With nearly a third of the leagues’ teams looking for a new manager, we will be Ranking Open MLB Manager jobs. Which open position is the most desirable? Which new manager will be best set up for success in their first year at the helm? Who will be set up best for the long term? Which big-name manager will land the big-time job? We will rank each open position from least to most desirable from a manager’s standpoint. Giving reasons for optimism and pessimism for each team and potential candidates for each job.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates
Pessimism
After nine years at the helm and a record of 69-93 in 2019, the Pittsburgh Pirates fired Clint Hurdle. An abysmal second half (25-48) crushed all optimism that surrounded the team around the All-Star break and the struggles of Josh Bell in the second half made his hot start seem like a mirage. Add in an owner who shows no willingness to spend money to improve the team and the new manager of the Pirates could be looking at an impossible situation. The Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Shane Baz for Chris Archer trade is looking worse by the day and could set the franchise back years.
Optimism
Despite his late-season struggles, Josh Bell flashed MVP potential over the first two months of the season. Bryan Reynolds and Kevin Newman showed flashes at the plate and Starling Marte is still one of the better Center Fielders in the league. Jameson Taillon will be returning from Tommy John surgery next year and could bring a boost to the pitching staff.
Candidates
Oakland A’s coaches Ryan Christenson and Mark Kotsay are at the top of the list for the Pirates. Christenson has managerial experience in the A’s minor leagues while Kotsay has no managerial experience. The upside for both of them is that they come from an A’s organization that pioneered winning with a low payroll.
The Choice: Ryan Christenson
Neither one of them jumps off of the page as a clear front-runner but with managerial experience in the minors, the edge has to go to Christenson. How long he lasts in a city that is starved for good baseball will be one to watch.
7. Kansas City Royals
Pessimism
It was a quick fall from grace for the Kansas City Royals as just four years after back to back World Series appearances, they are once again occupying the bottom of the standings. Outside of Brad Keller (7-14, 4.19 ERA), the Royals had no consistent pitching from the starting rotation. The bullpen was equally inconsistent outside of the emergence of Ian Kennedy as the closer. The offense struggled to consistently produce runs finished 14th in the AL in Runs, HRs, and OPS.
Optimism
Jorge Soler finally had the breakout season everyone had been waiting for since his days with the Chicago Cubs. Adalberto Mondesi showed he is the real deal despite dealing with multiple injuries throughout the season. Whit Merrifield lived up to expectations after signing an extension last winter. Brady Singer and Daniel Lynch could provide help to the pitching staff as soon as next year as both are Top 100 prospects and Salvador Perez will return from Tommy John surgery for the 2020 season, giving a huge boost to the team.
Candidates
Mike Matheny was hired as a special advisor last November and some speculated that he was the “manager in waiting”. However, Dale Sveum and Pedro Grifol are also garnering interest as in-house candidates to replace Ned Yost.
The Choice: Mike Matheny
This is the easiest choice of the bunch as Matheny had success with the Cardinals from 2012-18 including an NL Pennant in 2013. If Matheny wants the job, the Royals would be silly to not give it to him. Ranking open MLB manager jobs.
6. San Francisco Giants
Pessimism
In the discussion for the team of the decade with three World Series titles since 2010, the San Francisco Giants are an aging core that is in need of a reboot. Madison Bumgarner will likely leave in free agency this offseason and Buster Posey’s days as an elite catcher seem to be behind him. The offense in general needs an upgrade as outside a surprising breakout from Mike Yastrzemski, the Giants finished 14th in the NL in runs and OPS.
Optimism
Joey Bart, the best catching prospect in recent memory, has a chance to make his debut next year. This would allow Posey to move to first base full time and spend more focus on his offensive game. Will Smith provided a stable backend of the bullpen but will need to be resigned. Outside of baseball reasons, San Francisco remains one of the best places to live in the country.
Candidates
The Giants have plenty of options to replace Bruce Bochy, both in house and outside candidates. Ron Wotus and Hensley Meulens are the top in house options while former Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and Cubs first base coach Will Venable are rumored to be interviewing.
The Choice: Gabe Kapler
While his tenure in Philadelphia was far from successful, Kapler has ties to Farhan Zaidi, Giants President of Baseball Operations. Kapler would also be given something he was not afforded in Philadelphia, time and patience. Ranking open MLB manager jobs.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
Pessimism
After a hot start to begin the 2019 season, a torn ACL to Andrew McCutchen spelled disaster for the Philadelphia Phillies. A disappearing act from Rhys Hoskins post-All-Star break and a starting rotation that had no reliable arms outside of Aaron Nola led to a disappointing season. The Phillies have an average farm system and their track record for producing homegrown talent is less than stellar since the days of Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley. After the press conference to announce the firing of Gabe Kapler, the Phillies front office appears to be in the midst of a power struggle with GM Matt Klentak seemingly on the losing end.
