Pirates’ Derek Shelton Has 4th-Best Odds to be 1st MLB Manager Fired in 2022

The betting odds were released for the first manager in Major League baseball to be fired in 2022 and Bucs skipper Derek Shelton is tied for the fourth-highest odds on the list at 10-1. Aaron Boone (7-1), Joe Maddon (15-2) and Joe Girardi (9-1) are the top three on the list.

Shelton is tied with two other N.L. Central managers in David Bell (Reds) and David Ross (Cubs). Chris Woodward (Rangers) and Torey Lovullo (D-backs) also were given 10-1 odds by BetOnline.ag.

The Pirates third-year manager has totaled an 81-144 (.360) record since taking the reigns. The record isn’t a great measure of how he is as a manager when you consider that the Pirates have been rebuilding throughout his tenure and have largely lacked high-end talent in both the lineup and pitching staff.

There have been question raised about different aspects of Shelton’s managerial style. Through three games in 2022, his lineup construction has been under some level of scrutiny, specifically regarding Daniel Vogelbach batting leadoff and Kevin Newman and Josh VanMeter getting plugged into the fifth spot in the batting order the first two games.

There have also been some complaints over his bullpen management in the past, but again, he is kind of handcuffed in that regard when you review the options. Even so, Shelton is no different than any of the other 29 managers in that he is under scrutiny and his decisions always get questioned.