The hot stove season has officially started, and with it comes the flurry of managerial changes that have been dominating MLB headlines over the last month. Just when we thought the offseason might start out a bit slow after the World Series concluded, teams have been scrambling to fill their vacant dugout positions, and the past week has been particularly eventful. Several managerial positions have been officially filled, signaling that this could be one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory for leadership changes across the league.
The most recent move came when the Atlanta Braves stayed in-house, promoting their long-time bench coach Walt Weiss to the top job on November 3rd. Weiss has been Atlanta’s bench coach since 2018 and was on Brian Snitker’s staff when the Braves won the World Series in 2021. This wasn’t exactly a shocking move, as Weiss had been the favorite for the position for quite some time. His second managerial opportunity in the big leagues represents a chance at redemption after his previous stint with the Colorado Rockies from 2013-2016. Before that, he even played for the Braves as a shortstop from 1998-2000, so this promotion brings everything full circle for a guy who clearly has deep ties to the organization.
But the Braves weren’t the only team hiring a manager. Just days earlier, on October 30th, the Washington Nationals hired 33-year-old Blake Butera, making history in the process because Butera became MLB’s youngest skipper since 1972, when Frank Quilici took over the Minnesota Twins. This is a fascinating hire for a Nationals team that’s been in a state of transition. Butera comes with strong credentials, having previously served as a senior player development director for the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s also managed four minor league seasons with an impressive 258-144 record and four first-place finishes. His final two seasons managing Low-A Charleston saw his teams go 170-82 while winning league championships, so he brings a track record of success at the developmental level.
The week before that we saw another intriguing hire, this was by the Minnesota Twins who brought back Derek Shelton to replace Rocco Baldelli. Shelton previously served as bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 during Baldelli’s first season. After spending the past six seasons managing the Pittsburgh Pirates, Shelton is now getting a second chance to lead in Minnesota. It’s a bit of a reunion situation, bringing back someone familiar with the organization who has substantial managerial experience despite the Pirates’ struggles during his tenure.
Earlier that week, the San Francisco Giants made perhaps the most unconventional hire of this managerial carousel by hiring Tony Vitello directly who has been managing at the college level. Vitello is the first collegiate coach to jump straight to an MLB manager position without any professional managing experience. The Giants’ president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, believed in Vitello’s vision and ability to build a winning culture, and while it’s certainly a gamble, Vitello’s eight years as the head coach at Tennessee showed he knows how to win, compiling a 341-131 record. He’s also sent dozens of players to the professional ranks, which shows his credibility in player development.
Just a week before that, the Los Angeles Angels hired Kurt Suzuki, a former player who had been serving as a special assistant to the general manager since 2023. Suzuki spent parts of 16 years in the major leagues and won a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The Angels had been considering other former stars like Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter, but ultimately decided to go with Suzuki, who brings a player’s perspective to the dugout combined with his recent front office experience.
The Baltimore Orioles also jumped in on the action earlier in late October, hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager. Albernaz was the associate manager for the Cleveland Guardians, one of the most successful teams in baseball last season. He’d been a finalist for Cleveland’s managerial job back in 2023 before they hired Stephen Vogt, so this represents another opportunity for Albernaz to get back into managing after several years in a support role.
Here’s the thing, folks: What’s particularly interesting about this wave of hirings is the diversity of backgrounds these new managers bring to the table. And it also speaks to how teams are approaching leadership differently this offseason, looking for fresh perspectives and new ways to build winning cultures.
With that… There are only two managerial positions remain unfilled: the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies. The Padres are expected to make their hire soon, with Albert Pujols among the final candidates being considered, while the Rockies are first focusing on finding new baseball operations leadership. With so many moves happening in such a short timeframe, this hot stove season is proving to be one for the record books.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!