Three MLB managers already on hot seat heading into 2025

Even though we are still in the heart of the Major League Baseball offseason, there are some managers who are already sitting on a hot seat while preparing for the 2025 season.

Whether it’s high expectations that have not been met or a change in leadership on the horizon, let’s take a look at why these three MLB managers (listed in alphabetical order) are feeling the heat more than their colleagues.

Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins

Let’s not forget that the Twins were in control of their own postseason destiny last year before going 12-27 from August 18 through the end of the campaign. That free fall sent the Twins tumbling from second in the American League Central to fourth and set the topic of discussion for the winter.

Baldelli is under contract through at least this season, and there have been plenty of comments supporting Baldelli despite the collapse. Also, Minnesota has the talent to once again compete for a postseason spot in 2025. However, a slow start this season could spell a quick trigger on Baldelli’s chances of seeing the Twins through to the end of the campaign.

Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals

This is the final season of the John Mozeliak era in St. Louis as the long-time president of baseball operations is stepping down at the end of the season. Chaim Bloom will take over heading into the 2026 campaign, the same year that Marmol’s contract is slated to expire.

While it’s unclear whether Bloom will want to continue with Marmol at the helm in his first year of leadership, there has been little that has been easy about Marmol’s time under the Gateway Arch since he took over the Cardinals before the 2022 season. His Cardinals have missed the postseason the last two seasons and the franchise is now in the middle of cost-cutting measures that could potentially include All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado being traded away.

Last season, the Cardinals failed to reach 3 million fans at Busch Stadium for the first time in 18 years. With apathy running rampant, changes will have to happen at some point to shake up the Cardinals and Marmol could be on the leading edge of those changes.

John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays

Much like the situation in St. Louis, despite the talent on the roster, the Blue Jays have underperformed during Schneider’s two-plus seasons at the helm. Last season’s 74-88 mark sent the Blue Jays to the bottom of the AL East standings in a season where many had Toronto picked for a potential spot in the postseason.

The questions about a potential extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and/or Bo Bichette (both due to be free agents after the 2025 season) will be a headline for the Blue Jays all year. Can the Blue Jays prove Toronto is a destination that will keep All-Stars as well as land big-name free agents? The latter hasn’t happened yet, and the former is still up in the air… and all of that has occurred or is occurring with Schneider at the helm. Will he end up being part of the change that Toronto seems to need to shake itself out of its current doldrums?