Former Red Sox, Blue Jays catcher predicted to win AL Manager of the Year

There's been no larger surprise in Major League Baseball this year than the success of the Tampa Bay Rays. 

This was a team that was predicted by many to finish dead last in the AL East. Well, it's June 2, and all of those predictions couldn't be more wrong thus far. 

The Athletic's Tim Britton gives a lot of credit to manager Kevin Cash, who could win his third AL Manager of the Year Award at the end of the season. 

"The majors’ longest-tenured manager is at it again, leading the Rays to the American League’s best record through two months," Britton wrote. "As usual for Tampa Bay, an excellent pitching staff has been supplemented by a bunch of different contributors on the offensive end. You’ve got to give Cash credit — heh heh — for getting the most out of that lineup." 

Cash is a former Major League catcher who spent parts of six seasons of his eight-year career with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. 

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He won Manager of the Year in 2020 and 2021. Once again, Cash is finding ways to get the most out of a roster that is easily overlooked due to a lack of star power. 

"Nothing about the personnel suggests it should be second in the AL in runs per game," Britton added. "Heck, nothing about every other stat the Rays’ offense is compiling suggests it should be second in the AL in runs per game. Yet, here they are." 

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