Optimism
The Phillies bullpen was decimated by injuries and should return quality bullpen arms David Robertson, Pat Neshek, and Tommy Hunter. Bryce Harper is locked down for the long-term and a JT Realmuto extension seems to be on the way. The ownership group, led by John Middleton, has shown that they are more than willing to pay top dollar for free agents and should be in on every big name this winter.
Candidates
The Phillies are leaning towards managerial candidates with extensive experience this offseason. Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker, and Joe Girardi are the names most commonly brought up in their search for a new manager and those three have 53 years of managerial experience between them.
The Choice: Buck Showalter
Showalter is a far cry from Gabe Kapler and that is exactly what John Middleton wants. Showalter will bring a sense of direction to the clubhouse that seemed to not have one under Gabe Kapler. This could be the perfect blend between the old-school style of Showalter and the new-age analytics of Klentak.
4. New York Mets
Pessimism
Even as the second team in the city, the manager of the New York Mets will always have the pressure the goes along with managing in New York. The trade for closer Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano in which the Mets sent back Jared Kelenic and Justin Dunn, two top 70 prospects, is looking worse every day. The offense was inconsistent at best behind Jeff McNeil and presumed NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso.
Optimism
The Mets do have a draw because they play in New York and are not afraid to spend money to acquire talent. The pitching staff arguably boasts more pure talent than any other in baseball and a young core is in place around slugger Pete Alonso.
Candidates
Carlos Beltran and Mike Bell have both been tied to the Mets job. Beltran, a former Met, and nine-time all-star interviewed for the Yankees managerial job last offseason. Mike Bell, the current farm director of the Arizona Diamondbacks, has some managerial experience in the minor leagues. The most intriguing name linked to the Mets is former Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Girardi has more experience than most and won a World Series in 2009.
The Choice: Joe Girardi
Girardi is the obvious choice for the Mets and Girardi appears to have the Mets as his first choice. With experience managing in New York and a great track record of success, the Mets shouldn’t overthink this decision. Ranking open MLB manager jobs.
3. Los Angeles Angels
Pessimism
The Los Angeles Angels have only reached the postseason once since 2010 despite rostering Mike Trout, the best player in baseball. With two more years of Albert Pujols’ contract, the team payroll will be inflated for those years, hindering the Angels’ ability to bring in more free agents. The starting rotation had zero reliable arms after the untimely passing of Tyler Skaggs, and Mike Trout had very little help in the lineup outside of Shohei Ohtani.
Optimism
Mike Trout is the best baseball player on the planet and will retain that title for years to come. Shohei Ohtani should return to the mound in 2020 and put his two-way skills on display again. Jo Adell will make his debut next season and should be a large part of the offense. Hansel Robles looked very comfortable in the closer role and should lock down any leads the Angels to give him in 2020.
Candidates
Joe Maddon was hired by the Angels on Wednesday, becoming the 22nd coach in franchise history.
2. Chicago Cubs
Pessimism
The Chicago Cubs core is going to get expensive quick and with recent moves made to attempt to prolong the championship window, the farm system has taken a hit. Anthony Rizzo has a club option for the next two seasons. Kris Bryant is eligible for an extension soon, as is Wilson Contreras. The starting rotation was decent but with Cole Hamels’ pending free agency, they will need to find a replacement.
Optimism
Theo Epstein is one of the best executives in the game today and Wrigley Field is one of the great venues in sports. Bryant, Contreras, and Javier Baez form an elite core to build the lineup around and Craig Kimbrel is still an elite closer despite his struggles last season.
Candidates
Joe Girardi and the Cubs spoke for eight hours, and the Cubs interviewed former catcher David Ross and bench coach Mark Loretta last week. Gabe Kapler is also on the Cubs radar for an interview in the coming days.
The Choice: David Ross
David Ross was an integral part of the Cubs 2016 World Series team and has relationships with most of the players on the current team. Despite his lack of managerial experience, Ross seems to be a great managerial candidate. He should work well with the Cubs. Ranking open MLB manager jobs.
1. San Diego Padres
Pessimism
The San Diego Padres have not made the postseason since 2006. They do not have a long track record of winning throughout their history. They also play in the same division as the Dodgers, making winning the NL West a difficult task in the years to come. The starting rotation lacks a proven veteran and Manny Machado had the worst season of his career in his first year in San Diego.
Optimism
The Padres have an embarrassment of riches in the majors and waiting in the wings in the farm system. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Luis Urias form a great core for the lineup. Chris Paddack leads the way for a number of high upside pitchers in the Padres organization and Kirby Yates is coming off a dominant 2019 as the closer.
Candidates
Ron Washington and Jayce Tingler are the two finalists for the manager’s role in San Diego. Washington is one of the most respected minds in the game and led the Texas Rangers to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011. Tingler, 38, was the major league player development field coordinator for the Rangers last year and has no managerial experience.
The Choice: Ron Washington
Washington is exactly the steadying presence that the young Padres team needs. He has over 600 career wins as a manager and could be a front runner for Manager of the Year if the Padres are able to take the next step in 2020. Those were the ranking open MLB manager jobs.
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