The opening MLB Manager of the Year odds for the 2025 season are full of exciting betting options for both the American and National League. You can back pretty much any manager, but who is going to win the award?
Keep reading for the latest AL and NL Manager of the Year odds and my analysis. I will break down the current options for managers in both leagues and give my Manager of the Year predictions for 2025.
MLB Manager of the Year Odds for 2025
Manager of the Year is typically given to the manager whose team exceeded expectations the most in the regular season. Outstanding seasons, such as 100-win seasons, can also make a manager a candidate. Here are the latest 2025 NL and AL Manager of the Year odds, courtesy of Bovada.
AL Manager of the Year 2025 Odds
- Dan Wilson (SEA) (+350)
- Kevin Cash (TB) (+550)
- Rocco Baldelli (MIN) (+600)
- John Schneider (TOR) (+650)
- Alex Cora (BOS) (+700)
- Ron Washington (LAA) (+850)
- J. Hinch (DET) (+900)
- Mark Kotsay (ATH) (+1000)
Seattle’s Dan Wilson is the +350 favorite to win AL Manager of the Year at top MLB betting sites. Wilson took over as the Mariners manager last August, and the team finished with a 21-13 record under him.
Kevin Cash, who is entering his 11th season as the Rays manager, has the second-best odds at +550. He is closely followed by Minnesota’s Rocco Baldelli (+600) and Toronto’s John Schneider (+650).
NL Manager of the Year 2025 Odds
- Craig Counsell (CHC) (+500)
- Terry Francona (CIN) (+550)
- Derek Shelton (PIT) (+600)
- Dave Roberts (LAD) (+700)
- Bob Melvin (SF) (+800)
- Dave Martinez (WSH) (+850)
- Brian Snitker (ATL) (+950)
- Carlos Mendoza (NYM) (+950)
The betting odds for NL Manager of the Year are even more wide open. Chicago Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell is the +500 favorite, but Cincinnati’s Terry Francona is a close second at +550. Pittsburgh’s Derek Shelton rounds out the top three at +600 in the latest odds at Bovada.
Dave Roberts led the Dodgers to a World Series win last year and is currently fourth in the opening NL Manager of the Year odds. Under Roberts, LA has a 62.7% winning percentage, but he has only won Manager of the Year once (2016).
If you already have a favorite for any of the conferences, you can find the odds by going to Bovada > Sports > Baseball > MLB Awards.
AL Manager of the Year 2025 Favorites
The last four American League Managers of the Year have guided their teams to 90+ win seasons. Here is a closer look at the top three favorites for 2025 AL Manager of the Year.
Dan Wilson (SEA) (+350)
Seattle started the 2024 season on the right foot but could not carry their momentum through the summer. After starting 44-31 and gaining a 10-game lead over the Astros, Seattle crashed and burned in the second half of the season.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson:
“I love the guys that we have. Offensively, the things we did at the end of the season were impressive. … To me, this is a team that can get to the World Series.” pic.twitter.com/0ICrneBET2
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) December 10, 2024
The Mariners lost the division to Houston by 3.5 games and missed the playoffs. Scott Servais, the team’s manager since 2016, was fired in August. Dan Wilson replaced Servais as manager, and the Mariners went 21-13 after the change.
Expectations are low for Wilson despite his success last season. Seattle has only made the playoffs once in the last 20 years. Wilson will likely win Manager of the Year if he can help stabilize the organization and get the Mariners to the postseason.
Kevin Cash (TB) (+550)
Kevin Cash assumed Manager duties for Tampa Bay ahead of the 2-15 season. He helped the Rays earn five straight playoff appearances, including back-to-back World Series (2020, 2021) wins, between 2019 and 2023.
Tampa missed the playoffs last year and has not won a playoff game since 2021. Their 80-82 record last season was their first losing one since 2017 and good enough for only fourth in the AL East.
Cash won two Manager of the Year awards during the Rays’ back-to-back championship seasons. After a disappointing 2024, it should be easier for him to exceed expectations this year.
NL Manager of the Year 2025 Favorites
The race for NL Manager of the Year is wide open. Milwaukee’s Pat Murphy won the award last year after the Brewers finished 93-69 and first in the NL Central. Here are the favorites to win NL Manager of the Year in 2025.
