Hot Seat Watch: Which MLB Managers Are in Danger After August Slumps?

By Oliver Wiener August 06, 2025 09:33

As the 2025 Major League Baseball season climbs toward its final stretch, several managers find themselves under intense scrutiny following disappointing August performances. Despite the long grind of the season giving teams a chance to regroup, August has exposed cracks in many clubhouse dynamics, strategies, and overall team direction. With playoff hopes either slipping or hanging by a thread, the pressure mounts on managers to turn things around or face potential dismissal.

One of the earliest managerial casualties this year was Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who was fired as early as May after the team started with an abysmal 12-26 record. Shelton’s removal reflected a broader impatience with persistently poor results, a situation echoed elsewhere as other managers face an uncertain future amid slumps.

Among the managers currently on the hottest seats, a handful stand out based on their teams' recent struggles and pre-season expectations. The Washington Nationals were among the first marquee teams to pull the trigger this year, firing Dave Martinez after a series of losses left them languishing near the bottom of the National League East. Martinez, who led the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019, was ousted alongside GM Mike Rizzo as the franchise sought to reset following multiple losing seasons.

The New York Yankees’ Aaron Boone is another manager under growing pressure. The 2025 Yankees lost their division lead and have posted a 14-19 record since June 1, raising concerns about Boone’s ability to steer the Bronx Bombers back on track. While Boone is probably safe until at least the offseason, the team’s struggles exacerbated by injuries to a key rotation have made him a name to watch if the slide continues.

Other names frequently mentioned in hot seat discussions include Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox and John Schneider of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox have shown flashes of competitiveness but remain vulnerable to streaky slumps that threaten playoff prospects. Schneider’s Blue Jays, despite investing heavily in star talent, have underperformed with a disappointing 16-20 record and sit behind division rivals, putting the spotlight squarely on his leadership.

Further adding to the list, managers like Ron Washington of the Los Angeles Angels and Brandon Hyde of the Baltimore Orioles struggle with last-place teams mired in losing streaks and underwhelming performances. Both have faced growing calls for change as franchises push to end rebuild cycles or salvage faltering seasons.

Sports betting oddsmakers have also highlighted contenders for the next managerial changes, placing Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies and Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves high on the list, though Snitker’s Braves continue to contend for the division. These odds reflect the fine line between patience and urgency teams balance during critical phases of the season.

Quotes from team executives and stakeholders emphasize the high stakes involved. Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner justified managerial moves by pointing to a need for accountability after years of disappointing finishes, saying, “It was time for a change” after the lengthy post-championship drought. Meanwhile, front offices monitor each game with a sense of urgency to avoid season-ending collapses.

In sum, the 2025 MLB season’s August downturns have put multiple managers on a hot seat, ranging from established veterans like Dave Martinez and Aaron Boone to more recent hires like John Schneider. Success in the coming weeks particularly in navigating internal challenges and capitalizing on remaining games will determine if these managers keep their posts or add their names to the growing list of 2025 managerial casualties.