Kevin Cash Named Manager of the Year Finalist After Leading Rays to AL's Best Record

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash is receiving some well-deserved recognition.

Cash has officially been named one of three finalists for the American League Manager of the Year Award, joining Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy and Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable.

And while Cash faces some impressive competition, it's difficult to argue against what he accomplished throughout the regular season.

Especially considering the expectations surrounding Tampa Bay entering the year.

After finishing the 2025 season with a disappointing 77-85 record, the Rays weren't necessarily expected to compete for an American League East title.

However, Cash helped guide Tampa Bay to a 98-64 record, improving by 21 victories while capturing the division championship and securing the American League's top postseason seed.

For Cash to be able to do this with one of baseball's lowest payrolls is always an impressive feat as well.

And while the Rays certainly had some talented players on their roster, Cash consistently found ways to get important contributions throughout the lineup.

Players such as Junior Caminero, Chandler Simpson and Victor Mesa Jr. helped provide Tampa Bay with offensive production, while the starting rotation developed into one of the organization's biggest strengths.

Perhaps one of Cash's most important decisions came with his approach to the bullpen.

After years of utilizing different pitchers in high-leverage situations, Cash established Bryan Baker as the team's primary closer.

The decision paid off.

Baker finished the regular season with 41 saves and a 1.44 ERA, becoming one of baseball's most effective relief pitchers while earning recognition as an American League Reliever of the Year finalist.

However, Cash isn't the only manager receiving recognition for helping his organization exceed expectations.

Tracy took over the Red Sox following a disappointing 10-17 start, eventually helping Boston finish with an 87-75 record and reach the postseason.

Meanwhile, Venable completely turned around the White Sox as they improved from only 60 wins in 2025 to 84 in 2026, guiding Chicago to its first winning season since 2022.

However, Cash has an interesting case considering Tampa Bay finished with the best record in the American League.

Cash previously won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 2020 and 2021, becoming the first manager in league history to win the award in consecutive seasons.

A third victory would further strengthen his place among the most accomplished managers in franchise history.

The winner will officially be announced November 10.

And while Tampa Bay's eventual World Series appearance won't factor into the voting, which was completed before the postseason, Cash's regular-season accomplishments certainly deserve consideration.

Especially considering how much the Rays improved from the previous year.

Regardless of whether Cash wins his third Manager of the Year Award, his recognition is another reminder of just how impressive Tampa Bay's 2026 season was.

And considering the expectations surrounding the organization entering the year, perhaps nobody deserves more credit for that turnaround than its manager.