Are you one of those who want to complain that teams always hire the same managers? The last cycle of managers is here to show you that this year was different.
For example?
The San Francisco Giants have hired Tony Vitello, who has never set foot in a professional locker room as a manager or player. The Nationals have set their sights on Blake Butera, who is 33 years old. Kurt Suzuki got the job in Anaheim because he was willing to sign for just one year.
The Padres hired Craig Stammen, a former reliever who wasn't expected to be a manager in the public eye. He had worked in the Padres office for three years.
Craig Albernaz (Orioles) also has no experience as a manager in the MLB, but the hiring is less left field.
Five of the eight hires are guys who have never managed in the Majors. Walt Weiss (Braves), Derek Shelton (Twins) and Skip Schumaker (the best hire of the winter in my opinion) with the Rangers already had experience.
The Rockies don't have a manager at the moment… but who cares: it's not a real club. The Rockies have just named Paul DePodesta as head of baseball operations.
He's the guy from Moneyball who was in the NFL for years.
It's up to you to tell me if it's good or bad, but we see changes taking place in the hiring of managers. Several big names (the majority of whom have experience) were not selected.
For example?
Albert Pujols, David Ross, Brandon Hyde, David Bell, Bob Melvin and Bruce Bochy: these are just a few names who have not been able to find a position for the 2026 season.
We'll see what happens. But clearly, we are thinking outside the box.
- The Silver Sticks in the National.
- Justin Dean in San Francisco.
