8 MLB managers that may not return in 2023

May 10, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from dugout before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from dugout before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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In the last week, there have been two MLB managers that have been fired, as the Philadelphia Phillies fired Joe Girardi and the Los Angeles Angels have fired Joe Maddon after both teams were disappointments (22-29 for the Phillies and a 12-game losing streak for Maddon and the Angels).

However, as things stand with about one-third of the 2022 season, there are eight other MLB managers that could be fired mid-season or not come back for the 2023 season.

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa could be one of a few MLB managers on the hot seat

Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa has not been a Hall of Fame manager for the Chicago White Sox this year.

The White Sox were expected to be the cream of the crop in the AL Central but they are in third place entering Thursday with a record of 26-28.

La Russa, 77, also has had more than his fair share of blunders as White Sox manager, including teaching the “unwritten rules” of the sport to Yermín Mercedes, pleading guilty to reckless driving, and not understanding the extra-inning baserunner rule

He is in the second year of a “multi-year contract” so it is unknown whether or not it is the final year of his contract or not.

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona

Unlike the others on this list, Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has done a decent job this season, as the Guardians are in second place with a 28-28 record. However, Francona has had a lot of health issues in recent years.

In fact, he missed more than 60 games in 2021 and most of the 2020 season as well due to health issues.

Francona, 63, is only under contract through the end of this season as well.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny

Mike Matheny is entering his third season as the manager of the Kansas City Royals and they have taken a nosedive.

After they went 74-88 in 2021, a lot of people thought that they would improve and even be close to .500. Instead, they are on pace for a 53-109 record through 55 games.

The offense has regressed and top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. has not exactly been phenomenal at the plate in his rookie season but the pitching has really regressed for them.

Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais

The Seattle Mariners are on pace for a better run differential than they had last year when they went 90-72 but a negative run differential has caught up with the Mariners in 2022.

Servais, 55, is in his seventh season as the manager of the Mariners and they have yet to make the playoffs and have, essentially, played .500 baseball under his leadership (464-463 entering Wednesday). In 2022, they are 26-31. 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray has also been a big disappointment (4.97 ERA, 75 ERA+ in 11 starts).

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde

The Baltimore Orioles have improved in 2022 … but that’s not exactly a high bar for the team under manager Brandon Hyde.

Hyde, 48, is in his fourth season as their manager and in 2019 and 2021 (the two full seasons under Hyde), they lost 108 and 110 games. In 2022, they are 24-33 with a winning percentage of .421, which is the highest he has had as a manager. That’s still a pace of 68-94.

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly is in his seventh season as manager of the Miami Marlins and since he became their manager, the only thing that hasn’t changed is him.

The Marlins have a new owner and a new GM since then (and his former teammate Derek Jeter has joined and since left the ownership group). Additionally, the team has regressed under Mattingly.

After making the playoffs in 2020, they went 67-95 last year and are on pace to go 72-90 this year. Mattingly only is contracted through this season too.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell

After starting the season going 3-22, it was a bit surprising that the Cincinnati Reds didn’t fire David Bell then. Since that, they have gone 17-14 but they are still in last place and still on pace to go 58-104.

The Reds did extend him through the 2023 season but considering the downturn that the team has taken after they went 83-79 last year, Bell will likely be the scapegoat for the Reds having a bad owner and a bad front office who gave up on the team.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martínez

Dave Martínez won the World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019 … but they have been an awful team since then. They were in last place in 2020, last place in 2021, and are currently in last place this season as they are on pace for a 59-103 record.

The Nationals have been known to cycle through their managers as Martínez (in his fourth season) is the most tenured manager for the Nationals since they moved to Washington, D.C.

He is under contract through the 2023 season.

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