MLB manager hot seat rankings

While the Nats allowed Bryce Harper to walk in free agency, they entered the season with high expectations after signing Patrick Corbin. The roster has its share of stars with Corbin, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon, yet the team was almost out of the playoff race entering June. Washington was also the most disappointing team of 2018, at 82-80, and fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist in early May. Frankly, it's surprising Martinez has lasted this long in his second year.

The Mets sideshow continues. Callaway's team finished with 77 wins in his first season but seemingly went all in this offseason by adding Edwin Diaz, Robinson Cano and Wilson Ramos and also allowed rookie Pete Alonso to stick on the roster out of spring training, thereby losing a year of team control. Yet, New York was below .500 entering June, and the pitching staff (Callaway's area of expertise) has been disappointing.

It's hard to believe him, but Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has insisted he expects the Marlins to win now. Jeter and Mattingly go way back to their days with the Yankees, but if Jeter truly practices what he preaches, Mattingly could be on the chopping block. To the surprise of no one (except maybe Jeter), the Marlins were 21-36 through June 3 and in contention for the worst record in baseball.

On one hand, the Reds ranked fourth in run differential in the NL through June 1. On the other hand, they were in last place at 27-32 with a lineup that has been a massive disappointment. The Reds' pitching additions have worked out for the most part, particularly Sonny Gray and Tanner Roark, but the team had much higher expectations in Bell's first season. It would be surprising if Cincinnati fired Bell in his first year but not unprecedented.

Yost gets some leeway for leading the Royals to two World Series, but the organization's last winning season was its World Series championship 2015 season. K.C. won only 58 games last year and is well on its way to another embarrassing finish. The hiring of former Cardinals manager Mike Matheny as a front office assistant opened some eyes, and he would make sense as a replacement if the Royals move on from Yost, whose contract expires after this season.

Maddon is in the last year of his contract with the Cubs, and the team has high expectations for 2019 despite making few offseason moves. While they have appeared in four straight playoffs, including their historic World Series win in 2016, their playoff success under Maddon has otherwise been fleeting. The NL Central has never been tougher during Maddon's tenure than it is this season, but the team might decide to finally move on from him if it doesn't go further in the playoffs this year.

Shildt was the Cardinals savior last season, going 41-28 after the first-time manager was promoted following Mike Matheny's firing. His start to this season has been more innocuous at 30-28, third place in the loaded NL Central. The Cardinals are desperate to make the playoffs after failing over the last three seasons and trading a significant package for Paul Goldschmidt in the offseason. Shildt can't be faulted for the team's starting pitching struggles, but ownership could make changes if the team disappoints again this year.

You've probably heard this one before, but the Angels have been plagued by multiple pitching injuries and have struggled to find hitters around Mike Trout this year. They had the same issue recently under Mike Scioscia, and Ausmus hasn't been able to buck the trend despite being far more amenable to using openers and defensive shifts. Ausmus should get some slack, but it's inexcusable for the team to not be competitive for so long. The Angels are at risk of finishing below .500 for the fourth straight season.

The Pirates remain within striking distance in the NL Central, though winning the division doesn't truly look realistic with Jameson Taillon and Trevor Williams injured. Pittsburgh's pitching staff has been far worse than expected as a result, and their negative-68 run differential through 58 games currently is the third-worst in the league. Hurdle has done a nice job considering the circumstances, but the team has finished above .500 only once in the last three years and could be in for a standings plunge if it doesn't get healthy quickly.

The M's had a fire sale this offseason despite winning 89 games in 2018 but were able to get off to a hot start anyway. The Jay Bruce trade on June 2 likely was the first domino to fall in a continuing rebuild with the team standing 17 games out of first place. Servais hasn't done anything wrong, but it remains to be seen whether the front office sees him as the right manager for what will soon become a younger roster.

Kapler took the ire of the Philly media and fans with his early struggles last year, but he's grown into the managerial role. The Phils are off to a first-place start this year after a bevy of big offseason moves, headlined by the signing of Bryce Harper. However, the Braves are hot on their tails, and Kapler could find himself on the hot seat if the team fails to make the playoffs given the talent on the roster.

Renteria was let go by the Cubs right when they were ready to break out, due to Joe Maddon's availability. That seems unlikely to happen with his current team on a similar track, especially since it has hovered near .500. Opposing teams rave about the White Sox hustle, and they're seeing some real breakout players this year with Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and Lucas Giolito.

The Tigers hired Gardenhire because of his experience managing a young team in Minnesota. He rolled with the punches last year, winning only 64 games, and the results look similar this year. The team should be satisfied with the development of Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull and Christin Stewart, and there are plenty of high upside arms close to the majors. It would be a surprise if the Tigers didn't give Gardenhire another year.

The Padres apparently saw an opportunity to build momentum in San Diego this season, signing Manny Machado before spring training and allowing hot prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack to crack the Opening Day roster. There's plenty to like on a Padres roster loaded with young talent, and the team stood at 31-29 despite a negative-22 run differential. We don't have any reason to think Green won't be allowed to see this rebuild through after losing over the last three seasons.

Hyde is losing about as much as expected for an organization that made almost no effort to win more in 2019. New GM Mike Elias seems to be following the Houston Astros model of losing as much as possible for draft capital, and the front office can evaluate Hyde's managerial prowess in the process. He should have at least another year to get used to the role.

