In the prior year, a mere trio of MLB franchises opted for alterations in their managerial positions. These were the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, and Chicago White Sox.
However, this offseason showcases a considerable surge of activity concerning the head coach roles.
Presently, a number of teams are actively involved in the quest to identify their upcoming field manager. Some among them might deliberate upon retaining their interim managers who concluded the 2025 season. Nonetheless, the remainder will undoubtedly introduce fresh leadership making strategic calls from the dugout come next spring.
Yahoo Sports is actively monitoring the unfolding developments regarding the individuals who will be submitting the lineup cards in the approaching season. The following section provides updates on the latest information concerning managerial vacancies and prospective candidates:
Baltimore Orioles (still have to decide on interim manager)
Subsequent to initiating the season with a 15-28 record, the Orioles relieved Brandon Hyde of his duties. Hyde was in his seventh season as the manager, having guided the team to consecutive postseason appearances in 2023 and 2024. Third-base coach Tony Mansolino stepped in as the interim manager, achieving a winning record in this capacity, with a 60-59 mark, as the Orioles concluded the season at 75-87, positioned last in the AL East division that dispatched three teams to the playoffs.
The latest:
Mansolino is considered a “legitimate candidate” for the role of manager, as stated by Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias. However, Elias indicated during his season-ending press conference that Mansolino would not be the sole candidate under consideration.
The Orioles have also expressed interest in the future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, as per reports from ESPN. It is anticipated that they will conduct an interview with him. It is noteworthy that Elias served as a scout for the Cardinals from 2007 to 2011, during Pujols’ initial tenure in St. Louis. Furthermore, according to ESPN, Pujols maintains a close relationship with former teammate Matt Holiday, whose 21-year-old son, Jackson, is a pivotal component of the Orioles’ core.
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San Diego Padres
Mike Shildt is departing from his role as the manager of the San Diego Padres, according to a report by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune. Shildt communicated to the team that he would be retiring in order to “prioritize my well-being and depart on my own accord,” as he expressed in a letter to the Union-Tribune. This announcement follows a 90-72 season, during which the Padres secured the second position in the NL West and faced a defeat against the Chicago Cubs in the NL wild-card round. Shildt’s tenure with the team spanned two years, both resulting in playoff appearances and accumulating a 183-141 record.
On October 20, former MLB luminary Albert Pujols was identified as a potential contender to succeed Shildt. He is scheduled to engage in discussions with the franchise this week, as reported by ESPN.
Philadelphia Phillies
There will be no vacancy in Philadelphia, as Rob Thomson is slated to return for the upcoming season, as reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Thomson has been at the helm since 2022, steering the Phillies to playoff berths in each of his four seasons. Following their World Series appearance in 2022, Philadelphia encountered a loss in the NLCS the subsequent season. In the past two years, they have not progressed beyond the NLDS, succumbing to defeats against the New York Mets and Dodgers, both instances concluding in four games.
Minnesota Twins
Rocco Baldelli’s seven-season tenure with the Minnesota Twins concluded with a 70-win season, distinguished by a sell-off at the trade deadline. Under Baldelli’s leadership, Minnesota clinched three AL Central titles. He assumed the managerial role in 2019, marking his inaugural managerial position. However, successive seasons devoid of playoff appearances led to his departure as the organization seeks new leadership, with the ownership group, spearheaded by brothers Jim, Bill, and Bob Pohlad, maintaining controlling ownership of the franchise.
The latest:
Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey is spearheading the search for a new manager.
“This sport is ultimately evaluated by outcomes, and over the preceding two seasons, we fell short of achieving the objectives we established,” Falvey conveyed in a team statement.
The Twins secured authorization on Tuesday to interview Yankees hitting coach James Rowson for the managerial position, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. They are also exploring the possibility of engaging in discussions with Red Sox bench coach Ramon Vazquez.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves’ streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances came to an end this year, and after a decade in command, Brian Snitker communicated to the organization that he would not be returning as manager in 2026. Nevertheless, Snitker will remain affiliated with the club in the capacity of a senior advisor. Snitker guided the Braves to a World Series championship in 2021 and secured seasons with over 100 wins in both 2022 and 2023.
The latest:
The individual who assumes the role will be the team’s fourth manager since the conclusion of the 1990 season. One prospective candidate is former Chicago Cubs catcher and manager David Ross, who intermittently started for the Braves from 2009 to 2012. Ross conveyed his interest in the position during an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, although he reportedly did not elaborate extensively on the vacancy, as he remains uncertain whether he will be included on the Braves’ list.
