MLB futures: American League Manager of the Year
The American League is going to be interesting this season. Texas was a surprise World Series champ last season and they have the pieces to be very good again. Is that enough for them to get a Manager of the Year award for Bruce Bochy? Another one? Maybe.
Brandon Hyde won the award last year guiding the Orioles to a 100-win season. If he does that again, this time with real expectations, maybe that will get him the award.
Per the NL Manager of the Year feature, it is hard to really know what makes someone a great manager. Or how much what they do really yields success. Nevertheless, let's take a look at the AL Manager of the Year market.
American League Manager of the Year Futures
Matt Quatraro, Kansas City Royals +650
I think the Royals are going to be one of the most improved teams in the American League this season. They are a great sleeper pick to win the AL Central, thanks to the offseason investments they have made, and it being a weak division overall. If he follows through on that promise he is going to be in great shape. Even getting to the playoffs as a Wild Card might be enough.
Stephen Vogt, Cleveland Guardians +950
The Guardians are enigmatic, but they might have just enough pitching to stay in the AL Central race all season long and win it. This is the one division that is really hard to handicap and the fact that Vogt has better odds than Baldelli below is telling as to what the markets really think of Cleveland. Vogt is not going to win this award by getting the Guardians to 78 wins. Similar to the above, a trip to the playoffs is probably required.
Joe Espada, Houston Astros +1200
Dusty Baker was not going to manage forever. Espada is a first-time MLB manager but finds himself walking into as good a situation as you can get. The team is good and basically, if everyone performs as they should, the playoffs and probably more are likely. If they don't, it is all his fault, right? All kidding aside, if Houston maintains its stranglehold on the AL West it is going to be hard to look past him. I think rookie managers get the benefit of the doubt.
John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays +1200
Toronto is perceived to be heading in the wrong direction. They have made the playoffs the last couple of seasons but flamed out, and their best player, Vlad Guerrero Jr. appears to be regressing. However, I see them as just as good a bet as Baltimore, New York or Tampa to win the division. They just need a couple of players to right themselves and avoid major injuries. If that happens Schneider will get the credit. If not, he might be the first coach fired this season.
Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins +1400
Yes, this is the third AL Central manager to consider (you could back all three and if one wins you are still ahead). Baldelli has three AL Central titles under his belt and broke through last season with some playoff success too. Maybe, the division is weaker than I think and the winner can build a significant win total, like Minnesota did in his first season (101 wins). This is a far from perfect team, but I can see that outcome and this price is a nice payoff.
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