MLB Hot Seat Rankings 2026: 5 Managers Who Could Be Fired Next After Alex Cora

The Boston Red Sox made the first managerial change of the 2026 Major League Baseball season over the weekend, firing skipper Alex Cora and his top assistants. With one change already made and several clubs struggling, it’s worh trying to determine who could be next As the April portion of the MLB schedule nears its conclusion, let’s dive into our first MLB hot seat rankings. 1.

Joe Espada, Houston Astros Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Who will be the next manager fired? Our bet is on Houston Astros skipper Joe Espada. Astros general manager Dana Brown is in a contract year, and while he’s publicly backed Espada for now , pressure is mounting in Houston.

Team owner Jim Crane wants results after investing more than $230 million into the Astros roster this season, going well above the luxury tax. A trade isn’t coming, and the Astros lineup—fourth-most runs scored (151) with third-best OBP (. 345) and SLG (.

438)—has already done all it can just to try and keep the team going. If the Astros drop some of their upcoming sets against the Red Sox, Dodgers and Reds, perhaps Espada isn’t the team’s skipper when they return home for the May 11 series against the Seattle Mariners. 2.