Here’s how hot each MLB manager’s seat will get in 2018
By Brad Weiss
Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays
Back in 2014, Kevin Cash succeeded Joe Maddon as the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. At the time, it seemed like a joke of a hiring, as Cash was only 37-years old, and had just ended his career as a player.
Three years later, Cash is no longer a joke, and has done a great job winning games with a Rays roster that really has little talent. Whenever the organization develops a player, they trade them away before they have to pay them, leaving Cash with one of the hardest jobs in baseball.
Still, Cash has won 80 games as manager of the Rays in two of his three seasons, and he comes into the 2018 season in a very good position with the organization. While his roster does not have a ton of talent, they have a front-line starter in Chris Archer, who could be trade bait as we get closer to the All Star Break.
Cash has done a nice job keeping this team focused, and if he does see his tenure in Tampa Bay end, he will be a hot commodity elsewhere. He is an incredible baseball man, and the Rays are likely to give teams fits again in 2018.
Alex Colome is a solid closer, and Denard Span is a nice addition to an outfield led by Kevin Kiermaier. Evan Longoria is gone, and he was the face of the franchise, but the hope is someone can step up this season, and help this team possibly eclipse the .500 mark in Cash’s fourth season at the helm.