Manager Bob Melvin #3 of the San Diego Padres watches batting practice before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on August 26, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
It's five months into the regular season and all 30 Major League Baseball managers that started the year with their respective teams are all still employed.
That's fairly rare, but not totally uncommon. The axe could be coming soon.
Here's a look at some of the managers who are in a tenuous position as the season winds down.
Aaron Boone, New York Yankees: This is Boone's sixth season and the previous five were all very good. But the Yankees have fallen to last place in the AL East with a 62-68 record, GM Brian Cashman called the season a "disaster” and it's fair to say that patience isn't always the best virtue for teams in the Big Apple. The Yankees haven't had a losing season since 1992.
Buck Showalter, New York Mets: The 67-year-old had the Midas touch in 2022, leading the Mets to 101 wins before a disappointing wild-card round exit against the San Diego Padres. Another big season was expected after owner Steve Cohen spent huge on the team's payroll, but the Mets have plunged to the bottom of the NL East with a 60-71 record.
Bob Melvin, San Diego Padres: The 61-year-old is well-respected and took over the Padres in 2022, leading them to an 89-win season and a spot in the NLCS before losing to the Phillies in five games. But the high-priced roster - with stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Yu Darvish and Xander Bogaerts - is just 61-70 this season and will almost certainly miss the playoffs.
Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals: The 37-year-old was surprise choice in 2022 to lead the storied franchise, but the front office looked like genuises after Marmol guided the team to a 93-win season. He hasn't been able to keep the momentum, with the Cardinals falling to 56-75 and a last place spot in the NL Central. They're on pace to lose at least 90 games for the first time since 1990.
Pedro Grifol, Chicago White Sox: The first-year manager has been in charge during a hugely disappointing season on the South Side, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf just fired executive vice president Ken Williams and GM Rick Hahn. On top of that, pitcher Keynan Middleton didn't have a lot of great things to say about the clubhouse culture following his trade to the Yankees.
Bud Black, Colorado Rockies: The 66-year-old manager is well-liked, but is now presiding over his fifth straight losing season. It's not all Black's fault - the team's roster construction is a mess and the team's best players can't seem to stay healthy - but it seems like the the Rockies might need a new voice in the dugout.
Phil Nevin, Los Angeles Angels: Nevin took over the fired Joe Maddon midway through last season, but hasn't had much more success. The Angels are one of the most confounding teams in baseball, failing to make the playoffs despite having two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and one of this generation's best players in Mike Trout. Nevin is far from that team's only problem, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the franchise make a change.
