Baseball has its fair share of individual awards, but Manager of the Year doesn’t just reward wins — it rewards leadership, resilience, and, more often than not, defying the odds. 

Sure, MVPs and Cy Young winners grab the flashier headlines, but the best managers often do more than just win games; they reshape their teams’ identities and elevate them far beyond preseason expectations. 

Since 2012, every Manager of the Year has guided his squad into the postseason, often flipping the script on a club that had struggled before. Last year was no exception — Stephen Vogt led the Cleveland Guardians to October, and Pat Murphy did the same with the Milwaukee Brewers. Now, as the 2025 season revs up, we’re looking at a fresh crop of skippers hoping to follow in their footsteps.

Top AL Manager of the Year Candidates

Dan Wilson (Seattle Mariners)

Dan Wilson took over the Mariners partway through the 2024 season and promptly guided them to a 21-13 record in his brief stint —no small feat given Seattle’s history of near-misses. He replaced Scott Servais, who had winning records but only one playoff appearance. Under Wilson’s watch, star outfielder Julio Rodriguez thrived, and the team seemed to find a new gear. Now he’s got a full season to implement his vision.

Wilson is already popping up as a strong contender, with FanDuel listing him around +400. That makes sense — he’s leading a young, exciting Mariners team with Rodriguez at the center of it all. The pitching staff isn’t flashy, but it’s deep enough to keep Seattle in the fight. If Wilson keeps them on the same trajectory they were on at the end of last season, he could be the guy who finally gets them over the hump and into consistent playoff contention. 

Alex Cora (Boston Red Sox)

A World Series champion in 2018, Alex Cora has already left a massive imprint on the Red Sox. But after some turbulent years, Fenway faithful are itching for a return to the postseason. With a few notable offseason additions, Cora might have the pieces to get Boston back on track.

Boston made a splash by acquiring hard-throwing lefty Garrett Crochet and snagging Alex Bregman for infield stability. Boston’s got a solid mix of young talent and seasoned vets, and fans are dying to see if this group can finally get back to October. If the Red Sox snap their playoff drought dating back to 2021, it’ll be another testament to Cora’s ability to mesh experienced leaders with up-and-coming stars. Some analysts even see them as a sneaky contender in the AL East — so if they manage to break through, Cora’s stock will rise in a hurry.

The AL East is perpetually competitive — teams like the Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays, and Orioles won’t make it easy on Boston. Voters might also feel they’ve seen Cora succeed before, so the novelty factor might not be as strong as, say, a first-year skipper leading a team out of obscurity.

A.J. Hinch (Detroit Tigers)

A.J. Hinch has been steering the Tigers through a rebuild, showing glimpses of promise along the way. He finished third in the AL Manager of the Year voting in 2024, a sign that people around the league are starting to notice his leadership and player development chops. If Detroit finally makes its long-awaited leap into serious contention, Hinch could find himself taking home the hardware.

Hinch is consistently near the top of betting boards thanks to Detroit’s intriguing mix of young pitching talent and improving hitters. The Tigers haven’t sniffed the postseason in several years, but their arrow is pointing up. He really knows how to connect with his guys in the clubhouse, earning their trust and getting the most out of them when it matters most.

Even though the AL Central isn’t as star-studded as the East or West, it’s unpredictable. Cleveland, Minnesota, and Kansas City all have arguments for why they might surge. If Detroit doesn't take a big jump, voters might lean toward managers who blow their win projections out of the water.

Other Potential AL Candidates

Mark Kotsay (Oakland Athletics): With the A’s facing relocation drama, Kotsay could channel that uncertainty into motivation — us-against-the-world vibe — watch out for a narrative-driven run.

Matt Quatraro (Kansas City Royals): Quatraro nearly stole the show last year with a second-place finish. He knows how to coax production out of youthful rosters, so another strong season would force voters to take note.

Top NL Manager of the Year Candidates

Terry Francona (Cincinnati Reds)

Few managers in the modern game command the respect that Terry Francona does. After retiring briefly, he returned to manage a Cincinnati Reds squad starved for success. With multiple Manager of the Year accolades and two World Series rings already under his belt, he’s aiming to resurrect a franchise that hasn’t cracked 83 wins in over a decade.

The Reds’ roster includes budding superstar Elly De La Cruz — who some say could challenge for MVP honors if everything clicks — and promising pieces like Matt McLain. If Francona’s steady hand guides them to a postseason berth, it’ll add another chapter to his legendary career. Analysts love the romantic idea of a revered manager lifting a long-dormant club out of the slums. Bettors do, too, as Francona is often near the top of NL Manager of the Year odds.

Craig Counsell (Chicago Cubs)

Craig Counsell has made a habit of finishing near the top in Manager of the Year voting, only to come up just short. Now, he’s with the Chicago Cubs, hoping to transfer the resourcefulness he showed in Milwaukee to one of the league’s biggest markets. If he breaks the Cubs out of their recent mediocrity, it might finally be his time to shine.

Oddsmakers like Counsell’s track record, labeling him a strong contender yet again. The Cubs added outfielder Kyle Tucker, among other pieces, to bolster a team that showed flashes late last season. If Counsell’s bullpen wizardry and knack for platoon advantages help Chicago secure an NL Central title or a Wild Card, voters might decide it’s time he got his due.

Torey Lovullo (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Torey Lovullo claimed this award in 2017, when he guided the Diamondbacks to a surprisingly strong season. Arizona has had its share of ups and downs since, but back-to-back winning seasons signal a real turning point. With a roster that’s quietly getting better, Lovullo’s second act might be on the horizon.

Over the offseason, the D-backs brought in Corbin Burnes, boosting a rotation that could contend with anyone on the right day. If Arizona reaches 90 wins and nabs a Wild Card in a division dominated by the Dodgers and Padres, Lovullo’s accomplishment will be impossible to overlook. He’s proven he can handle adversity, and that steadiness resonates with voters.

The NL West is stacked, and even the Giants can be a thorn in the side. If Arizona can’t crack the top two or three teams, Lovullo’s candidacy will be short-lived. Strong seasons that fall just short of the playoffs don’t garner the same enthusiasm as a truly breakthrough campaign.

Other Potential NL Candidates

Derek Shelton (Pittsburgh Pirates): Paul Skenes and an emerging core could launch the Bucs into relevance. If they shock the NL by snagging a playoff spot, Shelton’s name will undoubtedly pop up.

Carlos Mendoza (New York Mets): In year two, Mendoza faces sky-high expectations. If he transforms the Mets’ star-laden roster into a serious October threat, the big-city spotlight could work in his favor.

The Managers Who Move the Needle

So, where does that leave us in the race for 2025 Manager of the Year? As always, it’s about blowing past forecasts.

Baseball’s unpredictability is what makes this award so fun to watch. A sudden hot streak, an unexpected rookie breakout, or a string of unfortunate injuries can transform a team’s trajectory — and elevate (or derail) a manager’s case. 

By season’s end, we’ll have seen which skippers navigated these twists effectively, whether through strategic lineup choices, brilliant bullpen usage, or simply creating a winning culture in the clubhouse.

And don’t discount the possibility of a total wild card emerging. The Pirates or Athletics, for instance, might surprise everyone if things click just right.

Ultimately, the managers who receive this honor do more than just win — they inspire belief that their team can achieve what seemed impossible a few months prior.