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Top 5 MLB Manager of the Year candidates in AL and NL

By Glenn Moore

Sep 19, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia (14) reacts during the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia (14) reacts during the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2014 MLB regular season is in its final week and there are some interesting candidates for Manager of the Year for the American League and National League, respectively.

The award comes down to the manager whose team has most exceeded expectations for the season. These are predictions based on the season to date and predicting how the voters will choose the winner in each league.

American League

1. Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have the best record in baseball at 96-61, which alone will earn Mike Scioscia plenty of votes. Even with the loss of Garrett Richards and inconsistency of starter C.J. Wilson, Scioscia has kept the Angels on track and prepared to make a deep postseason run.

2. Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles

Sep 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) watches the action during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) watches the action during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Without a staff ace and lack of production from Ubaldo Jimenez, the Orioles have opened up a 12-game lead in the AL East, one of baseball’s toughest divisions. Buck Showalter’s ballclub wasn’t a popular pick to win the division when the season started and have overcome key injuries to Manny Machado and Matt Wieters.

3. Ned Yost, Kansas City Royals

They Royals have not been in the postseason since 1985, when they won the World Series. Ned Yost has his team guaranteed a winning year and if the season ended today, would be in the AL wild-card game. The roster has not experienced a winning season and if the team doesn’t make the playoffs, Kansas City still has a bright future with Yost at the helm.

4. Lloyd McClendon, Seattle Mariners

After a decade of disappointment, the Seattle Mariners have been in the middle of the AL wild-card hunt late in the season. Lloyd McClendon has changed the culture of Mariners baseball as the team’s first-year manager. His team ranks high in run differential despite being in the bottom half in the league in runs scored. Seattle currently sits two games back of the second wild-card spot.

5. Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians

With their loss Monday night against the Royals, the Indians will need a miracle to reach the postseason for the second-straight year. Terry Francona was named Manager of the Year last season and has done an amazing job with a ballclub that has experienced injuries to regular players and trades involving their ace Justin Masterson and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

National League

Sep 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams (9) watches batting practice before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals manager Matt Williams (9) watches batting practice before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Matt Williams, Washington Nationals

If the Nationals continue to stay hot in the final week of the season, they will hold the best record in the NL going into the postseason. Rookie manager Matt Williams will improve the team’s record from last year and deserves credit for keeping the Nationals on top of the NL for most of the season.

2. Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates lost A.J. Burnett to free agency and sport a payroll ranked 26th in MLB. Yet, they still find themselves only 2.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central and five-games up for one of the wild card spot. Clint Hurdle is a great candidate to become the first back-to-back NL Manager of the Year since Bobby Cox with the Atlanta Braves in 2004 and 2005.

3. Ron Roenicke, Milwauke Brewers

Before the Milwaukee Brewers’ recent struggles late in the season, Rob Roenicke seemed to be a lock for Manager of the Year. They are still in the mix for a wild-card spot, but the team was sitting in first-place for most of the season. They once held a 6.5 game lead in NL Central, but a rough August and September took away any chance for Roenicke to win the award.

4. Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers

Sporting a high payroll in MLB does not always translate to a playoff spot. Don Mattingly and his Los Angeles Dodgers are the only top-four payroll team to currently hold a ticket to the postseason. While owning the league’s highest payroll will hurt Mattingly’s chances, he still deserves credit for living up to expectations.

5. Mike Redmond, Miami Marlins

While the Miami Marlins aren’t in any postseason race, they have to be considered one of baseball’s biggest turn around teams since losing 100 games in 2013. Mike Redmond has had a roster ranked at the bottom of MLB’s payroll list and should be able to avoid a 90-loss season. This team has truly surpassed expectations.

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