4 MLB managers that should be fired

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MLB managers are hired to be fired. There is no way around it – with very few exceptions, every manager will eventually get the axe and be forced to leave. Even the greatest managers of all time, such as Casey Stengel and Bobby Cox, had to be fired several times before finding greatness.

Maybe that greatness will find some of these managers some day. In some cases, it has as they have won championships and reached the postseason. However, even with their past success, it is clear that these organizations need to make a change.

Four MLB managers that need to be fired

Several teams need a new voice on the bench. Let’s take a look at four MLB managers that should be headed to the unemployment line.

Joe Girardi

The Philadelphia Phillies were supposed to contend this season. Expectations were high after an offseason shopping spree that saw Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber come on board, adding more firepower to the lineup. The bullpen had been overhauled once again, with the hope that this time, it would work.

Well, so much for that. The Phillies are once again a middling team at best, ranking seventh in the National League in OPS and eighth in ERA. Despite a payroll approaching $220 million, the Phillies entered Tuesday’s slate of action seven games under .500. That matches the Pirates, who are not even attempting to compete this year.

The Phillies are a flawed team. There are holes at shortstop and in center while the lineup does not have a true leadoff hitter. The back of the rotation and bullpen have disappointed again. Changes are needed.

And that is going to come down on Joe Girardi. Despite being a solid manager and having led the Yankees to the postseason six times, he has not found that success in Philadelphia. The whispers about his job security are getting louder and it seems to be a matter of time before he is looking for another MLB opportunity.

Joe Girardi is not the problem with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he is likely to be sacrificed for their struggles this season.

Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Dave Martinez

It took Dave Martinez far longer than anyone had expected to get his first chance as an MLB manager. He probably will not need to wait as long for a second opportunity.

Martinez has had a strange tenure with the Nationals. They were two games over .500 in his first season on the bench and had been 19-31 after 50 games in 2019. Then, after the bullpen was entirely remade from the scrap heap during the season, the Nationals went on a tear, earning a Wild Card berth and winning the World Series.

The subsequent years have not been as kind. Washington has not finished better than fourth in the NL East since, and find themselves in the basement once again. Yes, the Nationals are rebuilding and injuries have been a major factor, but they are also attempting to prove to Juan Soto that they are going to be contending for another title in the near future.

At this point, it is fair to wonder if a change is needed. After all, this is the team that moved on from Dusty Baker after he won 90+ games in his two seasons in Washington. If that level of success is the expectation, then Martinez has fallen far short.

The Washington Nationals are going to need to show signs of progress soon if they hope to keep Juan Soto. That may include moving on from Dave Martinez.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Matheny

Mike Matheny was not exactly a popular choice when the Kansas City Royals hired him to take over for Ned Yost. However, the organization hoped that he would be able to guide their young players as they began their MLB careers, leading the team back to glory.

That was supposed to begin this year. The Royals had designs on contending, claiming that they were about to emerge from their rebuilding project. And yet, they have managed to be bad enough where the Reds, who started 3-22 on the season, have passed them in the standings.

One change has already been made. The Royals did fire their hitting coach back on May 16. However, that has done absolutely nothing as they have continued to spiral down the standings. It is time for other changes to be made as well.

Unless the Royals turn their season around soon, it will be time for even more changes. The entire coaching staff should be on the chopping block, including Matheny. He does not seem to be the manager needed to get the Royals’ youngsters to that next level.

The Kansas City Royals need to do something to contend. Getting rid of Mike Matheny and the rest of the coaching staff would be a good start.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Tony La Russa

The Chicago White Sox decision to hire Tony La Russa ahead of the 2021 season was a shock. While La Russa is a Hall of Fame manager, it had been over a decade since he had been on an MLB bench. It was fair to wonder if the game had passed him by.

The White Sox did win the AL Central last season, but that was due as much to the mediocrity of the division as it was to anything La Russa did on the bench. This year, faced with a division that has improved, the White Sox have been one of the biggest disappointments in MLB in 2022.

Injuries have not helped. However, La Russa has also made multiple questionable decisions with his bullpen usage. He has sent Liam Hendriks back to the mound after he had tweaked his back when he slipped on the dugout steps. He has taken too long to pull pitchers that clearly have nothing left.

At this point, it appears as though the biggest issue with the White Sox moving forward is La Russa. The game truly has passed him by and he shows no interest in changing. If the White Sox are going to fulfill their potential, they need to admit their mistake and make a change.

Biggest surprises and disappointments on each AL team. dark. Next

The Chicago White Sox shocked everyone when they hired Tony La Russa. That decision is holding this team back.

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