couple weeks ago, with every fan base hoping that this was the year that they took home the World Series. While that was not likely to happen for several teams, hope still sprung eternal.

Now that we are in the final third of the season, several of those teams find themselves playing out the string. The promise from Opening Day, and the excitement of the offseason, have long since evaporated. Those teams are playing for next year, or the year after that, or in some cases, a future beyond in some nebulous point in time.

However, in some cases, that future will involve a different voice. Whether or not it is right, the manager is often made the scapegoat for a disappointing season. Sometimes, that different voice works, as a team of underachieving players realizes their potential. Other times, it is just a lack of talent, and the skipper does not change anything.

With the 2019 MLB season winding down, let us take a look at a few managers that find themselves on the hot seat over the last few weeks.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Clint Hurdle

Clint Hurdle has actually had a bit of success as an MLB manager. He led the Rockies to their first, and thus far only, World Series appearance back in 2007. And, he had led the Pirates to three consecutive appearances in the playoffs.

This was supposed to be the year that the Pirates returned to the postseason. They had built for this season at the 2018 MLB trade deadline, acquiring Chris Archer and Keone Kela. That season saw the Pirates finish with an 82-79 record. In what appeared to be a weaker NL Central, the Pirates were expected to contend.

While they hovered around .500 for the first half of the season, Pittsburgh has stumbled since the All Star Break. They lost 23 of their first 27 games in the second half, appearing listless and unmotivated. Kela has found himself suspended due to team infractions, and virtually the entire roster has underperformed.

There are questions as to the commitment put forth by ownership. The Pirates were seemingly in a good place to move forward, but owner Bob Nutting refused to open the checkbook. Nonetheless, those failing land at the feet of the manager, especially given the lack of effort being put forth on the diamond.

Clint Hurdle may not be the only member of the organization to lose their job after this season. But he is the that may find himself taking the brunt of the blame.

Miami Marlins – Don Mattingly

While most teams had hope for the 2019 MLB season, the Miami Marlins were one of those franchises that did not have a realistic chance of contending for the playoffs. Success, in their case, would come with progress at the minor league level, and a determination of which players could be a part of the future.

That did not stop CEO Derek Jeter from stating that he expected the Marlins to win, and to win soon. Even with that declaration, the Marlins quickly struggled, and find themselves buried in the basement of the NL East.

This may well spell the end for manager Don Mattingly. Although he is a fellow Yankees alum, the Marlins have not made the type of progress that Jeter would want. In fact, as they entered action on Saturday, they had a lower winning percentage in 2019 then they had the previous season.

The future for the Marlins appears to be bright. Isan Diaz showed that he could be a future cornerstone player in AAA this season. They added the likes of Jazz Chisholm, Jesus Sanchez, and Sixto Sanchez in trades. Just a year after being one of the worst farm systems in baseball, the Marlins boast six top 100 prospects, and are now considered to have the fourth best system in the game.

However, this is a future that is not likely to include Don Mattingly. Even if the Marlins were not going to win this season, Derek Jeter wanted to see improvement on the major league side. That has not happened, and is likely to cost Mattingly his job.

(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Seattle Mariners – Scott Servais

Since Jerry Dipoto took over as the general manager of the Mariners, he has made 100 trades. Dipoto has been the general manager of the Mariners for just about four years.

For all the changes that he has made in that time, there has been one constant. Scott Servais has been the manager of the club, tasked with keeping that ever-fluctuating roster and evolving cast playing together and playing well.

At times, Servais has done just that. In his fourth season with the Mariners, he has had two winning seasons, and brought them to the cusp of the postseason in 2018. The Mariners even started off hot this year, with a 13-2 record. Dipoto’s reimagined club was performing better than expected.

Since then, Seattle has crashed back to earth, with a 48-69 record. Dipoto has continued to tinker with the roster, looking to get the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. While he has added to the farm system in his various trades this year, patience is obviously not his strong suit. While Servais has survived for this long, it may be a matter of time before Dipoto decides he needs to make a change there as well.

Scott Servais has survived Jerry Dipoto’s purges thus far. But after falling flat following that hot start, his time in Seattle may be at an end.

(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox – Alex Cora

Yes, the Red Sox won the World Series last year, but hear me out.

Heading into the 2019 MLB season, the Red Sox were considered one of the favorites to return to the playoffs, a viable contender for the World Series. There were questions in the bullpen, especially with closer Craig Kimbrel and set up man Joe Kelly having departed, but the roster was considered strong enough to overcome those issues.

Instead, the Red Sox have underachieved in every way. The bullpen has predictably struggled, but so has the starting rotation. Chris Sale looks nothing like the ace he had been. Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello have been disasters. Even the lineup has struggled this season.

While a majority of those problems could be blamed on general manager Dave Dombrowski, there are worrying signs in the clubhouse. After the trade deadline passed without any moves being made, the Red Sox fell into a funk, with an eight game losing streak. There have been questions about the effort being put forth, as it seems as though some players are playing out the string.

Heading into Saturday’s action, the Red Sox found themselves 5.5 games out of the Wild Card. Should they miss the postseason, it may be time to take a look at Alex Cora.

Philadelphia Phillies – Gabe Kapler

The Phillies were expected to take a major step forward during the 2019 MLB season.

More from Call to the Pen

Philadelphia had been one of the more active teams of the offseason, filling various holes on their roster. They brought in J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, and Andrew McCutchen to solidify the lineup. Then, they made a major splash, adding superstar Bryce Harper to the lineup. The Phillies were looking to make up for their late season collapse in 2018.

That has not happened. The Phillies had another strong start, but have struggled once again, tumbling to fourth in the NL East despite their talented roster. Bullpen usage has come into question. The pitching staff as a whole has not lived up to expectations. And then there is manager Gabe Kapler.

Kapler has definitely rubbed some people the wrong way, especially given his views about diet, exercise, and the proper way to play defense. It was thought that he was an obstacle in regards to the Phillies landing free agents, even though Harper eventually signed in Philadelphia. His off the field issues, particularly regarding his time as the director of player development with the Dodgers, have been especially damning.

The Phillies have stuck by Kapler thus far. He is still learning how to be a manager, and is trying to grow into his role. However, in the end, the results are the only thing that matter. Should the Phillies falter again in the second half of the season, in addition to those stories, may be enough to send Kapler out the door.

Next. Dave Martinez is a good manager. dark

The Phillies expected to compete during the 2019 MLB season. Instead, if their struggles continue, they may be looking for another manager in the offseason.

Home / MLB News