MLB Hot Seat 2012: Joe Girardi and 7 Skippers on Hot Seat in 2012

In baseball, no job is safe. We all know that managers are scapegoats when things are not going well. They do it just to appease the fans and hope for a turnaround. In 2012, there is sure to be a handful of managers on the hot seat and I will show you which seven are going to feel the heat this season. To the slides we go.

Joe Girardi

It seems like every person who managed the Yankees are always on the hot seat. The Yankees are expected to win the World Series every year (everything less than a championship is considered to be a failure).

Girardi is having a successful run as manager, however, he has his fair share of questionable decision making ( Putting CC Sabathia in relief for two innings in a elimination game against the Tigers in the ALDS for instance). He did bring a championship to New York in 2009. If the Yankees don't win the World Series this year, expect his seat to be a little hotter.

Bobby Valentine

When I first heard about Bobby Valentine being the new manager of the Boston Red Sox, I thought it was a joke. When I realized it wasn't, I immediately knew he was on the hot seat already. He is taking over a team who just endured the most epic collapse in MLB history and apparently drank beer and ate fried chicken in the clubhouse.

Valentine has been known as a "clown" in the clubhouse but has been a good manager throughout his career. Bobby V better turn it around quickly or Red Sox fans are calling for his job.

Bud Black

He's only had two winning seasons with the Padres and didn't make the postseason in either one of them. He has been on thin ice with the Padres and it appears that if he doesn't turn things around this season, he is going to get fired.

Buck Showalter

The only reason he's on this list is because the Orioles don't have enough pitching to contend with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. It's a shame though because he's a really good manager and has proven it during the course of his career. I hope he can turn that team around.

Ron Gardenhire

Is it fair to put him on this list? Possibly so. He has taken his Twins to the playoffs six times but only won six playoff games. The Twins have not won a playoff game since 2004 and was swept in the ALDS in 2006, 2009 and 2010. This season was a nightmare as he had to deal with crippling injuries to Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. He is on the hot seat because of his playoff resume.

Jim Tracy

This team is underperforming. Plain and simple. This Rockies have good young talent in Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, but last season they underachieved. After their playoff run in 2009, it seems that they are not as good as advertised. It won't be a matter of time before the blame is placed on Tracy.

Fredi Gonzalez

Replacing a legend is not always easy. Gonzalez's first year as the Braves manager was a great one except for the fact that his team blew an 8 1/2 game lead in the wild-card race. The Braves went 9-18 in September and finished second in the wild card standings behind the eventual champions the St. Louis Cardinals. Right after their season ended, the Braves fired hitting coach Larry Parish. It is not safe to assume that Gonzalez's job is safe.