There are quite a few notable managers and top front office executives (general managers or heads of baseball operations who have different titles) entering their last guaranteed year under contract in 2018, creating even more pressure than usual to have a good season. Thanks to Cot’s Baseball Contracts for providing many of these contract details.
As always with this list, it should be noted that contract length is far from an absolute measure of job security. Teams with seemingly stable management could be one disastrous season away from a shakeup in the dugout or front office, while some of the managers or executives listed here could have “stay as long as you want” handshake deals in place. Some teams also don’t publicize contract details for front office executives, so some of the names on the list could have already quietly signed extensions, or there could be other execs entering their last year under contract.
Here are some of the names who could be facing a hotter seat than usual in 2018 (alphabetical order by organization) …
Angels: Long-time manager Mike Scioscia is in an interesting situation as he wraps up an unusually massive contract — ten years at a guaranteed $50MM. After a few disappointing campaigns, there’s definitely pressure to win. And expectations are on the rise as GM Billy Eppler continues to add significant pieces in what has been a highly productive offseason. Just what the future holds really isn’t clear from the outside, but it’ll be fascinating to see how things shake out for Scioscia, who is easily the longest-tenured skipper in the game.
Braves: The Atlanta organization was hit by surprise front office upheaval, perhaps nudging the team to seek stability in the dugout. Thus it was that manager Brian Snitker had his option exercised despite a disappointing second half of the 2017 season. It’s hard to know whether Snitker will have a legitimate shot at maintaining his job into the future, though perhaps he can force the hand of new GM Alex Anthopoulos with a strong performance.
Dodgers: Dave Roberts is almost certainly not going anywhere after managing the Dodgers to the World Series in 2017. But this is the final guaranteed season of his rookie managerial deal, with the club also possessing a 2019 option. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if longer-term negotiations take place at some point over the current offseason.
Indians: Similarly, Cleveland skipper Terry Francona seems to be rather embedded in his organization’s fabric. He is not promised anything past 2018, though the team does possess consecutive options over the ensuing two campaigns. Barring a surprising turn of events, it seems likely Francona will continue running the clubhouse through the end of the potential term contemplated in his deal.
Nationals: It’s hard to know what Nats ownership will do, but president of baseball operations/GM Mike Rizzo has indicated he’s happy either to fulfill his duties as a lame duck or to discuss a new deal if approached. Despite wild success in the regular season — the second-most wins in the majors since 2012, with four NL East titles — the club has fizzled out repeatedly in the postseason. That led to the surprising departure of manager Dusty Baker after the ’17 campaign. All that said, it’d be quite a surprise for the organization to let go of Rizzo, who has steadily produced results throughout his tenure.
Orioles: Things are even more interesting on the north side of the beltway, as O’s executive VP of baseball ops Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter are each entering contract years. There are persistent rumors of discord between those two figures, who’ll also be looking to navigate some tricky roster limitations after a disappointing 2017 season in which the club posted a losing record for the first time since 2011.
Rangers: Indications are that president of baseball ops/GM Jon Daniels is going to lock up a new deal with the organization, though at this point — so far as is known — he’s only under contract through the coming campaign. Meanwhile, manager Jeff Banister may be on shakier ground if he can’t help engineer a turnaround. He’s in a contract year, too, though the club can also simply decide at some point to pick up his 2019 option.
Reds: One of the hottest managerial seats in the game is likely the one in Cincinnati. Current leader Bryan Price was given another chance to work with a still-transitioning roster in 2018, though the club did not pursue any additional future security. Just what the expectations are — further development? real movement in the standings? — isn’t immediately clear, but Price will need to state his case to retain his job.
Royals: Having led the K.C. club to a stunning World Series win, skipper Ned Yost likely isn’t in any risk. But he is entering the final year of the two-year extension he signed after the 2015 season. The Royals are readying for a new phase after losing several core players to free agency, creating some uncertainty. Yost says he doesn’t expect still to be at the helm when the club is again cresting, but has indicated he hopes “to get a firm footing and a firm foundation on the ground” to hand off to a successor. Just how long he and the team will want to continue the current arrangement isn’t known.
I don’t know what the orioles will do
Doesn’t Showalter want to move into the front office to be the GM?
