The 2024 Major League Baseball regular season is winding down, wrapping up a year marked by managerial upheavals and disappointing performances from some of the league’s storied franchises. As teams gear up for the playoffs or prepare for the offseason, notable changes on the managerial front have kept fans and analysts busy speculating about the future.
Managerial Casualties
This season saw three managers dismissed due to under-performance. Pedro Grifol of the White Sox, Scott Servais of the Mariners, and David Bell of the Reds all found themselves out of a job as their respective teams faltered. Grady Sizemore has taken over as the interim manager of the White Sox, posting a tough 8-31 record thus far. Meanwhile, Freddie Benavides has stepped in as the interim manager for the Reds.
The Marlins' Dilemma
In Miami, the Marlins have already made a decisive move regarding Skip Schumaker. Though Schumaker is the reigning National League Manager of the Year, the club's leadership removed the 2025 club option from his contract in early April. This decision came in the wake of former general manager Kim Ng's departure and was intended to allow Schumaker to take control of his own future. As a result, Schumaker is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and he will almost certainly not be back with the Marlins in 2025.
The Rockies' Struggles
Bud Black's tenure with the Rockies has been long but recently marred by a string of unsuccessful seasons. Now in his eighth season as Colorado's manager, Black is looking at what could be his sixth consecutive losing season. Even more worrisome, the Rockies are at risk of suffering their second consecutive 100-loss campaign. Black's overall record with the Rockies stands at 536-652, and the team has failed to make the postseason since 2018.
Blue Jays Fall Short
Over in Toronto, John Schneider's management of the Blue Jays hasn't yielded the results fans had hoped for. Entering the 2024 season with high hopes and World Series aspirations, the Blue Jays now find themselves at the bottom of the AL East. The team’s disappointing performance led them to become deadline sellers, a far cry from their preseason ambitions.
Cardinals on the Rebound?
The St. Louis Cardinals experienced a bounce-back year of sorts under manager Oliver Marmol. Following a disastrous 91-loss season in 2023, the Cardinals aimed to return to postseason contention in 2024. Although they fell short of that goal, the team still managed to put together a winning campaign. Marmol, who signed a contract extension through 2026 in the spring, appears to have secured his position for the foreseeable future.
Steady Hands Amidst Turbulence
While several managers faced the axe, others have retained their roles despite varied results. Dave Roberts continues to lead the Dodgers, Aaron Boone remains at the helm for the Yankees, and Brandon Hyde manages the Orioles. Their continued presence provides a level of stability, even as the league sees significant turnover elsewhere.
As the 2024 season concludes, Major League Baseball teams face a critical juncture. Management decisions now will set the stage for the coming years, and with several prominent managers available, the offseason promises to be as exciting as the postseason. How teams navigate these changes may set the tone for future successes or continued challenges.