Colorado Rockies (still have to decide on interim manager)
The Colorado Rockies commenced the season with a 7-33 record and dismissed Bud Black in May. Subsequently, Warren Schaeffer was elevated from third-base coach to interim manager. Under Schaeffer’s direction, the Rockies achieved a 36-86 record.
Among Colorado’s cohort of seven pitchers, each initiating at least 10 games this season, merely one exhibited an ERA below 6.33. Nonetheless, perhaps even more disconcerting was the team’s average of 3.69 runs scored per game, ranking as the second-lowest among all major-league teams, notwithstanding their notably hitter-friendly ballpark.
Will interim manager Warren Schaeffer earn the full-time gig for the Colorado Rockies? (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
(Orlando Ramirez via Getty Images)
The latest:
The initial priority: The Rockies necessitate a fresh executive. General manager Bill Schmidt relinquished his position in the aftermath of Colorado’s least successful season in franchise chronicles. The Rockies dwelled in the basement of the NL West throughout the four seasons since Schmidt’s ascent to the GM role. Colorado is actively seeking its next head of baseball operations. Subsequently, the decision will revolve around retaining Schaeffer or selecting an alternative candidate to assume the managerial responsibilities on a full-time basis.
Washington Nationals (still have to decide on interim manager)
The Washington Nationals achieved victory in the World Series in 2019. Since then, they have endured six consecutive losing seasons. In three of the past five years, they have secured 66 or fewer wins. Washington parted ways with both manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo in early July. Bench coach Miguel Cairo was promoted to the role of interim manager, guiding the team to a 29-43 record.
The latest:
The Nationals enlisted Paul Toboni to serve as their new president of baseball operations. Toboni, aged 35, held the position of assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox, reporting to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. Toboni intends to meet with Cairo, but he is responsible for a search that he doesn’t appear to be limiting to candidates with previous major-league managerial experience.
Filled: San Francisco Giants hire Tony Vitello
Despite the Giants exercising Bob Melvin’s option for the 2026 season in July, they ultimately terminated his employment. The Giants collectively amassed a 161-163 record during Melvin’s two seasons at the helm. Team president of baseball operations Buster Posey conveyed that the Giants did not perform up to their anticipated standard while securing the third position in the NL West this year.
Latest news:
The Giants have reportedly appointed Tony Vitello, the head baseball coach of the University of Tennessee, as the club’s new manager on October 22. Vitello, a 47-year-old coach who steered the Volunteers to the 2024 College World Series, lacks prior major-league coaching experience, rendering this a high-profile acquisition for a team that has been performing at an average level. He will be the first college coach to transition to an MLB managerial role without any prior professional coaching background.
Filled: Los Angeles Angels hire Kurt Suzuki
The Los Angeles Angels not only parted ways with manager Ron Washington but also with interim manager Ray Montgomery. On June 27, Washington, aged 73, commenced a medical leave of absence. He subsequently disclosed that he had undergone quadruple bypass surgery on his heart. The Angels have not participated in the playoffs since 2014 and have concluded the season in either fourth or fifth place in the AL West in eight of the past ten seasons.
Latest news:
Following exploratory discussions with Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter, the Angels have designated another former player as their upcoming manager. Former catcher Kurt Suzuki is set to succeed Washington as the team’s manager in the ensuing season.
Suzuki was somewhat of an unexpected candidate for the position, with Pujols garnering the most media attention among those who interviewed for the role. While initial reports suggested that Pujols was owner Arte Moreno’s preferred choice, negotiations with the slugger ultimately faltered, and Pujols was reportedly no longer in contention by late October. A day later, Hunter was also no longer a candidate. Shortly thereafter, Suzuki was announced as the team’s next skipper.
Suzuki joins the Angels following a 16-year MLB career. He spent time with five teams during his MLB tenure, playing his final two seasons with the Angels. Suzuki was a member of the 2019 Washington Nationals, who defeated the Houston Astros to win the World Series. He’s also a one-time All-Star.
Filled: Texas Rangers hire Skip Schumaker
The Texas Rangers transitioned away from Bruce Bochy, who guided the organization to its inaugural World Series title in 2023, following his earlier acquisition of three rings with the San Francisco Giants. However, in the two seasons subsequent to their championship run, Texas failed to qualify for the playoffs. Bochy and the Rangers mutually agreed to part ways, according to the team’s statement.
Latest news:
Texas concentrated its search on former Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker from the outset, and this became official on October 3. Schumaker garnered NL Manager of the Year accolades in 2023 when the Marlins made a return to the postseason for merely the fourth occasion in franchise history. Schumaker’s two-season stint with the Marlins concluded when he resigned after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. He spent the 2025 season with the Rangers as a special advisor.