Thank you
Not sure how attached DD is to Baltimore, or the organization to him. My sense is that Show will stay in the dugout (as long as he reasonably wants) and the new GM hire becomes more of a yes man to Show.
They should let Buck go. Every team he manages becomes successful after he leaves.
Fire Snitker
I think with the Braves new GM, Snitker is on the hot seat for sure now. The team better perform in 2018, or he will be replaced. Personally, I would liked to have seen Washington get the job in the dugout, his experience would be priceless with these younger guys coming up. Snitker would likely stay in the organization in some capacity, as he’s been with the Braves organization for over 40 years. I feel the Braves will be built for contention by 2019.
Hot seat for what? The Braves stink something awful
Snitker sucks
Why? You want Gonzalez back?
What’s the story with Snitker?
Do Braves fans not like him because the team stunk, or because of the way he manages?
Given his extensive minor league background, seems like a decent choice for a transitioning Braves team…
I believe that both Jerry Dipoto and Scott Servais are in the final years of their contracts with the Mariners, and with the club’s current level of performance, both should be feeling a fairly warm keister these days.
Dipoto shouldnt be in the league anymore, im suprised he lasted this long! Ruined 3 teams.
Not sure what team you are looking at but Seattle is much better than they were 3 years ago. The minors might not be at the top but they were at the bottom when Bavasi was here, Z didn’t help things and Dipoto has used what little talent we had to make a decent club.
We have had awful GMs since Gillick who also depleted the minors to win now. He at least put a winning team in the field. The FO just wouldn’t let them fill holes at the deadline that is why Lou left. The FO and GMs have sucked the Managers have been all overt the place. When we get a decent one they let him go too soon. Have to see with Servais. He has a lot to learn still but has improved. I am not sure if he is the guy to take us to the WS though. We need to see what else we can get for SP to see how will Dipoto did this off season. So far not so bad. Would have been great if Ohtani would have come here.
Dipoto actually has accrued some intriguing talent. Injuries hurt them last year. I could see them as quite competitive this year.
Sorry but trading your top prospects in a poor farm for dee gordon is plain dumb. Dipoto makes trades that handicap organizations. I.e. roberto baldoquin, most of his draft selections either havent paned out or are fringe players. Dipotos talent evaluations are terrible. Mariners stars are old cano and cruz are both over 35 lmao, seager is the only player in his prime. Paxton is there only legit starter, not to mention there farm is in the bottom 3 without the bad trade for gordon. Mariner fans are jaded beyond belief!
I thought the Gordon deal was a precursor to try and get otane (however it’s spelled) but it didn’t work out obviously. Can’t remember the guts of it tho
Right, trading a player with a ceiling of a 3-4 starter for a proven, established every day player with 4 years of control at a reasonable price is dumb.
Dipoto has made his mistakes, but he’s had his breaks as well, as is the case with most GM’s. He has a solid team on the field now with 1B being the possible exception, though I like Ford’s chanced of success, and if he struggles, it’s not like finding a first baseman at the deadline would be difficult. The bullpen is solid as well, and though they could use another starting pitcher, so could the rest of the league.
Talk about a jaded comment, you’re trying to dismiss virtually everyone you can. You think anyone cares that Cruz is 37 after the monster seasons he’s had? Cano played through injury last season and still lit it up with RISP. How about Mike Leake’s performance since being acquired, or Erasmo Ramirez?
The Mariners had a real need for an outfielder. They tried to land Jon Jay, but apparently they couldn’t work out a deal, so they improvised. They got their speed as well, which was also needed since Dyson departed.
The back-end prospects in that deal for slot money probably wouldn’t have happened if they had known Ohtani would sign with LAA, but Neidert for Gordon was the focal point of that deal.
You mean All Star level Dee Gordon, the guy who the Dodgers were dumb to trade away. .300 hitter 50 plus stolen bases and will play a great center field. Lol
Batting average isn’t relevant
Kevin Towers ruined the D-Backs. He was AWFUL
Wow a lot of people have no idea how badly Dipoto destroyed the Angels, remember he came in after Mike Trout and left the front office ablaze, he threw our farm system away for one year players who didn’t pan out, he traded two of the top 5 prospects on the Mariners for an experiment in Gordon, who has no arm and will be learning as he goes… very risky. That’s his game. His legacy is trash.
