Blue Jays' Schneider an early candidate for manager of the year

According to MLB.com writer and baseball insider Will Leitch, Schneider has the best shot at winning AL Manager of the Year among skippers in the AL East.

As Leitch points out, 2025 is a boom-or-bust season for both Schneider and the Blue Jays. If the team struggles, he could find himself out of a job. However, if the Blue Jays make the playoffs-or at the very least finish above .500, which is the expectation-Schneider could be rewarded for his efforts.

Voters tend to favour managers who lead dramatic turnarounds, and with the Blue Jays coming off a disappointing 2024, a bounce-back season could put Schneider in prime position for the award.

In the AL East, Brandon Hyde (2023) and Kevin Cash (2021) have recently won the honour, while John Gibbons (2015) and Charlie Montoyo (2020) were finalists. The only Blue Jays manager ever to win the award was Bobby Cox in 1985. Despite leading the team to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, Cito Gaston never won, a decision many still consider a snub.

Schneider's .525 winning percentage is better than his last two predecessors, and while some fans remain skeptical, he is highly respected in the clubhouse-a key advantage over his former boss, Montoyo. Many of the current Blue Jays played under Schneider in the minors, strengthening his connection with the roster.

Regardless of how things shake out, 2025 will be a defining season for both Schneider and the future of the Blue Jays franchise.