Was Rays Manager Kevin Cash Snubbed for AL Manager of the Year?

Did Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash get snubbed for the American League Manager of the Year Award?

It's a fair question, given what Cash accomplished during the 2026 regular season.

Despite leading Tampa Bay to the best record in the American League, Cash finished second in the voting behind Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable.

Venable received 15 first-place votes and 111 total points, while Cash finished with 12 first-place votes and 98 points.

And while Venable certainly deserves recognition for what he accomplished in Chicago, it's difficult to argue against the season Cash put together.

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 division title.

In fact, FanGraphs projected Tampa Bay to finish with a 79-83 record, giving the organization just a 4.3% chance of winning the division.

However, Cash helped guide the Rays to a 98-64 record, improving by 21 victories, capturing the AL East title, and securing the league's top postseason seed.

And considering Tampa Bay accomplished this with one of baseball's lowest payrolls, the turnaround was particularly impressive.

Cash consistently found ways to get important contributions throughout his roster.

Players such as Junior Caminero, Chandler Simpson and Victor Mesa Jr. helped provide 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 Tampa Bay'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.

However, Venable also had an impressive argument for receiving the award, but is it as impressive as Cash?

After finishing with just 60 victories in 2025, the White Sox improved to an 84-78 record, securing their first postseason appearance since 2021.

Chicago also became the first team in Major League Baseball history to reach the postseason after consecutive 100-loss seasons.

And while that accomplishment certainly deserves recognition, Tampa Bay still finished with 14 more victories than Chicago.

The Rays also exceeded their preseason projections by 19 wins while competing in one of baseball's most difficult divisions.

That's what makes Cash finishing second disappointing.

Especially considering he was only 13 voting points away from receiving his third career Manager of the Year Award.

Of course, Tampa Bay's eventual American League championship and World Series appearance weren't considered in the voting, which was completed before the postseason began.

However, Cash's regular-season accomplishments were already enough to make a compelling argument.

The veteran manager previously won the award in 2020 and 2021, becoming the first American League manager to receive the honor in consecutive seasons.

And while Cash won't be adding a third award to his résumé this year, his accomplishments shouldn't be overlooked.

Venable certainly earned his recognition for helping turn around the White Sox, but considering Tampa Bay's expectations, limited payroll, and eventual 98-win season, there's a legitimate argument that Cash deserved to win the award. One that I believe to be true.