The MLB coaching carousel has already begun since the end of the regular season, with five teams searching for new managers for 2026. But that list could grow depending on what happens this October. Here are four managers on the hot seat if their teams flame out in the playoffs.
Aaron Boone
If the New York Yankees crash out in the playoffs, could it finally be the end of Aaron Boone’s tenure in the Bronx? Heading into Thursday’s do-or-die Wild Card Game 3 against the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees have a 23-24 postseason record under Boone and have yet to win the World Series. He made questionable decisions in Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Red Sox, not starting Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. despite both finishing top 15 in AL slugging percentage, and pulling Max Fried for reliever Luke Weaver, who failed to record an out and surrendered two earned runs. Boone has drawn the fans’ ire for years since he took over as manager in 2018. If the Yankees fail to advance, ownership will need to decide if Boone is the right person to continue leading the dugout.
Rob Thomson
Since taking over for Joe Girardi in the middle of the 2022 season, Rob Thomson has led the Philadelphia Phillies to the playoffs every year, including a World Series appearance. He possesses a respectable 20-14 postseason record, so how could he be on the hot seat? Well, the Phillies have gone backward every year in October, including getting upset in the 2023 NLCS by the Arizona Diamondbacks and railroaded by the New York Mets in the 2024 NLDS. The biggest problem has been the offense disappearing during critical situations, which has become a yearly issue. If the Phillies suffer a second consecutive quick playoff exit, questions will start to surround Thomson’s future.
Mike Shildt
The Padres have made the postseason in Mike Shildt’s first two years as San Diego manager, with back-to-back seasons of 90 wins or more. But after being up two games to one over the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s NLDS and scoring 21 runs in the first three games, the Padres were blanked in Games 4 and 5 in a crushing defeat. San Diego is in win-or-go-home mode in Thursday’s Game 3 of the NL Wild Card against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Another early exit could potentially cloud Shildt’s future with the Padres.
Alex Cora
The only manager on this list who has led a team to a World Series championship, Alex Cora has been the Red Sox manager for seven seasons — outside of being suspended for the 2020 season for his role in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal in 2017. Cora was on the hot seat earlier this year with the Red Sox struggling, but they turned it around and made the playoffs for the first time since 2021. If Boston fails to win Game 3 of the AL Wild Card against the Yankees and make a playoff run, Cora’s tenure as Red Sox manager could end this offseason.
