Ranking this offseason's MLB managerial vacancies

Four teams are already searching for new managers heading into the offseason. Here, we take a look at which of the open gigs is the most appealing for prospective candidates.

Note: We have omitted the Milwaukee Brewers from this list despite Craig Counsell's uncertain future, as he's still under contract to the team until Oct. 31.

4. Los Angeles Angels

Pros

• Manage Mike Trout
• Live in Southern California

Cons

• Likely rebuild
• Must deal with Arte Moreno

It's hard to believe that only a few years ago, the Angels' dugout was as stable as you'd find. But soon, owner Arte Moreno will hire his fourth manager in six seasons since Mike Scioscia retired. The new face will come at a time of probable transition for the franchise. So the question here might be less of who will the Angels hire and more of who will want this job.

That's not to say it's all bad. Managing Mike Trout, perhaps the greatest position player of his generation, is a perk that means something even if he's starting down the back nine. Shohei Ohtani hasn't officially left yet, meaning - to paraphrase Lloyd Christmas - there's still a chance he's back. The barren farm system has also churned out a couple gems in Nolan Schanuel, the 2023 first-round pick who reached base in each of his first 29 big-league games barely five weeks after being drafted, and catcher of the future Logan O'Hoppe.

Unfortunately, the optimism stops there. The Angels haven't had a winning season since 2015, haven't made the playoffs since 2014 (tied for the longest active drought), and haven't won a playoff game since 2009. The roster beyond Trout and the few kids who've made an impact is thin, and their best prospects are already in the majors. A new manager will walk into a team in transition, with a wild card of an owner constantly looming over his shoulder. So we'll ask again: Who would want this job?

3. Cleveland Guardians

Pros

• Team built around star José Ramírez
• Chance to compete in weak division

Cons

• Replacing a legend
• Small-market team with little history of spending

The biggest draw here may be the chance to manage in baseball's weakest division. Even after this year's downturn, Cleveland still seems to be the only team capable of challenging the Twins for AL Central supremacy. The division shifted so quickly one year after the Guardians waltzed to a title with 92 wins, and it's remarkably easy to see that happening again in Cleveland's favor - especially considering the team has some good core pieces.

It all starts, of course, with José Ramírez, a homegrown franchise pillar who might be the most underrated star in baseball. Ramírez, young second baseman Andrés Giménez, and two-time major-league saves leader Emmanuel Clase are locked up long term. Other productive young players who are a part of this core include Steven Kwan and Josh Naylor on the offensive side and a couple of good arms in Triston McKenzie and Tanner Bibee.

But for all of that optimism, there's still reason for pause. McKenzie only made four starts in 2022 because of an elbow injury, while fellow homegrown starter Cal Quantrill took a major step back in 2023. The Guardians' lineup desperately needs power, and at least one more outfielder, if not two, who can provide even replacement-level offense. Shane Bieber is also entering his final year before free agency, and the small-market Guardians rarely spend. It's entirely possible that he could be traded in the winter, which would dramatically change the outlook of the job.

If the Guardians replace outgoing legend Terry Francona with another veteran, it will likely be a signal that they intend to compete, at least within their financial means. A rookie skipper might send a very different message.

2. San Francisco Giants

Pros

• Team has shown willingness to spend
• Work in one of the world's best ballparks

Cons

• Immense pressure to right ship immediately
• Play in extremely competitive division

The Giants flopped hard this year, and it cost Gabe Kapler his job. It feels like the organization is in a bit of flux as the search for Kapler's replacement commences. But there are still plenty of reasons to want this gig.

The new skipper will inherit a rising ace and reliable innings-eater in Logan Webb and one of the most underrated closers in baseball, Camilo Doval. Some young blood will be injected next year when top prospects Marco Luciano and Kyle Harrison, who both debuted this summer, take more prominent roles in 2024. The front office and ownership are quite committed to spending, narrowly missing out on a couple of big fish last winter. It's likely that San Francisco will at least be a contender for Ohtani this year, which speaks to its aspirations.

However, it's hard to handicap the Giants' chances of landing one of the marquee free agents, especially after repeatedly coming up short last offseason. Do players want to come to San Francisco, or is this a big-market team that's just going to be repeatedly used for leverage? Will players be wary of the Giants after the Carlos Correa physical snafu? Can president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi build a team capable of perennially challenging the Dodgers (and even the rising D-Backs) in the NL West instead of merely surprising every once in a while? These are all questions prospective managers have to ask themselves.

Ultimately, the positives should outweigh the negatives. The Giants should be a desirable job even with all the questions. They just need to make sure to get this hire right.

1. New York Mets

Pros

• Ownership will spare no expense
• Could be immediate contender

Cons

• Immense pressure to win now
• Must handle New York spotlight

Yes, it's true. Although they're coming off a disappointing 75-win season, the Mets still have the most desirable managerial vacancy out there. And it's actually easy to see why.

For all of the Mets' struggles in 2023, they're still likely to head into next season as New York's best hope for a 2024 World Series parade. The core of Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor (who is criminally underappreciated), and young catcher Francisco Alvarez are all back for at least one more year, Kodai Senga provides consistency atop the rotation, and - perhaps most importantly - Edwin Diaz will be back.

The current roster does head into the offseason with some flaws, but ones that can be fixed. New president of baseball operations David Stearns has a track record of building a consistent winner in Milwaukee, and owner Steve Cohen has shown he'll spare no expense to bring a winner to Flushing, making the team a constant threat in free agency. Former general manager Billy Eppler also did a good job of restocking the farm system with midseason trades that brought in several prospects who could make an impact in the majors soon.

While this might be a sought-after job, it won't be an easy one. Anyone taking it must be prepared for the pressure and spotlight that comes with managing in New York. There's also going to be an incredible amount of pressure from fans, media, and the front office to win immediately, regardless of how the offseason goes. That's a lot for any manager to handle, no matter how much experience they may have.

Longtime Brewers manager Craig Counsell, whose contract expires Oct. 31, has been heavily linked to the Mets ever since Stearns - his boss in Milwaukee - was hired.