The first managerial changes of the 2025-26 MLB offseason came on the first day after the season, when the San Francisco Giants dismissed Bob Melvin, the Minnesota Twins fired Rocco Baldelli, and the Texas Rangers announced that Bruce Bochy will not return.
Then came the news that manager Ron Washington and interim manager Ray Montgomery both will not return to the Los Angeles Angels, and Brian Snitker informed the Atlanta Braves he won’t return as manager.
In perhaps the most surprising managing development of the offseason, Mike Shildt is retiring as San Diego Padres manager after guiding San Diego to consecutive postseason appearances.
Which major league teams will change managers next? And who could be next in line?
ESPN will track all of the managerial hirings and firings — and provide potential top replacements for every opening as they happen.
Jump to:Openings | Hirings
Managerial openings
San Diego Padres
2025 manager: Mike Shildt (Oct. 13)
Shildt is retiring after two years as the manager in San Diego, sources confirmed to ESPN. The Padres made the playoffs in both seasons, going 90-72 in 2025 before falling to the Cubs in the wild-card round.
Shildt had two years remaining on the contract extension he signed in November 2024 coming off a 93-win season that ended with a division series loss to the Dodgers.
“We would like to congratulate Mike on a successful career and thank him for his significant contributions to the Padres and the San Diego community over the last four years, including consecutive 90-win seasons and two postseason appearances as manager,” Padres general manager A.J. Preller said in a statement. “His dedication and passion for the game of baseball will leave an impact on our organization, and we wish him the best in his next chapter. The search for a new manager of the Padres will begin immediately with the goal of winning a World Series championship in 2026.”
Top potential candidates:
A.J. Ellis: Currently works as a special assistant to Preller; played 11 MLB seasons for Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins and Padres.
Ryan Flaherty: Currently serves as Chicago Cubs bench coach; played eight seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians.
2025 manager: Bob Melvin (Sept. 29)
Melvin is out after two seasons in San Francisco as the Giants opted to fire him even after picking up his option for the 2026 season in July.
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It was an up-and-down season for the Giants, who ultimately finished third in the National League West and went a combined 161-163 in Melvin’s two seasons. San Francisco has not finished with a winning record or in higher than third place in the division since its 107-win 2021 season.
“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team,” said Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey. “The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”
Top potential candidates
Craig Albernaz: Currently serves as associate manager for Cleveland Guardians; previously worked with Giants as bullpen and catching coach
Dusty Baker: Last served as Houston Astros manager in 2023; managed the Giants from 1993 to 2002.
Bruce Bochy: Manager of the Texas Rangers from 2023-25 (contract expired at end of 2025 season); won three World Series with Giants while Posey was San Francisco’s catcher.
Bobby Crosby: Current A’s first-base coach; played eight MLB seasons with A’s, Pirates and D-backs
Ryan Flaherty: Currently serves as Chicago Cubs bench coach; played eight seasons for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians.
Mark Hallberg: Current Giants first base coach; played college baseball with Posey at Florida State.
Nick Hundley: Works as special assistant to the general manager for the Texas Rangers; Former MLB catcher who was teammates with Posey on 2017-18 Giants.
Tony Vitello: Currently serves as head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee; led Vols to 2024 Men’s College World Series title.
Minnesota Twins
2025 manager: Rocco Baldelli (Sept. 29)
Like Melvin, Baldelli was fired after his team picked up his option for the 2026 season.
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The Twins went 527-505 and won the AL Central three times during his seven seasons in Minnesota, but the Twins went just 70-92 this season.
“This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set,” president Derek Falvey said in a team release.
Top potential candidates
Craig Albernaz: Currently serves as associate manager for Guardians
Kai Correa: Currently works as field coordinator/director of defense, baserunning and game strategy for the Guardians
Torii Hunter: Currently serves as special assistant to Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian; played with Twins from 1997-2007
James Rowson: Current hitting coach for the New York Yankees; previously worked as Twins hitting coach
Derek Shelton: Managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2020 to May 2025; previously served as Twins bench coach
Drew Butera: Catching coach for the Chicago White Sox in 2025; played for the Twins from 2010 to 2013
Jayce Tingler: Current Twins bench coach; served as Padres manager from 2020-21
Los Angeles Angels
2025 manager: Ron Washington and Ray Montgomery (interim) (Sept. 30)
Ron Washington, who missed the majority of the 2025 season after undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery, will not be returning as manager of the Los Angeles Angels in 2026, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
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Interim manager Ray Montgomery also will not get the full-time manager role in 2026, a source confirmed to ESPN, as the Angels will search for their sixth manager in nine years.
The Angels finished the year with a 72-90 record, accounting for their 10th consecutive losing season.
Top potential candidates
Darin Erstad: Former Nebraska baseball head coach; played for the Angels from 2006-16
Torii Hunter: Currently serves as special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian; played with Angels from 2008-2012
Albert Pujols: Manages Leones del Escogido in Dominican Winter League; played for Angels from 2012-21
Tim Salmon: Played for the Angels for 14 seasons; won 2002 World Series and 1993 AL Rookie of the Year
Mike Scioscia: Managed the Angels from 2000-18; managed USA Baseball in 2021 Olympics
Atlanta Braves
2025 manager: Brian Snitker (Oct. 1)
Brian Snitker will not return as manager of the Atlanta Braves, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He informed the team of his decision Tuesday, but he will remain with the organization in a senior advisory capacity.
Snitker, whose contract expired after his ninth season as manager, has been with the Braves organization in some capacity as a player, coach and manager since 1977 and led Atlanta to the 2021 World Series championship.
The Braves went 76-86 in 2025, finishing fourth in the National League East.
Top potential candidates:
Mark DeRosa: Managed Team USA during the 2023 World Baseball Classic; played for the Braves from 1998-2004
John Gibbons: Managed Blue Jays from 2004-2008 and 2013-2018
David Ross: Managed Chicago Cubs from 2020-2023; played for the Braves from 2009-2012
Walt Weiss: Currently serves as Braves bench coach after managing Colorado Rockies from 2013-2016; played for Braves from 1998-2000
Managerial hirings
Texas Rangers
2025 manager: Bruce Bochy (Sept. 29)2026 manager: Skip Schumaker (Oct. 3)
Bochy, who led the Rangers to their first World Series title in 2022, will not return to Texas after he and the team mutually agreed to end his tenure. Bochy was offered a front office role to remain with Texas in an advisery capacity.
Bochy went 249-237 in Texas, including an 81-81 record this year — his first career .500 season. Bochy turned 70 this season and ranks as baseball’s winningest active manager; his 2,252 wins rank sixth all time.
“Bruce Bochy is one of the greatest managers in baseball history, and he will forever hold a place in the hearts of Ranger fans after bringing home the first World Series title in franchise history in 2023,” said Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations. “Boch brought class and respect to our club in his return to the dugout, and we will always take pride in being part of his Hall of Fame career. We are grateful for everything he has given to the organization over the past few seasons and hopeful he can continue to impact the Rangers for many years to come.”
2026 manager: Skip Schumaker
Rangers hired Schumaker on a four-year contract Friday night, promoting him from a role as senior advisor to Chris Young.
“While I attained a good understanding of the organization through my front office role this past season, the conversations with Chris Young, [general manager] Ross Fenstermaker, and others this week have only intensified my interest in this opportunity,” Schumaker said in a prepared statement. “I can’t wait to begin the work for 2026.”
Schumaker managed the Miami Marlins from 2022-24, winning 2023 NL Manager of the Year when Miami went 84-78 and made the fourth postseason appearance in club history.
