MLB Predictions 2012: Bobby Valentine and 5 Candiates for Manager of the Year

The Manager of the Year award is won by the manager who sparks significant improvement in their team from the previous season.

Bobby Valentine is a prime candidate to win the award this year if he leads the Red Sox back to the playoffs in 2012. 

Here are five other managers who find themselves in the position to bring their respective teams back to relevance and contend for Manager of the Year honors in 2012.

Ozzie Guillen

Guillen will get the chance to start fresh with a team doing the same in 2012.

The Marlins are a young team searching for an identity, and Guillen has an innate ability with the media to create buzz around his team

If Guillen can be the leader that the Marlins are looking for and lead them to success on the diamond, he is a prime candidate to take home the honor this year.

Dale Sveum

Sveum takes over as the Cubs manager with the goal of ending Chicago's 103-year championship drought.

Sveum has his work cut out for him as the Cubs come into the season as a middle-of-the-pack team in the NL Central.

Should Sveum find a way to take the 'Cubbies to the promise land he would have a very good chance of winning Manager of the Year.

Mike Scioscia

Scioscia could take home the honor in 2012.

The Angels are a good team and Scioscia is a great manager who is likely to take advantage of his talented roster.

The Angels will win a large number of games and are one of my picks to have the best record in the American League.

That would make Scioscia's case for the award a strong one.

Dusty Baker

The Reds are looking to bounce back from a 79-83 season in 2011, which led to a third place finish in the NL Central.

Cincinati's manager Dusty Baker has a playoff-caliber roster that underperformed a season ago. The potential for an additional 10-15 wins is realistic for this club.

Baker has an opportunity to do win Manager of the Year honors in 2012 if he can coach the Reds to the playoffs.

Joe Maddon

His player friendly managerial style has worked for the Tampa Bay Rays, who always find a way to keep their name in playoff discussions.

Maddon won the award a season ago after leading the Rays to a 91-71 record in the AL East.

The division is once again the strongest in baseball and  the stage is set for Maddon to lead his team to the playoffs against all odds, again.

Do not be surprised to see Maddon and the Rays in contention.