MLB Managers on the Hot Seat 2023

In 2022, household names like Joe Girardi (Phillies) and Joe Maddon (Angels), along with Charlie Montoya (Blue Jays) and Chris Woodward (Rangers), all received mid-season pink slips. The White Sox, Marlins, and Royals joined the party soon after the season concluded.

That’s why it’s hard to believe there have been zero managerial dismissals in Major League Baseball so far in 2023.

As MLB playoff odds continue to dominate news, rumors, and everything in between, who could be the first manager of 2023 to leave town? 

MLB Managers on the Hot Seat

Buck Showalter — New York Mets

Especially considering the offseason hype surrounding the team’s roster (and the associated payroll), the Mets have had a horrifically disappointing season in 2023. Initially pegged to be World Series contenders, New York has struggled from Opening Day and are yet to find their feet in any meaningful way.

Despite a dreadful showing this season, owner Steve Cohen has said manager Showalter is safe in his position, but how long can that last? Between 2022’s abrupt elimination from the playoffs in the Wild Card Series and this year’s rather tragic performance, surely fingers are pointing at Showalter.

Showalter has never been fired midseason in his managerial career, and perhaps he won’t be in 2023, either. However, unless something changes for the Mets very soon, I think New York will be in the market for a new manager this winter.

Oliver Marmol — St. Louis Cardinals

Despite a lot of roster carryover from last season, the Cardinals seem to be flailing in 2023.

This is Marmol’s second season as bench boss, so firing him would be a major statement on the part of John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations. Still, if the team doesn’t turn it around very soon, something will need to be done, and Marmol may very well be looking for a new job.

A.J. Hinch — Detroit Tigers

Hinch joined the Tigers in December 2020, and his first season in the dugout saw the team finish third in the AL Central with a record of 77-85. In 2022, Detroit finished fourth in the division with a 66-96 record, and now in his third season as manager, the excuses for the team’s continuous losing records are wearing very thin.

Admittedly, the Tigers have been playing slightly better in the last few weeks after a truly abysmal start (they were 2-8 after their first 10 games), but is it really enough to convince owners that Hinch should be kept around? I’d say it’s very likely Detroit will have a new manager in the dugout by the end of the season.