The National League Manager of the Year award is an annual honor given by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) to the best manager in the National League of Major League Baseball (MLB). The award is based on a vote conducted after the regular season, with two BBWAA members from each NL city casting ballots for first, second, and third place. Points are awarded on a 5-3-1 scale, and the manager with the highest total wins. The award has been presented since 1983, replacing the earlier practice of naming a single Manager of the Year for both leagues. The 2026 season will be the 44th edition of the award for the National League. Managers are evaluated on their team's performance relative to expectations, in-season adjustments, handling of the bullpen and roster, and overall leadership. The award often goes to managers of teams that exceed preseason projections, make the playoffs, or overcome significant injuries. Recent winners include Skip Schumaker (2023) for leading the Miami Marlins to a wild card berth, and Bob Melvin (2024) for guiding the San Diego Padres to a division title. The 2025 winner has yet to be determined as of early 2025. Interest in the 2026 NL Manager of the Year race is driven by several factors. The National League features several teams in transition, such as the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, that could surprise. The expansion of the playoffs to 12 teams increases the number of contenders. Additionally, the rise of analytics-driven decision making has changed how managers are evaluated, with voters paying more attention to bullpen usage, defensive shifts, and lineup optimization. The award also carries weight in contract negotiations and Hall of Fame discussions for managers. Prediction markets for this award allow bettors to assess which managers have the best combination of talent, schedule, and narrative. Markets often move based on spring training reports, early season performance, and midseason trades. The 2026 season is still far off, but early odds reflect the perceived strength of teams like the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies, whose managers are perennial candidates.

Historical Context

The NL Manager of the Year award was first presented in 1983, replacing the single Manager of the Year award that had been given since 1936. The first winner was Tommy Lasorda of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The award has been won by 29 different managers, with Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa each winning four times, the most in NL history. Cox won in 1985, 1988, 1991, and 2004 with the Atlanta Braves. La Russa won in 1983, 1988, 1992, and 2002 with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox (the 1983 win was in the AL). The voting criteria have evolved over time. In the 1980s and 1990s, voters often favored managers of teams that made the playoffs, especially those that won division titles. Since the 2000s, the award has increasingly gone to managers who exceed expectations, such as Dusty Baker (2000 Giants), Jack McKeon (2003 Marlins), and Joe Maddon (2008 Rays, AL). The 2010s saw a shift toward valuing in-game strategy and analytics, with winners like Dave Roberts (2016) and Craig Counsell (2018) praised for their bullpen management and defensive positioning. The award has also been influenced by the expansion of playoffs. From 1983 to 1993, only two teams per league made the playoffs. After 1994, the wild card was introduced, and later the second wild card in 2012. The 2022 expansion to 12 playoff teams means more managers are in contention late in the season, which can affect voting. No manager has won the award in consecutive seasons since Bobby Cox in 1991-1992, though several have come close.

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