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Baseball is a results-driven sport, so if an organization doesn't win enough games and fails to meet expectations, ownership may step in and implement a leadership change. This can include front-office realignment, dismissing the general manager, or dismissing the manager.
Even before the 2024 MLB season gets underway, we have a strong sense of which managers will be fighting for their jobs this year. Here are six MLB managers on the hot seat in 2024.
It should be noted that all six managers listed here missed the postseason last year, but this does not mean that managers who made the postseason are "safe." Their seats just aren't quite hot enough yet.
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Alex Cora, Red Sox
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom was the scapegoat for Boston's failures in 2023, and Cora could end up being the fall guy if the Red Sox miss the postseason in 2024. The 48-year-old helped lead Boston to a World Series during his managerial debut in 2018 but might not be able to convince ownership he deserves another year if the Red Sox finish below .500.
There have been murmurs about Cora's supposed desire to join an MLB front office, so perhaps his dismissal could be masked as a transition to the front office. The Red Sox are a storied franchise with a strong farm system, so any managerial vacancy would be quite appealing to prospective candidates.
Alex Cora appears excited about the Red Sox vibes pic.twitter.com/jndEzYps5s
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 21, 2024
Dave Martinez, Nationals
Martinez's Nationals won the World Series in 2019 but haven't made the postseason since then. They've finished in the basement of the NL East for each of the last four seasons, and it's hard to imagine ownership will let him get away with a fifth consecutive fifth-place finish.
The Nationals are expected to get the massive contracts of Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin off their books soon, which means this team could embark on an accelerated rebuild. Martinez has one season to prove he deserves to be the skipper for the Nats' quest to reclaim prominence in the National League.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez brought evidence with him postgame as he ranted about a controversial obstruction call against the Houston Astros.
"We lost the game and he had nothing to say about it. Because he can't make the right call."
🎥 @DCBarnopic.twitter.com/5zw0SGgaSq
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 15, 2023
Oliver Marmol, Cardinals
Marmol is entering his third season at the helm for St. Louis. In his first year as manager, the Cardinals won the National League Central. However, they plummeted to fifth place last year, finishing with their worst winning percentage since 1995. Such a result is unacceptable for any club, especially one that prides itself in being competitive every year.
Cardinals ownership isn't afraid to make changes at the managerial post. They fired Mike Matheny mid-season and terminated his replacement, Mike Shildt, after a 90-72 campaign. It's very reasonable to wonder whether Marmol could be fired if the Cardinals miss the postseason this year. That's especially true in an NL Central that has talent but lacks a clear favorite. The path is open for St. Louis to make a run, and if they don't, a leadership change could be coming.
Oliver Marmol has been ejected and had PLENTY of words for the umpire pic.twitter.com/zaECio3GgW
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 22, 2023
Aaron Boone, Yankees
There were rumblings that Boone could be fired after the Yankees finished with a .506 winning percentage last season, good for fourth place in the AL East. Boone ultimately kept his job, but a Yankees organization that demands results could be quick to move on if the team fails to meet expectations in 2024. After all, hopes are high following the acquisition of Juan Soto to a lineup that already features the power-hitting likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Boone's Yankees made the postseason for each of his first five seasons at the post; 2023 was the first time a Boone-led team missed the postseason. However, they've had limited success in October. Boone has never brought his team to the World Series, and he's an abysmal 2-8 in the ALCS.
Jomboy and Jake role-played Boone’s ejection right is front of him pic.twitter.com/cXaeT9eWpN
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 8, 2023
Derek Shelton, Pirates
Shelton was brought in to help guide the Pirates along their rebuild. Over four years at his post, Shelton's teams have never finished better than fourth place in the NL Central. There was always an expectation that ownership would be patient with him, but just how long can they keep making excuses? The Pirates have seen top prospects graduate and still couldn't sniff playoff contention last year.
Plus, the NL Central isn't exactly a powerhouse. The Pirates should be able to compete with the likes of the Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, and Brewers. Any other result is a letdown. Shelton's seat is (deservedly) scorching hot.
That's a wrap on 2024 Spring Training. Thank you to all the fans who came out to support us in Bradenton. I'm excited to officially start the season tomorrow in Miami and I can't wait to see everybody at PNC Park on April 5.
Until then, Let's Go Bucs! pic.twitter.com/OtPWOVH3wh
— Derek Shelton (@derekshelton) March 27, 2024
Bud Black, Rockies
The Rockies made the postseason in both of Black's first two years at the helm. Since then, however, they've built a five-year postseason drought and haven't finished higher than fourth place in the NL West. An aging manager producing those results on a team that desperately needs to rebuild? Not ideal. Colorado would be wise to replace Black with a younger skipper next offseason, barring an unexpectedly strong finish in the NL West this year.
Speaking of the Rockies' division, their path to a miracle season won't be easy. The Dodgers remain elite, the Padres and Giants both made key offseason additions, and the Diamondbacks are defending National League champions. A sixth consecutive finish near the basement of the NL West could certainly lead to Black's termination.
#Rockies Bud Black in what Rox must do on offense this season to improve. pic.twitter.com/yhIMuEVFVo
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) March 27, 2024
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