With Seven Jobs Open, Here’s Who’s Interviewing for MLB’s Managerial Vacancies

Candidates to Fill MLB’s Managerial Vacancies

Baltimore Orioles

The O’s have been a sneaky team to watch so far in terms of potential managerial candidates. The Baltimore situation is regarded as one of the best across Major League Baseball. Andy Martino of SNY reported on Thursday that current New York Yankees third base coach and former manager of the New York Mets, Luis Rojas, interviewed for the position this week. ESPN also reported on Wednesday that future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols is expected to interview for the role. The Orioles have not ruled out bringing back interim manager Tony Mansolino yet. Mansolino did a really good job taking over from Brandon Hyde in mid-May, carrying the team to a record near .500.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels’ job might be one of the more confusing vacancies to follow. The belief around the organization is that owner Arte Moreno will be choosing his next manager, and GM Perry Minasian will have limited say in the matter. The Angels are among the suitors, and likely the leading candidate, to land Pujols, who spent most of the second half of his career with the Angels. Others who have been rumored around the opening include Torii Hunter, Kurt Suzuki, and Bud Black.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins’ situation is weird because the expectation is that they are entering yet another rebuild. After firing Rocco Baldelli after a 70-92 season, the Twins are looking in different places to find their new skipper. Andy Martino reported on Tuesday current Yankees hitting coach and former hitting coach of the Twins, James Rowson, has interviewed for the position, and things seem to be gaining steam between the two sides. The Twins are also expected to interview former franchise icon Torii Hunter, former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton, Boston Red Sox bench coach Ramon Vasquez, Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, and San Diego Padres coach Nick Punto, according to The Athletic.

San Francisco Giants

Buster Posey is going to get his guy. Posey has made it clear that he wants to win, and in his first season as PBO of the Giants did a lot of good, like bringing in Rafael Devers via trade with the Red Sox. But he also had to sell players at the deadline when the team was on the outside looking in of the postseason picture. Selling at the deadline untimidly might have been the best decision for Posey, as he brought in some really nice talent, like Drew Gilbert, that will help the team into 2026. Posey will be hellbent on bringing in as much top talent this offseason as he can, but the first is a new skipper. Nick Hundley and Kurt Suzuki interviewed for the position last week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty is also under consideration.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies have been very quiet so far in terms of a managerial search. The expectation for the Rockies is that they will first hire a President of Baseball Operations before a new manager. Currently, the Rockies’ PBO job is gaining serious interest around baseball, with some candidates being Toronto Blue Jays executive and former Houston Astros general manager James Click, Kansas City Royals assistant GM Scott Sharp, and Cleveland Guardians assistant GM Matt Forman, according to The Athletic.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have also held their cards close to their chest so far when it comes to managerial candidates. Former Braves player and former Cubs manager David Ross expressed interest in the role, and another person to watch is current Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, who, as mentioned earlier, could primed to get one of the seven open positions.

San Diego Padres

Saving the best job for last, the Padres are definitely the best situation for a new manager to walk into. It is too early to project what candidates are a fit for A.J. Preller and the Padres. Albert Pujols would certainly be a fit for the Padres. Ryan Flaherty interviewed for the position ahead of 2024 before the Padres landed Mike Schildt, who retired earlier this week. Former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is also an option, and a good one at that. Preller made it clear that he wants a manager who would want to manage for 10 seasons, and hiring a younger manager would be beneficial to achieve that goal. Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports