Predicting the American League Manager of the Year finalists

The American League playoff picture is far from sealed as MLB marches towards its final week of the season, but the finalists for the AL Manager of the Year Award may be nearly set. Although awards won't be announced until November, these three managers have already demonstrated their excellence.

John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays jumped from last place in the AL East in 2024 with a 74-88 record to an 89-64 showing in 2025. Toronto is on the verge of winning the division for the first time since 2015, and its skipper played a significant role in their bounce-back campaign.

Schneider has dramatically refined a team that has endured very few roster changes between seasons. According to Baseball Reference, Toronto’s lineup rose from 19 WAR in 2024 to 24.6 in 2025, and its rotation skyrocketed from 3.1 WAR to 10.7. Stark improvement on both sides of the ball has resulted in an impressive +159 run differential, per ESPN. What’s most remarkable is how Schneider has managed to come out on top while injuries have run amok in Toronto. First baseman Anthony Santander and key pitchers like Bowden Francis and Yimi Garcia have been sidelined for the majority of the season. 

In his second full year as manager, Schneider deserves credit for navigating an injury-plagued pitching staff and competitive division without hiccups.

Will Venable, Chicago White Sox

Venable has made a profound impact on the White Sox, marginally bettering every aspect of Southside Chicago baseball.

With a slim $77 million payroll, via Spotrac, Venable has helped the White Sox leap from 41 wins and a -306 run differential to at least 57 wins and a -89 run differential, as listed by ESPN. Venable has also overseen the development and strong production of Chicago’s rookies. According to Baseball Reference, six rookie positional players, including Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Edgar Quero, hold a cumulative 7.9 WAR. Rookie pitchers Mike Vasil, Wikelman Gonzalez and Shane Smith add 4.6 WAR total.

Although it’s unlikely, Venable’s best chance at securing the accolade is if the White Sox can avoid 100 losses — Chicago is 57-96 as of Thursday. Joe Girardi is the only manager in MLB history to earn Manager of the Year after finishing the season with a losing record in 2006 with the Miami Marlins. While Venable probably won’t win Manager of the Year, his impact on the team should be recognized.

Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox

Expectations for the Red Sox were high after finishing .500 last season, and Cora hasn’t disappointed in guiding his squad to another encouraging campaign. 

Several challenges have plagued Cora along the way. Offseason acquisition Walker Buehler didn’t rebound as anticipated, and starter Patrick Sandoval was sidelined for the year before April began. First baseman Triston Casas' season ended in May, and rookie Kristian Campbell was demoted to Triple-A in June. Most notably, the Red Sox willingly traded designated hitter Rafael Devers in mid-June to the San Francisco Giants. Despite all these critical losses, Cora has managed to keep Boston afloat and on the heels of the Blue Jays and New York Yankees for most of the season.

Boston’s run differential has increased by +98, according to ESPN, with only an $8 million increase in payroll, per Spotrac. At 83-70, Cora’s case for winning Manager of the Year is contingent upon the Red Sox making the playoffs. Boston is third in the AL East and holds a 1.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL wild-card spot.