Baseball rankings: Assessing managers’ job security

Three managers have already been replaced this season and you can bet a few more will be looking for jobs this winter. But while some managers are on a hot seat, others are sitting on a throne with job security for the foreseeable future. Staff writer Kevin Baxter takes a look at the 15 safest and five most vulnerable managers in baseball:

Safe at home

Mike Scioscia, Angels; Has more control than any manager in baseball — and seven seasons left on his contract.

Terry Francona, Boston; His Red Sox clubs average more than 93 wins, so the team will pick up contract options the next two years.

Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia; With the Phillies on their way to fifth straight division title, the job is his as long as the 67-year-old wants it.

Ron Roenicke, Milwaukee; Former Scioscia lieutenant has majors’ fifth-best record in his rookie season as manager.

Joe Girardi, N.Y. Yankees; Aging team is in transition but Girardi, signed through 2013, has the temperament to guide the change.

Kirk Gibson, Arizona; Hard-nosed former Dodgers World Series star has low-budget Diamondbacks poised to win the NL West.

Ron Washington, Texas; Has guided the best three-year stretch in franchise history, including run to World Series last year.

Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay; After four straight winning seasons, two division titles and a World Series appearance, Rays no longer a laughingstock.

Jim Leyland, Detroit; At 66, he repeatedly talks retirement. But last month he signed up for another season.

Fredi Gonzalez, Atlanta; Bobby Cox personally groomed his successor, who is heading to the playoffs in his first season in charge.

Manny Acta, Cleveland; Kept young Indians in the AL Central race into September, a year ahead of schedule.

Bruce Bochy, San Francisco; Led Giants to three straight winning seasons and their only World Series title since moving from New York.

Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh; Bucs will finish with 19th straight losing season, but he had had them in the NL Central lead on July 25.

Jim Tracy, Colorado; A vote of confidence is often the kiss of death, but Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd promises his manager will be back.

John Farrell, Toronto; In rookie season as manager, he has rebuilding Blue Jays above .500.

On the hot seat

Davey Johnson, Washington; When the 68-year-old took job in June he agreed to help choose his successor after the season.

Brad Mills, Houston; Astros have to clean house and the manager will be among those paying price for baseball’s worst record.

Jack McKeon, Florida; With move to a new stadium next season, club will replace octogenarian with a big-name manager.

Buck Showalter, Baltimore; He worked miracles over the last two months of 2010 but the magic has run out.

Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox; Recently demanded a long-term extension. Performed masterfully on the field but management is tired of his act.

kevin.baxter@latimes.com