Montoyo seems well-liked in the Toronto clubhouse, which is good news with the team doing plenty of losing this year. Toronto is in a rebuild and could soon trade more of its major league assets after moving Kevin Pillar earlier this season. The organization should be patient with Montoyo while he works with the youngsters, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio, early this season.

Is it time for Cleveland to rebuild? The team's window could be closing after winning three straight AL Central titles. As of June 3, Cleveland was 11.5 games behind the Twins with Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger injured. The team still has a shot at the wild card due in large part to the easy schedule in the weak AL Central. Kluber will be a free agent after this season, and it remains to be seen if Francona would want to stick out another rebuild now at age 60.

Melvin has been Oakland's manager since 2012, and the A's have exceeded expectations on a nearly annual basis, including their 97 wins and a wild-card spot last year. They were at .492 through 59 games this season, but that record has put them in wild-card contention again. The starting rotation is getting healthier with the hope of Sean Manaea returning around the All-Star break and has seen more breakouts this year with Frankie Montas and Chris Bassitt.

The statheads don't love Snitker, but he has plenty of momentum with one of the best young rosters in baseball. Atlanta made the playoffs ahead of schedule last year and is in the thick of the playoff race again this season at 32-27 through June 3. Snitker has managed to win despite a makeshift bullpen due to Arodys Vizcaino's injury and A.J. Minter's struggles. There is plenty of depth in the majors and minors, so there's no reason to think the team will slide in the second half.

Lovullo has done an outstanding job for Arizona since he was hired two seasons ago. He led the team to the playoffs in 2017, and it still managed 82 wins last year despite injuries. Even after losing Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin this offseason, the Diamondbacks started this year around .500 through the first two months. They're at risk of losing steam after Luke Weaver's injury, but the job Luvollo has done is exemplary for the third straight year.

Colorado has surprised many analysts by making the playoffs in consecutive seasons. After a slow start to this season, the team won seven straight games through June 1 to get back into contention for the NL wild card. The performance has been especially admirable with struggles in the starting rotation behind German Marquez and Jon Gray.

Roberts has led the Dodgers to consecutive World Series appearances, and they had the best record in the NL by a wide margin through June 3. Roberts has received past criticism for his playoff managing, but it's hard to believe the team would want to move on from him anytime soon, even if it fails to win the World Series again this year.

No team in baseball has had more impactful injuries than the Yankees early this season, yet they still stand in first place in the tough AL East. Among those injured are Luis Severino, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius, but an elite bullpen and astute additions by GM Brian Cashman have helped the team survive. Boone drew praise for winning 100 games during the regular season last year and is a top Manager of the Year candidate this season. Of course, fans and ownership expect much more from Boone when the playoffs arrive. 

Texas has been one of this year's most surprising teams early in the year, with the pitching performances from Mike Minor and Lance Lynn putting the Rangers in wild-card contention entering June. Their offense has also been elite for most of the year, but an oblique injury for star center fielder Joey Gallo threatens their success. Regardless, the Rangers have to be happy with Woodward's performance early in his first season.

Great coaches get the most out of their players, and that's exactly what Counsell has done since becoming the manager in 2015. The Brewers won the NL Central with 96 wins last season, and they lead the division through June 1. Christian Yelich is playing at an MVP level again, and the starting rotation continues to turn rags into riches with the likes of Zach Davies, Brandon Woodruff and Gio Gonzalez. Milwaukee is now one of the most forward-thinking franchises in baseball, and Counsell has done an outstanding job marrying old and new schools.

Minnesota was one of baseball's most disappointing teams in 2018 at 78-84 and fired Paul Molitor after the season. After a few astute offseason moves, including the hiring of Baldelli from Tampa Bay, the team had the best record in the AL as of June 3. The team is hitting home runs at a record pace, and Baldelli has used some of what he learned in Tampa Bay, including an unorthodox handling of the bullpen. So far, so good.

Cora won the World Series in his first season as an MLB manager. After a rough start for Boston, the team came around in May. The Red Sox were still just 30-29 as of June 3 but have a strong outlook to at least win a wild-card spot with the starting rotation shaping up recently. There are high expectations with the most expensive payroll in the game, but it would take an absolute disaster for Cora to not get an opportunity beyond this year.

The Astros are trying to win 100 games for the third straight season and are on pace through the first two months of the season. While Houston's starting rotation hasn't been quite as stable as last year, it has managed just fine with the additions of Wade Miley and Brad Peacock. The lineup is having some injury issues lately with George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, yet the team has the depth to plug those holes. Anything short of another World Series win will be disappointing for Houston this year, but Hinch bought himself plenty of goodwill after winning the World Series in 2017.

Cash has been the biggest risk taker of any manager in baseball since he was hired in 2015. Whether the organization's ideas are from Cash or the front office, it's clear that they've made a positive difference on the field with the Rays winning 90 games last year and starting this season 35-22. Tampa Bay continues to use the opener, bullpen starts, shifts and a closer-by-committee approach to remain in contention despite the lowest payroll in baseball. The only real risk to Cash's job is another team stealing him away from the Rays after 2019.

San Francisco's manager since 2007, Bochy announced before the 2019 season that this would be his final year. The Giants are struggling on the field for the third straight season, and new GM Farhan Zaidi would probably like to use more analytical on-field tactics as the organization undergoes a full rebuild. Despite that desire, Bochy has earned the right to ride off into the sunset after winning three World Series with the Giants and an overall successful 25-year managerial career between San Diego and San Francisco.