Though it might look exciting, the managerial job in MLB isn’t an easy one. There’s constant pressure to exceed expectations. And when you’re the skipper of a huge team? Perhaps that’s why fans have always looked at Dave Roberts and Aaron Boone with such awe. These two have managed a lengthy tenure in the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. But then Alex Cora might bring an early end to their story.

Boston Red Sox’s Cora surprised the world when he revealed that 2024 could be his last with the team. Despite there being constant ups and downs in his tenure, most experts agree on one thing – Alex Cora is a special manager. The Red Sox’s struggles aren’t something that one can blame on him. Especially because the owners haven’t spent even a fraction of what they can do in recent years. Perhaps that’s why analysts in Foul Territory Show had a lengthy debate on where Cora might go next.

Famous radio host Casey Stern was firm in his opinion that if the Dodgers or the Yankees fail to win the big one, Roberts and Boone might be in trouble. “I love Booney but if the Yankees don’t do what they’re supposed to do, Alex Cora is going to have options there, LA (Dodgers), whoever he wants,” Sterns said. He understood that Boone and Roberts were integral to their teams’ culture but then so was David Ross.

The Chicago Cubs fired Ross because Craig Counsell was in the market. That’s what big teams do when they see a quality manager available. “Alex Cora has put himself on that list,” Sterns said.  He also noted that in the case of Dave Roberts, the pressure of integrating players like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani might prove to be too much for him.

But are Aaron Boone and Dave Roberts really at risk of losing their place? Though it would be too early to say one could see things to be a little difficult if they fail in the postseason again.

New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers’ big question marks for skippers

Though Dave Roberts is the winningest active manager in baseball, his postseason doesn’t really reflect those numbers. Apart from the World Series win in COVID-shortened 2020, he hasn’t played a Fall Classic since 2018. On top of that the Dodgers have been eliminated in the NLDS 3 out of the last 5 times. So despite having had consecutive 100-win seasons, Roberts’ teams lack the fire in the playoffs.

On the other hand, Aaron Boone’s postseason record too isn’t extremely impressive. Though he has made it to 2 ALCS’ but the New York Yankees haven’t been able to make the final push under him. The nadir came in 2023 when the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. As a result, when the season began there were chatters that Boone’s job was on the line. However, with the Yankees exploding into the scene and leading the league, at least for now, Boone seems safe.

But then if the managers fail to improve their postseason record, one could guess some questions will be asked. Especially because the Dodgers and the Yankees are on top of payrolls and not winning when spending so much might not be acceptable in the long run.