In all seriousness, three teams who won 90+ games fired their managers this year. Are expectations just generally too high around the league? I mean, if it ain't broke (or broke just a little bit with a chance to get into the tournament every year)...
I honestly think that the Cubs letting Rick Renteria to bring in Maddon (then going on to win it) marked a sea change in how much continuity in the managerial role really matters, compared to seeking an upgrade. If the A-list clubs don't have a skipper who they think is a slam-dunk top 5 in MLB, they're going to hunt an upgrade. The New York Yankees do. Not. Settle. for "above average," and why should they? And if the skipper doesn't have the clubhouse fully behind him, the club's going to pull the trigger on whatever shiny upgrade they've identified this month.The guy was an above average manager, with staying power. I would have kept him.
What's really got me thinking, though, is the notion of managerial careers and generational cycles are intertwined, as an ability to connect with Young Millenials seems to be driving a spike in younger first-time managers getting a shot. I have no idea if that spike is factual or perceptual, but it would be super-interesting to see if there's any historical clustering in when first-time managers are hired.