Eight MLB teams are still looking for a manager for the 2026 season as we reach late October. So far, all of the attention-grabbing activity has been heavily concentrated among teams on the west coast.
San Francisco’s pursuit of a new manager was already notable, with president of baseball operations Buster Posey looking to make his first hiring since stepping into his role. Early on, Posey appeared to be focused on interviewing former catchers for the manager opening — with players like Kurt Suzuki, Craig Albernaz, Curt Casali, Vance Wilson, and Nick Hundley among those linked to the team. Posey also spoke with former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde.
Hundley reportedly withdrew his name from consideration over the weekend, likely over family concerns (he has two young daughters at home in San Diego he doesn’t want to be away from due to the rigors of traveling with a team). The Angels were believed to have interest in interviewing him, as well, but that no longer seems likely. Hundley is expected to remain in his role as a special assistant to Rangers president of baseall operations Chris Young.
News also broke over the weekend that Posey was close to an agreement with University of Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello. ESPN’s Jeff Passan says a decision should come this week.
Hiring Vitello would be unprecedented, as collegiate coaches rarely move directly to the major leagues. Wes Johnson might be the most notable (at least the most recent) example. Johnson was hired away from his role as the pitching coach for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks to fill the same position with the Minnesota Twins after the 2018 season. Midway through the 2022 season, Johnson abruptly resigned to become the pitching coach at LSU, before being hired as the head coach for the University of Georgia Bulldogs a year later.
The 47-year-old Vitello has no prior playing or coaching experience at the pro level. He worked as an assistant with his alma mater Missouri, TCU, and Arkansas from 2003-2017 before being hired at Tennessee. The Vols are 341-131 since Vitello took over, reaching a trio of College World Series and winning the national championship in 2024.
Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno was thought to be prepared to give Albert Pujols the manager job just a week ago. Reports even suggested that an offer had been made and the decision was ultimately in the former Cardinals and Angels slugger’s hands. That no longer appears to be the case, according to several reports on Monday. Talks between the two sidse broke off over differences regarding “coaches, resources, and compensation.”
Reportedly, one of the apparent factors that played into things is Pujols’s existing personal services contract with the team. The 10-year, $10 million agreement was agreed to as part of his original 10-year, $240 million free agent contract in 2012. The personal services part of things would begin once his playing career concluded. Pujols still has seven years and $7 million remaining on that agreement, though it’s unclear how Moreno was using it to influence negotiations.
Pujols has already been linked to both the Padres and Orioles openings since the news broke that he won’t be going to Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, the Angels appear to be shifting their search, with several reports suggesting that former outfielder Torii Hunter and catcher Kurt Suzuki, both of whom work as special assistants to general manager Perry Minasian, were headlining the mix. Late Monday night, however, reports emerged that Hunter was no longer in the running. Former Astros manager Bo Porter, who interviewed for the Angels’ job two years ago and spent last season as the third base coach on Ron Washington’s staff, has expressed an interest in the job. Former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, and Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty are all also believed to be in consideration.
San Diego’s managerial opening came about somewhat unexpectedly, with Mike Shildt retiring and concerns about the lines of communication between the front office and dugout staff coming to light. Speculation even briefly swirled whether general manager A.J. Preller’s job might be in jeopardy.
In addition to speaking with Albert Pujols, reports suggest the Padres are talking with Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, who interviewed for the position two years ago before Shildt was hired, Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, and Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla are all believed to be in the mix.
Baltimore named third base coach Tony Masolino the interim manager when Brandon Hyde was fired following a 15-28 start last season. The Orioles went 60-59 the rest of the way under his leadership. Masolino “hasn’t been ruled out” for the job, according to several reports, but that’s hardly a ringing endorsement of his chances to remain in the role moving forward.
Little has been reported publicly about Baltimore’s search. Albert Pujols is believed to be among those the team is hoping to speak with. Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, who spent six of his eight years in Baltimore as a player, has been suggested as the leading candidate for the job.
Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has been busy assessing what’s left in the organization the last few weeks, as the organization has seen close to 30 people from various departments either resign or be fired. Toboni has a big task ahead of him to overhaul the club’s front office, which includes deciding on a manager hire.
Interim manager Miguel Cairo hasn’t been ruled out, but so far there have been no reports of any candidates the team is speaking with.
Atlanta’s search has been nearly silent so far, with little reported publicly about who the team may be talking to or looking to speak with. Former Braves players David Ross, Mark DeRosa, Walt Weiss, and Eddie Perez have all been linked to the vacancy, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Still, there remains a chance that president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos could look for a candidate without ties to the organization.
Minnesota began interviewing candidates last week, according to several reports. At least five potential candidates have been linked to the team: Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, Red Sox bench coach Ramón Vázquez, Royals third base coach Vance Wilson, former Twins infielder Nick Punto, and former Pirates manager Derek Shelton.
Many have speculated that they’ll talk to former Twins outfielder Torii Hunter, as well.
Rowson and Shelton each also have ties to Minnesota. Rowson served as the team’s hitting coach from 2017-19, while Shelton was the bench coach from 2018-19.
No favorites have emerged yet to succeed Rocco Baldelli. It’s likely more potential candidates will appear.
Colorado’s search, and ultimately the fate of interim manager Warren Schaeffer, remain in limbo until the team hires a new general manager.
The Rockies are looking outside the organization for a new head to their front office. The team has reportedly spoken with three candidates — Blue Jays VP of baseball strategy (and former Astros GM) James Click, Royals senior VP and assistant general manager Scott Sharp, and Guardians executive VP and assistant general manager Matt Forman. Reports suggest that Colorado could “narrow the group of finalists” this week.
Elsewhere, around the sport …
Former Yankees and Mariners catcher Jesús Montero passed away on Sunday. Montero had been hospitalized in Venezuela earlier this month from injuries sustained when he was hit by a reported drunk driver while riding his motorcycle. Montero was 35.
Left-hander Foster Griffin is looking to return to MLB after spending the last three seasons in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants. Griffin was selected 28th overall in the 2014 Draft by the Royals and finally made his debut in 2020, only to tear his UCL and need Tommy John surgery. He briefly worked his way back to make six more appearances in 2022 but was otherwise stuck in Triple-A before heading to Japan for the 2023 season. Griffin posted a 2.57 ERA over 315.2 IP out of the bullpen for Yomiuri, striking out 318 and walking 70.
More words
With Joe McEwing’s departure from the Cardinals, the club has an open door to bring franchise-legend Yadier Molina back into the fold.
The Yomiuri Giants don’t appear likely to post Kazuma Okamoto for MLB teams.
The Arizona Fall League is already reaching the midpoint of its season, with several prospects standing out.