2025 Management Market Updates

In 2025, the management market saw quite a bit of action. With nine managerial vacancies, nearly a third of the league was on the lookout for new leadership. Now, eight of those positions have been filled, leaving only the Colorado Rockies still in search of a manager.

This cycle has been marked by a notable lack of experience among new hires. Of the eight people brought on board, five have never managed at the MLB level, and six of them are under 50. It seems there’s a concerted effort to pursue high-risk, high-reward strategies this time around. Here’s a breakdown of the eight new managers and how they might fare.

Craig Albanaz, Orioles: A

Craig Albanaz emerged as a sought-after candidate this offseason. Although he doesn’t have any managerial experience, several teams were eager to bring him on. He garnered much acclaim while serving as an assistant in Cleveland alongside Stephen Vogt. Eventually, he landed the job with the Baltimore Orioles.

After a disappointing 75-win season, the Orioles definitely needed an uplift. They had previously made the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, but issues with pitching and the development of young hitters caused a significant regression. Albanaz appears to be a promising choice to maximize that talent.

At 43, Albanaz is a rookie with a personality that can command respect in the locker room. However, the team’s success in 2026 may hinge on GM Mike Elias’s ability to secure a top-notch starter to support the young batting lineup. With the right resources in place, Albanaz could do quite well.

Skip Shoemaker, Rangers: A-

Unlike many of the recently hired managers, Skip Shoemaker comes with some experience. He managed the Marlins in 2023 and 2024, leading them to the playoffs and winning Manager of the Year in his first season. Unfortunately, his second season took a turn for the worse, culminating in a 100-loss record and his departure.

After a stint as an advisor in Texas, Shoemaker became a favored candidate. With Bruce Bochy in his 70s, the Rangers needed a succession plan. Bochy stepped aside after a second lackluster season following the 2023 World Series.

Shoemaker was the first manager hired this cycle, and it seems like a strategic move by the Rangers. Still, the question remains whether he can steer the team toward success. The roster is aging and might need a revamp. If so, Shoemaker seems equipped to lead them through that transition.

After two middle-of-the-road seasons under Bob Melvin, Buster Posey, the Giants’ President of Baseball Operations, decided it was time for a change. He fired Melvin and kicked off a significant hiring spree as the Giants have struggled since their standout 2021 season, hovering around .500 for the last four years.

Pursuing youth and novelty, Posey hired Tennessee coach Tony Vitello—a move that caught many off guard. Vitello, pioneering as a college coach stepping straight into MLB management without previous professional experience, is the first of his kind.

Vitello did achieve notable success at Knoxville, rebuilding the Vols and clinching a national title. His magnetic personality could energize the locker room. Despite some reservations akin to his lack of experience, it’s a bold gamble for a Giants team looking to break free from mediocrity.

Blake Butera, Nationals: B

Following the dismissal of manager Davey Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo, the Washington Nationals have gone for a younger vision. They’ve hired 35-year-old Paul Toboni to lead baseball operations, along with 33-year-old Blake Butera as their new manager. Butera is the youngest manager in over half a century, which introduces its own set of challenges.

His journey to this position is a bit non-traditional. Having spent four years as a minor league manager and two as the Rays’ senior director of player development, his background might be quite beneficial as the Nationals have a lot of ground to cover in that area.

Yet, hiring such a young manager carries inherent risks. Butera may seem overqualified, but he is well thought of in the industry. The Nationals, struggling since their 2019 World Series win, are in a position to take some calculated risks where there’s not much to lose.

After the abrupt exit of Mike Shildt, the Padres found themselves in need of a sixth permanent manager since A.J. Preller took the helm. Shildt will be a tough act to follow, having led the team to the playoffs in both of his seasons. In a twist, former Padres reliever Craig Stammen transitioned from interviewing candidates to stepping into the role himself.

Despite some concerns surrounding this move, it makes some sense. Stammen played six seasons in San Diego and has been an advisor to Preller since retiring. He knows the organization well, along with the players.

However, this doesn’t come without its risks. The Padres are in a competitive environment at the moment, and having a first-time manager learn on the go could pose challenges, especially with a roster filled with veterans. Nevertheless, Preller believes Stammen can manage the dynamics of the clubhouse.

The Atlanta Braves don’t often hire new managers. Since 1990, the team has cycled through only three managers, which, of course, includes the legendary Bobby Cox. Freddie Gonzalez and Brian Snitker had long runs, too, lasting six and ten seasons, respectively.

Given this history, Walt Weiss’s appointment feels rather unremarkable. He has served as the Braves’ bench coach since 2016, with a prior stint managing the Rockies that didn’t go particularly well. After a disappointing 2025 season, many expected a shake-up, but Weiss’s hiring feels quite safe. Interestingly, Snitker’s unremarkable hiring turned out to be quite successful.

Weiss may benefit from some savvy staff additions. Hiring pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and first base coach Antoan Richardson has garnered positive attention. Richardson, for instance, helped Juan Soto steal 38 bases last season. One can only imagine what he could do with Ronald Acuña.

In contrast, the Minnesota Twins opted for an older, more experienced manager in Derek Shelton. Having been let go by the Pirates midway through his sixth season, Shelton didn’t manage a winning season in Pittsburgh, although it’s not entirely fair to pin all blame on him.

The Twins, however, seem to be in a slow-moving phase. Ownership challenges and a rebuilding process linger over the team. Shelton has experience with young teams, but many don’t view this as an appealing pick. His tenure in Pittsburgh hardly inspires confidence for a fresh start. It might seem like a downgrade from Rocco Baldelli, who was recently waived.

It’s a bit disheartening to view Shelton being treated so harshly again. He could be a rookie manager set up for failure. While his background with rebuilding teams could be a strength, I find it difficult to feel optimistic about this hire.

At first glance, Kurt Suzuki’s hiring seemed intriguing. A former Angel, he was reportedly ready to take on coaching duties. Yet, the details reveal a different story. The contract signed leads to immediate pressure.

First-time managers really need the space to grow alongside their team. Unfortunately, Suzuki’s one-year deal doesn’t afford him that opportunity. The setup could hinder growth and learning, which, frankly, isn’t a smart move for an organization prone to missteps.

This seems emblematic of a trend with the Angels. Arte Moreno appears genuinely keen on winning but often gets in his own way. This peculiar contract situation is just one example of that dilemma. A one-year contract is likely to stifle Suzuki’s development as a manager, which feels more like a burden for him than an accomplishment.