Well, we’re well into the month of May and two teams have fired their managers.
Derek Shelton’s record was awful in five-plus years with the Pirates (306-440 for a .410 winning percentage). That was clearly not a reflection of the abilities of the skipper but a sad commentary on the state of the game that sees certain teams unable and/or unwilling to make an honest effort to win. Sure, maybe some combination of Earl Weaver, Sparky Anderson and Tony La Russa could have coaxed a few more victories out of the Pirates, but none of them are going to be back managing again. I doubt interim skipper Don Kelly will move the needle at PNC Park.
Bud Black has had two managing jobs, lasting eight-plus seasons in San Diego and Colorado. The Rockies have become one of the worst-run franchises in baseball since they moved on from GM Dan O’Dowd back in 2014 after 15 seasons. Black is a respected pitching mind and manager in spite of poor on-field results that were not deemed to be his fault.
So with two down, the question becomes who is next. Some fans in Baltimore believe Brandon Hyde should be next. Don’t count me among the hoard calling for his head. In fact, I think Mike Elias is doing the right thing in giving him a vote of confidence of sorts. While the high expectations for 2025 in Birdland may not be met, and yes, the team does face a tough climb to make the playoffs, I feel confident that this team can pull itself back together again. I also believe more blame should fall on the GM who assembled a questionable roster. Passing the buck and firing Hyde would appear shallow and cowardly over the long haul.
So, who could be next? Dave Martinez in D.C. and John Schneider in Toronto loom as the most probable to me.
Here are my latest MLB power rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (27-14, No. 1 last week): With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow out, the Dodgers snap their fingers and Tony Gonsolin reappears with a 2.81 ERA and 21 strikeouts and four walks covering three starts and 16 innings. The depth of their roster is still kind of staggering.
2. San Diego Padres (25-14, No. 2): Xander Bogaerts hasn’t gotten off to a great start, hitting .244/.331/.356 with two homers. As we detailed last week, the ‘pen has been carrying the Padres.
3. Detroit Tigers (26-15, No. 4): Aside from reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, A.J. Hinch’s most dependable starter has been Casey Mize (6-1, 2.53 ERA, 1.01 WHIP). Now he is on the 15-day IL with a hamstring injury. This is the Tigers’ first challenge of the season.
4. New York Mets (26-15, No. 5): The Mets put together an impressive week, taking two of three in Arizona and then coming home to Citi Field to win two of three against the Cubs.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (24-16, No. 6): After a spotty three-week period, the Phillies have been looking more themselves with a 9-3 mark the past two weeks. Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner are getting the job done leading a deep lineup.
6. Chicago Cubs (23-18, No. 3): With lefty Justin Steele out for the season and fellow lefty Shota Imanaga on the IL, the Cubs’ chances of really being around all year could come down to what top pitching prospect Cade Horton does in the next several weeks.
7. New York Yankees (23-17, No. 9): The Yankees are hitting .263/.348/.481 with 235 runs scored and 70 homers as a team. Sure, the staff isn’t what it could be with Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil out, but the Yankees are still 11th in the big leagues in runs allowed. Aaron Judge has driven in roughly a run a game through 40 contests.
8. Kansas City Royals (24-18, No. 11): The Royals have all the pieces in place and are leaving nothing to chance with a 15-4 mark the past three weeks. Steady starting pitching is paving the way for this explosion of wins. The depth of that rotation was greatly buoyed by a one-start call-up for Noah Cameron.
9. Cleveland Guardians (23-17, No. 10): How sustainable is this perch? Opponents have scored 17 more runs than the Guardians, who have just two dynamic offensive players in Steven Kwan and José Ramírez. They really need at least one more. I don’t see it on the horizon.
10. San Francisco Giants (24-17, No. 7): The Giants return home for six interesting games with the Diamondbacks and Athletics — a good week to measure themselves against a solid division rival and an up-and-coming club in Sacramento.
11. Seattle Mariners (22-17, No. 8)
12. Boston Red Sox (22-20, No. 12)
13. Arizona Diamondbacks (21-20, No. 14)
14. Atlanta Braves (19-21, No. 18)
15. Texas Rangers (20-21, No. 15)
16. Athletics (21-20, No. 13)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (22-19, No. 24)
18. Houston Astros (20-19, No. 16)
19. Cincinnati Reds (20-22, No. 17)
20. Minnesota Twins (21-20, No. 25)
21. Milwaukee Brewers (20-21, No. 20)
22. Toronto Blue Jays (20-20, No. 19)
23. Tampa Bay Rays (18-22, No. 21)
24. Baltimore Orioles (15-24, No. 23)
25. Washington Nationals (17-24, No. 22)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (14-27, No. 26)
27. Los Angeles Angels (16-23, No. 27)
28. Miami Marlins (15-24, No. 28)
29. Chicago White Sox (12-29, No. 29)
30. Colorado Rockies (7-33, No. 30)