What you believe and what Stanton and the Seattle ownership group believes are two different things. Barring a complete meltdown, don’t be surprised if he’s extended.
Angels have Ausmus in the front office now. Maybe Scioscia retires and Brad takes over. Thoughts?
Ew
Scioscia will surely be looking to go somewhere else. The Angels are clearly in a soft rebuild. They are preparing for Mike Trout’s departure. There is no other explanation for the Angels refusal to touch their farm when they could have had Giancarlo Stanton and Cesar Hernandez but happily settled for old man Kinsler and Little League park veteran Zack Cozart who might not get twelve balls to leave the yard in 2018 now that he’ll be playing the majority of his games in huge ballparks.
Mike Trout is just used for an attendance and TV ratings draw. When October 1st rolls around Trout will be headed back to Millville, NJ to watch the playoffs on TV.
Another ridiculous comment from non other than caseys partner. Stanton had absolutely nothing to do with the prospect return. It was about taking on the massive contract. Taking that money was never an option with pujols already there. Adding Uptons new deal, Ohtani, kinsler and Cozart is solid. If anything they are trying to go all in while trout is still there. Angels are in good position to be a playoff team this season
That was my point, the Angels could get Stanton and Hernandez because the Marlins were most interested in unloading the contract.
The Angels could afford to take Stanton’s contract. Jesus mothereffingchrist look at the Nationals and they don’t even have a decent TV deal.
Cesar Hernadez is on the Phillies, not the marlins. And he would have required a decent prospect package to get. The Angels cant take on stantons money are you nuts.
1) where would he play? Trout, upton and calhoun +ohtani and pujols at DH.
2) If there is any hope of re-signing trout it would be destroyed by taking on stanton.
3) They literally just gave Upton 100 million. Adding Stanton would put them way over the luxury tax, which the owner Moreno hates being over.
Surprised this wasn’t said.
4) Stanton is a man who knew what he wanted– No guarantee he waives his blanket no trade for Angels.
Both SF and STL had a chance to sit down and with him and change his mind.
What makes you think Eppler would succeed when the team finished 80-82? Only thing that comes to mind is Ohtani (Nice catch)
Maybe they would convince him if Trout wasn’t injured they would’ve made the playoffs? Credit the Angels, they were in it to the very end.
Stanton is from Los Angeles. Of course he would joyously accept a trade to the Angels.
How can you compare what the Nationals are doing to anyone else??
They are deferring so much money to after players are gone they will be flat broke in a few years!
Caseys point is well taken. Stanton is from LA which is why the Dodgers kept being front runners.
No one talked about the Angels but Casey is right in that the Angels are as close to LA as he can get.
Casey points out that the Angels could have made an offer. They do have the money and the prospect cost would not have been much.
Good point Casey. I am wondering why the Angels did not at least try. Stanton and Trout in the OF is as exciting as Stanton and Judge.
In fact, he literally came out and stated he would only waive his no-trade clause for the Yankees, Cubs, Astros, or Dodgers. Angels were not on the list.
Could you give me a link to this Stanton __quote__?
Thanks.
No MLB team has ever gone “broke”. The Fake News corporate media who cover MLB regularly tell us about MLB’s debt rules and other restrictions which make such an outcome impossible.
The Nationals are an example that all other teams should be compared to.
Stanton wouldn’t like the pitchers park in Anaheim, he would never hit more than 35 there.
Stanton is exactly where he wanted to be and where I predicted that he would be before he signed that monster contract, the Yankees. People think that Harper will be a Yankee. I don’t see that happening because they can go after Trout in a few years, but I do see them signing Machado though because they have no 3rd basemen on the horizon
Andujar is ready for the Yankees, Harper will be a Yankee, Machado may be also. Plenty of room lol
How are the Angels in a rebuild with all their offseason moves showing the opposite intent?
And what is a “soft” rebuild? Just curious.
