The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season is coming to a close, and not without its fair share of dramatic turns and managerial shake-ups. Several teams have seen significant changes at the helm, as the pressure to deliver results claimed multiple managerial casualties.
Managerial Changes and Interim Replacements
This season, three managers were dismissed due to under-performance. Pedro Grifol of the Chicago White Sox, Scott Servais of the Seattle Mariners, and David Bell of the Cincinnati Reds all found themselves out of a job as their respective teams faltered. Stepping into the void for the White Sox is Grady Sizemore, who has posted a tough 8-31 record thus far as the interim manager in a challenging debut.
Meanwhile, the Reds have turned to Freddie Benavides as their interim manager, hoping to salvage some positives from a season that has left fans and management alike searching for answers.
In a move that surprised many, the Miami Marlins removed the 2025 club option from Skip Schumaker's contract, this despite Schumaker being the reigning National League Manager of the Year. This decision came early in April and has left a significant void in the Marlins' leadership. Additionally, Kim Ng, the general manager who helped orchestrate some of Miami's recent successes, has also departed, furthering the uncertainty surrounding the franchise's future.
Struggles and Stability
Elsewhere, stability has been juxtaposed with despair. Bud Black is enduring his eighth season as the manager of the Colorado Rockies. However, this tenure has been far from rosy, as the Rockies find themselves at risk of suffering their second consecutive 100-loss campaign. Black’s overall record with the team stands at 536-652, and the Rockies have failed to make a postseason appearance since 2018.
The story is somewhat similar in Toronto where John Schneider’s management of the Blue Jays has not met the expectations of the fans. The Blue Jays are languishing at the bottom of the AL East and have become deadline sellers, a clear indication of the disappointing performances this season.
The Cardinals' Turnaround
One of the brighter spots in a tumultuous season has been the turnaround by the St. Louis Cardinals. After experiencing a disastrous 91-loss season in 2023, the Cardinals made a concerted effort to return to postseason contention in 2024. The fruits of their labor have been visible, as the team put together a winning campaign under the stewardship of Oliver Marmol.
Recognizing Marmol’s efforts and the positive direction he has steered the team, the Cardinals rewarded him with a contract extension through 2026 in the spring. This move has provided a semblance of stability and optimism for the franchise looking to build on their current successes.
Continuity Amidst Chaos
In contrast to the shuffling seen with other teams, some franchises have opted for continuity. Dave Roberts continues to preside over the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team perennially in contention and often viewed as one of the benchmarks in the league. Similarly, Aaron Boone remains at the helm for the New York Yankees, another team with high expectations that has shown faith in its leadership. The Baltimore Orioles, under the guidance of Brandon Hyde, also maintain managerial stability.
The 2024 MLB season has indeed been a rollercoaster of emotions and performances, with teams making strategic decisions about their futures. As the playoff picture begins to crystalize and teams either gear up for postseason battles or start planning for next year, the managerial changes and performances will undoubtedly be topics of discussion well into the offseason.