Ranking the top 6 Manager of the Year finalists
Last winter's coaching carousel will be on full display Tuesday, as four of the six skippers up for Manager of the Year are in their first season with their respective clubs.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed the three finalists for Manager of the Year from each league last week, and will announce the winner on MLB Network beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Here's how the six finalists stack up against each other:
1. Joe Maddon, Cubs - NL
The Chicago Cubs spent big to land Joe Maddon after he opted out of his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays last November, and the move paid immediate dividends. The Cubs finished 97-65, a 24-win improvement and the third-best mark in the majors, while advancing to the NLCS for the first time since 2003. Maddon is the only manager nominated who's won the award before (in 2008 and 2011).
2. A.J. Hinch, Astros - AL
Following two unsuccessful years as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, A.J. Hinch led the Houston Astros to their first postseason appearance in more than a decade. With a solid young core built up by six consecutive losing seasons, the Astros spent 139 days atop the AL West before finally relinquishing their lead and settling for the second wild-card. They'd eventually be knocked out in Game 5 of the ALDS by the World Series champions Kansas City Royals.
3. Jeff Banister, Rangers - AL
The Texas Rangers overcame an 8-16 start and the loss of ace Yu Darvish to win their first division title since 2011, and came within one game of advancing to the ALCS. Texas went 38-22 to close the season and finished 88-74 - a 21-win improvement over the previous year.
4. Terry Collins, Mets - NL
Terry Collins' job status was in question last year following a fourth straight losing season at the helm, but the New York Mets believed their young core of prospects were on the verge of being major-league ready and decided to keep the skipper on staff. The front office's patience was rewarded, as Collins could become the first manager in franchise history to receive the award after leading New York to its first postseason since 2006 and first World Series appearance since 2000.
5. Paul Molitor, Twins - AL
In his first year on the job, Paul Molitor had the Minnesota Twins within one game of the second wild-card spot heading into the final week of the season. Armed with a middle-of-the pack pitching staff and offense, the Twins finished with 83 wins, a 13-win improvement over the previous season and their highest mark since 2010. Molitor was named Sporting News Manager of the Year last month, and either he or Banister could become the fifth rookie manager to ever win the award.
6. Mike Matheny, Cardinals - NL
The St. Louis Cardinals reached the postseason for a fourth straight season under Mike Matheny despite dealing with their fair share of adversity. Top prospect Oscar Taveras died during the winter, while ace Adam Wainwright and outfielder Matt Holliday missed a large chunk of the season with injuries. Still, St. Louis finished with an MLB-best 100 wins, becoming the first team to reach the century mark since the 2009 New York Yankees.