Craig Counsell (CHC) (+500)
Milwaukee made the playoffs in five of Craig Counsell’s final six years as manager. Despite the relative success, Counsell left Milwaukee after the 2023 season and took over managerial duties for the rival Cubs.
Kyle Tucker is LITERALLY a Chicago Cub
pic.twitter.com/imfcssyl8i— Cristian da Costa (@CubsAllThings) February 23, 2025
In his first year in Chicago, the Cubs had a winning season, but their 83-79 record was only third in the NL Central. The Cubs missed the playoffs, but that could be good news for Counsell’s Manager of the Year odds. A playoff appearance this season will look better by comparison.
Still, making the postseason may not be enough to lock up Manager of the Year honors. Despite reaching five postseason appearances and winning 90+ games three times, Counsell never won the award in Milwaukee. On the other hand, the Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker this offseason, so Chicago is in a good position to bounce back after a down year in 2024.
Terry Francona (CIN) (+550)
The manager with the second-best odds to win NL Manager of the Year is Cincinnati’s Terry Francona (+550). Francona has a 53.8% winning percentage and nearly 2,000 wins as a manager, but this will be his first year in Cincinnati.
The franchise finished 77-85 last season, one game ahead of Pittsburgh for fourth place in the NL Central. Francona helped Boston and Cleveland build championship contenders in his previous two stops in the MLB. Repeating that feat in Cincinnati, which has not won more than 83 games in a season in over a decade, will be easier said than done.
2025 MLB Manager of the Year Sleepers
There are exciting sleeper options to consider before betting on your 2025 MLB Manager of the Year predictions, too. Here are two dark horses for each league this year.
AL Manager of the Year Sleepers
- Alex Cora (BOS) (+700)
- Stephen Vogt (CLE) (+1800)
Alex Cora has a tough job ahead of him in the competitive AL East this season. Boston won the World Series in his first year as manager, but he has struggled to recreate that success since. However, if he can navigate the Rafael Devers drama and make Boston a contender, his 7-1 odds for Manager of the Year could be a steal.
Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt also faces a challenging road to winning AL Manager of the Year. Vogt won the award last year and is attempting to become the second AL manager to win the award in back-to-back years. If Vogt can keep Cleveland as a top team in the AL and get 90+ wins again, he will at least be considered for the award.
NL Manager of the Year Sleepers
- Brian Snitker (ATL) (+950)
- Mike Shildt (SD) (+1200)
In the NL, my top sleepers for Manager of the Year are Brian Snitker and Mike Shildt. Snitker received four third-place votes last year, and Atlanta made the playoffs despite injuries to top stars like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider. A healthy roster should help Snitker exceed expectations this year.
Shildt, on the other hand, finished second in the 2024 Manager of the Year voting. Beating the Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West will be tough, but it could be Shildt’s best path to his second Manager of the Year award.
MLB Manager of the Year 2025 Predictions and Betting Picks
Only one manager in each league can claim this award. Here are my MLB Manager of the Year predictions for the AL and NL.
AL Manager of the Year Prediction
My 2025 AL Manager of the Year prediction is Alex Cora (+700). Boston has the talent to take a step forward, but offseason drama has lowered expectations for the Red Sox this year.
"A lot of people praise me because I'm a great communicator, well, we're about to find out."
Alex Cora addresses Rafael Devers' comments about wanting to stay at third base.#SpringTrainingTour | #RedSox
🔗https://t.co/PafVPSYiAo pic.twitter.com/gi9D3T0c9p— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 26, 2025
However, I think Cora and Boston will return to the playoffs in 2025. The Yankees are due to take a step back after losing the World Series and Juan Soto’s exit. That should open the door for Boston to compete for a top-two spot in the AL East, make the playoffs, and make Cora a Manager of the Year contender.
NL Manager of the Year Prediction
Brian Snitker (+950) is my 2025 NL Manager of the Year prediction. Atlanta’s 2024 season was derailed by injuries and the Braves still managed to make the postseason.
A healthy Braves team should make their eighth consecutive playoff appearance under Snitker. Winning the East, the toughest division in the NL, will not be easier. However, beating the Phillies and the Mets for the top spot in the division would be enough for Snitker to win his second Manager of the Year award.
More MLB Futures for 2025
The above Manager of the Year odds are just one example of season-long futures for the 2025 MLB season. Check out these other blogs for more predictions from our MLB betting experts.
