Major League Baseball teams have already begun planning for the 2022 season, and new managers are already working on plans to take their clubs to the pinnacle of MLB success. Early on, those chosen for their new positions ahead of the 2022 campaign have offered some surprises.
Which MLB managers are new for the 2022 season?
Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals
Let’s start with the first manager hired this offseason. That was in St. Louis with the Cardinals elevating bench coach Oliver Marmol to the role of manager after dismissing Mike Shildt in what was certainly one of the early surprises of the offseason after he logged a 252-199 mark in three-plus seasons overseeing the Cardinals.
Marmol, who was the bench coach for the Cardinals the last two seasons, was drafted by the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB amateur draft but never advanced above High-A. He will be 35 when the Cardinals open the 2022 season on the road against Pittsburgh on March 31. That will make him the youngest manager in MLB (as of the time of this writing) and the youngest MLB manager since 35-year-old Eric Wedge guided the Cleveland Indians in 2003.
Bob Melvin, San Diego Padres
While this will be Marmol’s first managerial position, Bob Melvin takes over the San Diego Padres with 18 years of MLB managing experience, including the last 11 seasons overseeing the Oakland A’s.
Oakland gave permission for the Padres to interview Melvin, and San Diego signed him to a three-year deal. He takes over in San Diego for Jayce Tingler, who was let go after the Padres collapsed in the second half of the season, finishing 79-83 and well out of the National League playoff picture.
The 60-year-old Melvin has a 1,346-1,242 record in his 18 seasons overseeing the A’s, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Seattle Mariners.
Melvin’s hire was under the radar after reports surfaced that the Padres had interviewed Shildt, former Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, and former New York Mets manager Luis Rojas. Atlanta Braves third base coach and former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington also expressed interest in the San Diego position.
Buck Showalter, New York Mets
Showalter will take over his fifth team for his 21st season of MLB managing. He last managed the Baltimore Orioles in 2018 and was let go after the Orioles finished with a 47-115 record in his ninth season in the Baltimore dugout.
The 65-year-old Showalter earned American League Manager of the Year honors on three occasions with three different franchises (1994 with the New York Yankees, 2004 with the Texas Rangers, and 2014 with Baltimore).
Showalter is reportedly receiving a three-year deal which will make him the highest-paid skipper in Mets history.
Mark Kotsay, Oakland A’s
Much like Showalter, the hiring of Kotsay was expected by many following the Oakland manager search started after Melvin bolted for San Diego. Promoted from third base coach to manager, this will be the first managing opportunity for the 46-year-old Kotsay.
Kotsay has held other coaching duties within the Oakland ranks, including bench coach, after spending 17 years as an MLB player, including four in an Oakland uniform.
Once the lockout is lifted, will Oakland make any of the rumored numerous moves to completely change over the roster? The answer to that question could determine how serious the A’s will be about making another run at the American League West title under Kotsay’s leadership next season.
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