A soft rebuild is what the Angels are doing. They are making cosmetic moves when there are strong moves they could have made. They have put their farm system off limits. If they continue this they can see themselves with a strong farm and players like their two strong outfield prospects arriving the same year Trout leaves.
Rebuilds always begin years before a team publicly admits to it because they want to drain as much money from the bank accounts of their fan base as possible. Exceptions to this are a team run like the Marlins.
Angels are a 70 win team this year, Ohtani Tommy Johns Surgery, no homers and Trout will get figured out
I don’t call that a soft rebuild. It’s more like retooling
Yeah, that works: they’re equally bad.
Why would you want Brad? He couldn’t win the first couple of years with a loaded Tigers Team
I hope roberts get canned soon! If we had a comparable coach we would have won the world series.
Lol
Ummm, ya, let’s bring back Mattingly! You’re an idiot!
Pretty sure i didnt say bring back mattingly just someone who actually knows how to coach. Should have hired kappler.
“Knows how to coach” and “Kappler” ?!?!?!
How do these two belong in the same sentence, let alone the same idea? Unless you’re counting Kapler’s Israeli WBC coaching as enough experience to be a guy who “knows how to coach” you have no idea what you actually want. And no, Kapler does not control that LA team better than Mattingly or Roberts
Joe Yo Mad Bro? Maddon says hi.
Maddon? He’s a fn joke!
But he’s a WACKY GENIUS!!! Baseball Tonight keeps telling me that!
Over the last 10 seasons split between the Rays and Cubs, Maddon has averaged 92 wins/seasons, has won 90+ games 8 times, reached the playoffs 7 times, won 4 division titles, won 2 pennants and won a championship while breaking a 108 year curse for the Cubs.
But I guess when you’re Batman everyone else must look like an fn joke right? Get better material next time you want to troll. Someone might take you seriously.
Well, Maddon has a World Series ring, so I would argue that he’s made a joke out of commenters who blast him.
Bryan Price hasn’t impressed me one bit in the past two years! I have always liked Dusty Baker, but I am sure that they won’t be bringing him back. It seems like the team gets good players and then lets them go immediately after. This big red machine fan is losing patience!
Baker is overrated. Anyone could have led a team that featured Max Scherzer, Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg to division titles in the NL East in 2016 and 2017. I’d like to see how he does with a team that isn’t stacked with talent.
Bakers history shows he is a good manager who gets he most out of the talent he is given.
However your point as to the talent of the Nationals is well taken. In this case the talent was there.
Price hasn’t been kept around Cinci because he’s succeeded on any tangible level. He’s been a placeholder whose only remarkable moment was the postgame interview when he dropped 70+ f-bombs. I can’t even imagine a scenario where the Reds would bring him back, but at the same time I kinda shudder to think who his replacement might be.
I’m glad Tito is sticking around. Cleveland window is still very open this year, but it’s a little less strong in 2019-2020 so hopefully they can go far again this year.
Francona has worked magic during his time in CLE, and his greatest challenge might just be figuring out where to play Kipnis next year. I wouldn’t put it past Tito to create an entirely new position just for Kipnis.
I wish Tito would let Kipnis play a little 2B and slide Jose to SS and 3B when Lindor and Yandy need a day off. Assume Kipnis can play LF and CF, maybe even a little RF.. Can DH when facing lefty starters and throw Edwin to 1B.
it’s nice to see someone outside ANA see what dipoto is(n’t) worth.
with that said, sadly sosh has played out his role. baseball has changed and ‘old school’ managers will become a thing of the past.
time for new management before mike leaves for PHI.
The Phillies put the cherry on top of their shift to analytics when they hired Kapler. They’ll have no interest in Scioscia.
Pretty sure he meant Mike as in Trout
That would make more sense. lol
The analytical community around MLB has been giggly with enthusiasm for the Phillies signing Santana to play 1B and moving Rhys Hoskins to LF.
Trout is already a Philly, I live here and he secretly wears a Philly uniform during offseason
Buck Showater must have pissed someone off in another life. He’s canned from the Yankees after the 95 season to miss that amazing run, canned right before the 2001 season when the D backs win it all, and is canned right before Texas goes to the World Series as well. Now he is most likely gonna get fired after getting close two seasons ago and then Angelos closes his wallet and leaves him with nothing. Maybe in the next life Buck.
