5 MLB Teams That Could Have a New Manager in 2012

After the Detroit Tigers extended manager Jim Leyland this past week, the potential managerial window closed a bit but still remains open on a handful of teams who might see a fresh face this time next season. 

While the carousel won't be spinning as much as it did last season, it might still involve some high-profile names making moves, which could be the highlight of this offseason's managerial additions. 

Here are the five teams that might find themselves looking in a new direction this offseason with the front-runner to be the replacement. 

Chicago Cubs

Current Manager: Mike Quade 

Status: After taking over for Lou Piniella around this time last season, Quade was brought back in good faith after the Cubs went 24-13 in their final 37 games. However, Quade has not replicated similar success as the Cubs currently are slated to finish in fifth place for the second consecutive season in the NL Central.

Recently, TV analyst Mark Grace told the "The Dan Patrick Show" (h/t Sporting News) that "first of all, the Cubs needed a PR jolt and certainly Ryne Sandberg is a god in Chicago...Chicago's entertainment is sports, they are so passionate and they love their own."

Even though Quade signed a two-year contract with an team option for a third, it's just a cookie-cutter managerial contract and it doesn't mean he will be around that long. Rumors have a change forthcoming in the front office, which immediately trickles down to the manager. 

Frontrunner: Ryne Sandberg 

Chances it Happens: Lukewarm

Chicago White Sox

Current Manager: Ozzie Guillen

Status: It's no secret the relationship between general manager Kenny Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen has been testy throughout the last few years, which is why Guillen's status for the future and beyond in Chicago is always a questionable one.

Recently, Guillen told Yahoo Sports (Miami Herald) that it would be an honor to manage the Marlins, as Florida was where he got his first World Series ring as a third base coach in 2003. He also gave the White Sox an ultimatum of sorts by saying things have to get better if he wants to stay, essentially asking for a contract extension.  

The Marlins are entering a state of the art retractable roof ballpark in 2012 and would like a managerial bow to go along with it. The team has made it known they want him when they tried to get him last season, only to be turned down by the White Sox's demands for player compensation (Logan Morrison).

Even though the White Sox have picked up the 2012 option on Guillen dating back to Spring Training, such motivation or lack thereof has not worked out, as the White Sox are underachieving in a weak AL Central.

The risk the White Sox run in bringing Guillen on board for that 2012 season is at repeating a similar result where teams like the Tigers, Indians, Twins, and even Royals are showing signs of moving forward. Jerry Reinsdorf may thank Guillen for his services and just go for an old pal to replace him.  

Frontrunner: Tony La Russa 

Chances it Happens: High 

Florida Marlins

Current Manager: Jack McKeon

Status: After Edwin Rodriguez resigned in late June, McKeon took over as the interim manager, hoping to reignite the ballclub like he did with the 2003 Marlins, who went on to win the World Series. 

However, the Marlins have yet to repeat the exact magic they were looking for and will certainly want to have a stable manager once they play the first game at the new ballpark vs. the Cardinals on April 4 of next year. If McKeon returns, it will only be for a single season, which I doubt the Marlins will want to do knowing it could effect their negotiating ploy with free agents this offseason. 

There is no doubt the Marlins have and will go for a big name for the job this offseason. We have seen them go twice after former manager and TV analyst Bobby Valentine, but for whatever reason negotiations fell apart and of course they tried last season to "talk" to Ozzie Guillen but were negated.

Obviously, the new stadium is all the "talking" the Marlins could hope for in luring in their favorite target, and odds are stacked in their favor they will land a front office favorite and ownership favorite in the White Sox skipper.

If they do, they would also land Guillen's guy, pitching coach Don Cooper, if La Russa comes blowing into Chicago with his own guy, Dave Duncan.  

Frontrunner: Ozzie Guillen

Chances it Happens: High   

Houston Astros

Current Manager: Brad Mills

Status: If you're Brad Mills you have a pair of things going against you, one being that your team is the worst team in the major leagues. Second, you are days away from having new ownership, which in turn translates to replacing the general manager (If the team is struggling) and therefore finding a new manager, which hinges on the first replacement. 

Current GM Ed Wade did the upcoming general manager a favor by bringing Mills on board for 2012 when he picked up his option before the season began. Oops, way to give Mills another potential season of repeat when the team has traded Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence and is now preparing for the 2015 season.

However because the Astros are pretty much a Triple-A team, they might as well bring back Mills rather than have a newbie endure a mess next season. Unless the Astros were to get greedy in free agency, they will more than likely have to wait until Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee come off the books before starting over. 

Frontrunner: None at the moment

Chances Mills is fired: Low 

St. Louis Cardinals

Current Manager: Tony La Russa

Status: In what is essentially a make-or-break year for the Cardinals when you consider the potential exit of Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman, along with the jettison of the young Colby Rasmus for a bunch of upcoming free agent arms, La Russa is in a perfect situation to bolt elsewhere. 

Like Guillen, La Russa has an "option" for 2012. However, the caveat of this is its a mutual option one that La Russa could decide to turn down if of course there is a favorable opening somewhere else and agree on if Albert Pujols returns.

La Russa began his managerial career on the south side of Chicago in 1979, where he brought onboard pitching coach Dave Duncan, who has been with him ever since. He already knows White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, and it would be the ideal transition from one fiery manager to a more seriously fiery other manager.  

Frontrunner: Jose Oquendo (current Cardinals 3B coach)

Chances it Happens: High