The Phillies, Blue Jays, Angels and Rangers must decide what to do with their interim managers. The Marlins need to find a replacement for Don Mattingly. The White Sox and Royals almost certainly will make changes in the dugout; and then there are the Astros, a 102-win team with a manager, Dusty Baker, and general manager, James Click, unsigned beyond this season.
‘Tis the season for upheaval in baseball, and those are only the clubs known to be in flux. Hardly anyone anticipated the Cardinals would dismiss Mike Shildt at the end of last season, or that Bob Melvin would leave the A’s for the Padres. Philosophical differences (the reason the Cardinals gave for firing Shildt), contractual disputes and even postseason failures all could prompt additional changes.
As the managerial merry-go-round begins to spin, a number of former managers want another shot. Shildt is one. Joe Maddon and Joe Girardi, both fired this season, are two others. Bruce Bochy told me, “I’m not ruling anything out.” A’s bench coach Brad Ausmus said he still has interest in managing. Some in the game believe Mike Scioscia would pursue the right opening.