\u201cThis is a decisive and convicted demonstration of the confidence we have in our player group,\u201d Breslow said.<\/p>\n
The Red Sox aren\u2019t the only big-market player group struggling to meet high expectations. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Houston Astros have all started dreadfully. A similar decisive, convicted demonstration of confidence by their front offices would hardly be surprising.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, an early shakeup works. In 2003, Jack McKeon took over the Florida Marlins after 38 games and led them to a title. Four years ago, the Phillies installed Rob Thomson after 51 games and went on to a pennant. Those replacements \u2014 like Boston\u2019s interim boss Chad Tracy, who was promoted from Triple-A Worcester \u2013 were already in the organization.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the first place most teams look in-season for replacements. The people who get these jobs tend to be those who are philosophically aligned with the general manager, often special assistant-types with a playing background but little managing experience. If you\u2019re a maverick with an established way of doing things, you may be out of luck.<\/p>\n
We surveyed our staff and people in the game for managerial candidates to watch in the next cycle \u2014 either now, or when full-time jobs come open after the season. This is not a comprehensive list, but a logical place to start.<\/p>\n
Another chance<\/p>\n
These candidates have previous major-league managing experience and understand the modern demands: a cooperative mindset with the front office, strong communication skills with players, an open mind to analytics and comfort with the role of spokesperson for the organization.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2236511402-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Rocco Baldelli, who\u2019s currently a special assistant with the Dodgers, managed the Twins for seven seasons. (Stephen Maturen \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Alex Cora: He\u2019s new to the unemployment ranks, but won\u2019t have to stay there long. In Boston, Cora won a championship under Dave Dombrowski, now the Phillies\u2019 president of baseball operations, and guided two other Red Sox teams to the playoffs.<\/p>\n
Rocco Baldelli: A former Manager of the Year award winner, Baldelli, 44, took the Twins to three postseason berths while interacting smoothly with the front office, the players and the media.<\/p>\n
David Ross: A former catcher \u2014 which always helps \u2014 Ross was a popular teammate for two World Series winners and helped the Cubs improve in each of his full three seasons as manager, until management jumped at Craig Counsell.<\/p>\n
Brandon Hyde: Weathered a rebuild in Baltimore to win American League Manager of the Year in 2023. But the Orioles went backwards after that and were swept in the playoffs twice.<\/p>\n
Others to watch: David Bell, Phil Nevin, Luis Rojas, Scott Servais, Mike Shildt, Chris Woodward<\/p>\n
Top prospects<\/p>\n
This is easily the thickest file in the cabinet. Talent evaluation is part of every GM\u2019s job, and most seem to enjoy applying that skill to the manager\u2019s chair, too. All of these candidates are highly respected but have not yet managed in the big leagues, qualities that often make for an ideal partnership with a like-minded GM.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2186567542-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Omar L\u00f3pez, bench coach for the Astros, guided Venezuela to its first WBC title. (Gene Wang \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
George Lombard: Highly regarded with an extensive resume in player development and major-league coaching, mostly with the Red Sox, the Dodgers and, currently, the Tigers, as A.J. Hinch\u2019s bench coach. Also coached for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP25257241580989-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n