Friday, October 30

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BOSTON -- Now that the World Series has ended in historic fashion, with the Brewers winning it all for the first time, baseball will soon shift into Awards Season mode.

And for the Red Sox, this should yield some hardware. On the strength of the team’s unprecedented climb back from 14 games under .500 to a spot in the postseason, Boston players are in the mix for hardware. And so, too, is manager Chad Tracy, who did a remarkable job regathering the team after the surprising dismissal of Alex Cora on April 25.

Here are awards that are of particular interest to Red Sox fans:

Gold Glove
The Red Sox have three finalists in third baseman Caleb Durbin, center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela and right fielder Wilyer Abreu. In fact, all three players probably go in as the favorites at those positions.

The announcement of winners will take place on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This would be Durbin’s first career Gold Glove Award in just his second Major League season. Durbin finished tied for the AL lead at his position in runs prevented (five) and outs above average (six).

For Abreu, this is a chance for a three-peat after he won Gold Gloves in each of his first two seasons. And it would be well deserved. According to The Fielding Bible, Abreu’s 28 defensive runs saved were tops in MLB.

Then there is Rafaela, who spent his summer racing down baseballs in the gaps or swooping in for spectacular diving catches. He is looking for his second Gold Glove Award, and second consecutive.

Rafaela’s 17 outs above average in ‘26 were surpassed only by brilliant Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (26). Per Statcast, Rafaela made 10 five-star catches (plays that had a 0-25 percent chance of being made), good for the best total in MLB.

Manager of the Year
The AL and NL Managers of the Year will be revealed on Nov. 10. Tracy stands a chance of being the first Red Sox manager to win this award since Jimy Williams in 1999. Will Venable (White Sox) and Kevin Cash (Rays) are also contenders. Behind Tracy, the Red Sox pulled off their best 30-game stretch in team history from July 3-Aug. 7, going 27-3. Many players credited his steady hand for the team’s amazing turnaround.

Rookie of the Year
While Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle and his 7.1 bWAR is going to be tough to beat, Payton Tolle stands a strong chance at being one of the three finalists. In 26 starts, the gregarious lefty went 9-6 with a 3.03 ERA while striking out 171 in 148 2/3 innings. He punched out 11 or more in three starts. He held opponents to a .222 average. The winner will be announced on Nov. 9.

All-MLB Awards 
The MLB Awards will be presented in Las Vegas on Nov. 11. There is a First and Second All-MLB Team, each consisting of one catcher, four infielders (1B, 2B, 3B, SS), three outfielders (regardless of left, center, or right), one designated hitter, five starting pitchers and two relief pitchers (32 total players across both teams). 

Willson Contreras could be in the mix for a spot at first base. Other Sox position players who could be in the running are Rafaela and Abreu. Starters Sonny Gray and Tolle could receive recognition for their excellence in the starting rotation, as could veteran closer Aroldis Chapman.

Silver Slugger
This award is given to the best hitter at each position in both leagues, and the winners will be revealed on Nov. 17. The Red Sox have one clear candidate in Contreras, who led all qualified candidates at his position with a .902 OPS while belting a career-high 27 homers in his first season for Boston. Contreras, who converted from catcher to first baseman two years ago, has never won a Silver Slugger Award.

Oct. 29: The day after the World Series, players who are eligible became free agents. Also, players may now be traded between clubs.

Nov. 2: Deadline for teams to make a qualifying offer to players; free agents can begin signing with any club.

Nov. 10-12: General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas.

Nov. 17 (4 p.m. ET): Deadline for players to accept a qualifying offer.

Nov. 20: Tender deadline. These are arbitration-eligible players who must be tendered a contract offer by this date, or they become free agents.

One of the most emotional moments in the aftermath of the Brewers clinching the World Series on Wednesday night was Contreras greeting his younger brother, William, who was named World Series MVP.

Willson shed his Red Sox jersey for one night and was wearing William’s No. 24 Brewers jersey. The brothers, who were teammates during Venezuela’s emotional win in the World Baseball Classic back in March, shared a lengthy embrace on the field, just beyond the stage.

“It means a lot. It means everything to me. My brother is my best friend,” William told FOX moments after the hug.

It was an eventful year for the brothers.

Though the Red Sox haven’t officially announced it yet, multiple sources told MLB.com that longtime Astros coach Jason Bell will be joining Tracy’s coaching staff with the Red Sox. One of Bell’s main responsibilities will be outfield instructor.

The team is still ironing out what his other responsibilities will be. The Red Sox are still in the market for a third-base coach and a first-base coach. Bell was a Major League field coordinator for the Astros.

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