MLB Predictions: Managers For Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets In 2020 Amid Scandal

The sign-stealing scandal that tainted the 2017 World Series has forced three teams to make major changes ahead of the 2020 MLB season. The Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets all fired their manager over the course of three days.

Pitchers and catchers are set to report in less than a month, giving the organizations little time to make hires. Who will replace A.J. Hinch, Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora?

Here are predictions for all three managerial openings.

Houston Astros: Buck Showalter

The Astros need a clean slate after this scandal, which some believe might have continued through last season. Hiring from within and giving bench coach Joe Espada the job won’t work. An old-school manager like Showalter that would represent a change in Houston’s culture might make the most sense. Showalter helped turn around the New York Yankees in the early 1990s and the Baltimore Orioles at the start of last decade. He took the Arizona Diamondbacks to the playoffs in the franchise’s second season. Showalter interviewed with Houston Wednesday.

New York Mets: Luis Rojas

The Mets haven’t been accused of cheating, so promoting someone that’s already with the club might be New York’s preferred course of action. Rojas was under serious consideration for the job before Beltran was hired, receiving two interviews in October for the managerial vacancy. The quality control coach has been a manager at different levels within the organization for nearly 15 years. Rojas had already been working with Beltran this winter, making him an ideal choice to lead the team in 2020.

Boston Red Sox: Ron Roenicke

It’s difficult to predict which direction Boston will go, especially since MLB’s investigation into the 2018 World Series team has not been completed. Roenicke managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011-2015 and became Cora’s bench coach in 2018. The 63-year-old has coached at four different stops over the course of three decades. Jason Varitek and Sam Fuld are rumored to be candidates, but the Red Sox might be better off hiring someone with experience, given what’s happened this offseason and what could still be to come in 2020.