Terry Francona — Cleveland Guardians
Terry Francona’s Red Sox never won less than 86 games in a season during his eight years as manager. During his tenure, the Red Sox won two World Series and established themselves as a perennial contender. Francona, now in his tenth season in Cleveland, hopes to guide his team to the playoffs for the sixth time. Cleveland’s manager has guided the team to five seasons with 90 or more wins, including 102 in 2017.
Bob Melvin — San Diego Padres
Bob Melvin patrolled Oakland’s dugout from 2011 through 2021, largely flying beneath the national radar. Melvin guided the A’s to back-to-back 97-win seasons in 2018-19 and a third straight playoff appearance in ’20. Despite financial constraints, Melvin has continually demonstrated that he can compete with the best of them. Melvin will try to unseat two of baseball’s top teams in his debut season as manager of the Padres, the Dodgers and the Giants, in order to make a run for the World Series.