Keep in mind that a team has to be pretty good in order for its manager to be considered for this award. The American League welcomes three new bench bosses for the 2021 season, though none are first timers and one has four Manager of the Year trophies on his mantle already. Tony LaRussa inherits a stacked lineup upon his return to the Chicago White Sox, with whom he won the award three times, though the last was nearly 30 years ago. LaRussa also earned the honor with St. Louis in the National League more recently in 2002. If things go well in Toronto this season Charlie Montoya could reap the benefits. The Blue Jays have an abundance of talent and are positioned as a threat in the Eastern Division leaving Montoya as the favorite to win the honor this season. Let’s take a look at a few of the managers who have value in the AL Manager of the Year futures market. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of odds and to make your wager.
2021 AL Manager of the Year Odds at BookMaker.eu
Charlie Montoyo (Toronto Blue Jays) +700
Aaron Boone (New York Yankees) +750
Rocco Baldelli (Minnesota Twins) +800
Alex Cora (Boston Red Sox) +900
Dusty Baker (Houston Astros) +900
Joe Maddon (Los Angeles Angels) +900
Bob Melvin (Oakland Athletics) +1000
Terry Francona (Cleveland Indians) +1000
Tony La Russa (Chicago White Sox) +1000
Kevin Cash (Tampa Bay Rays) +1200
AJ Hinch (Detroit Tigers) +1400
Brandon Hyde (Baltimore Orioles) +1600
Chris Woodward (Texas Rangers) +1600
Mike Matheny (Kansas City Royals) +1600
Scott Servais (Seattle Mariners) +1600
2021 AL Manager of the Year
Since the award was first handed out in 1983 no manager had a losing record and all but two finished first or second in their division. Remember this isn’t an award for the worst manager. Most times it just happens to go to the guy running the show of the best team in the league, something that has more to do with the players than the manager. Still, massaging egos, working through injuries and setting the right lineup are a gift.
When a team is an overwhelming favorite to win the league that can work against a manager. Such is the case for New York’s Aaron Boone. Sure, he’s listed as the second favorite on the odds board, but if the Yankees win their division and advance to the postseason it’s not like he did anything. The team was expected to win. The only way Boonie gets the award is if the Yanks win like 130 games, and that’s not going to happen.
The value in this market lies with Montoya. He went just 67-95 in his first season and things weren’t expected to be much better last year. But the Jays surprised a lot of folks finishing above .500 (32-28) for the first time in four years and qualifying for the playoffs. The expanded postseason helped, but still it was a nice turnaround for the team north of the border. The upward trajectory is expected to continue in 2021 with a young, talented group that includes Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Teoscar Hernandez. The Jays even opened up the pocketbook for free agents Marcus Semien and George Springer. They play in a tough division with the Yankees and Rays, but winning 90 games isn’t out of the question.
A return to his roots didn’t help Joe Maddon last year, but the Angels are poised to make a postseason run with an improved rotation and the best player in baseball. Maddon didn’t suddenly become a bad manager he just didn’t have the tools to work with like he did in Tampa and Chicago. It’s time the Halos did something for Mike Trout, who has never won a playoff game in his career and hasn’t been to the postseason since 2014. There is plenty of room for improvement with the Angels and the coolest manager in the game will get the most out of this bunch. Finishing at or near the top of the AL West and getting to the postseason will certainly give Maddon a leg up in the race.
There’s never been a back-to-back winner of this award so you can count Tampa’s Kevin Cash out of the running. Besides, seeing the small-market Rays finish as one of the top teams is old news. The longshot who sparks my interest is Seattle’s Scott Servais, who is the longest of shots according to the odds. Everything has to break just right for Servais and the Mariners, but they have some pieces in place and actually exceeded expectations last season. And watching Don Mattingly win the award last year in the NL shows that nothing is off the table.
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