I agree. I have always felt Buck is one of the best managers out there. He should be lucky to get fired in Baltimore. That situation is hopeless.
Buck would not be out of work long.
Maybe he manages the Braves in 2019. I think that would be a good fit.
Cleveland’s window ? I’m going to bet closed !
My team ( jays)….start a soft rebuild….but won’t compete in 2018
Indians window is closing fast. If Miller and Allen both leave thats pretty much it
What does the Jays have to do with Cleveland? Different division. They have Detroit and K.C., they are both 90 loss teams at best. Not sold on the Twins, think it was a fluke. With their rotation they would be fine in any division, will dominate possibly the weakest division in baseball.
Yup. And the Jays aren’t touching the Yankees or Red Sox. They’re better off starting a rebuild with a Donaldson trade
Hey Jeff, Yankees seldom sign anyone to contract extensions (an outdated policy I vehemently disagree with… but I digress 😉 )
How was Cashman’s 5 year contract an “extension” if previous contract expired 2017, and “extension” was signed Dec 2017. do you think his “extension” signed Less than a month before contract was set to expire “symbolic” in any way Yanks appreciate him.
Ask yourself…when was the last time Yankees gave extensions players or anyone in front office? Girardi never even got an extension once and he signed 3 contracts with the team. strange seeing Cashman got an “extension” but new contract was expected
Brett Gardner current contract is an extension signed in his last year of arbitration. Only reason I remember that is exactly because Yankees don’t typically hand out extensions.
Exactly. An outdated, antiquated policy. I forgot about Gardy’s extension for the exact same reason you remembered: They never hand out extensions!
I had to look it up just to be sure…. And you were right! I copied and pasted this from the original MLB.com article:
“The Yankees don’t generally negotiate contract extensions with their players, but they’ve deviated from that policy on occasion, extending Robinson Cano in 2008 and more recently attempting to do so with Russell Martin. For instance, Cashman said he hasn’t had any conversations with reliever David Robertson’s camp about a possible extension.” mlb.com/news/yankees-agree-to-four-year-52-million…
CC and Jeter multiple times I believe. But it’s hard to extend players if they aren’t your core guys.
R. Sox are the same. Pedroia and Ortiz are the only two I remember in recent years.
Good point. Its a new contract. I guess since he is continuing in his role they call it an extension?
Scioscia walked in on a World Series caliber team and nothing since 18 long years. It was time for change ten years ago he has been nothing but trouble and was directly and indirectly responsible for good people getting fired……I can’t wait till he leaves and screws up some other organization.
I’ve been wanting Scioscia gone for 10 years now.He leaves pitchers in to long he holds grudges at players and doesn’t play them wean he should.If he can’t win this year with the team Eppler put together then send him packing !!!!!
Why didn’t you just get another burrito Todd?
i hope a lot managers get fired and it gets so contagious matheny gets fired from st louis. he should be on the hot seat.
Agreed. Matheny should be on hot seat
I think Ned has indicated he expects this to be his last season. I could see him maybe coming back next season but he’s getting up there in age, and after his accident this offseason I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to retire to spend time with his family. So lets do what the Indians did, wait a year after a successful Red Sox manager was fired and bring him aboard. Seemed to work for them.
Scioscia is a baseball God. I’m sure the angels will sign him to an extension and offer 10% of the team to him as well.
I feel like Francona should be the Cardinals manager instead of Matheny. Matheny is on the hot seat and very well should be. Mo cathered to his strengths only to bring in coaches with experience and different philosophies. I still don’t understand why Mabry is still the hitting coach, even though I think he’s on a short leash with Willie McGee in the fold now. If not Francona, Oquendo if he wants it. Buck Showalter wouldn’t be a bad option either. Old school manager but a great teacher of the game and a man that deserves a championship
Francona, Scioscia, Bochy ,Maddon are all dying breed and finishing their last contracts. Teams are going for cheap micro managers and these guys not taking pay cut
Scioscia needs to go……….a long time ago. New blood 18 years is to long 3 to 5 at best. He is set in his ways and problematic. To bad they let joe madden slip away. You should hear what goes on behind closed doors.