Overview
- Neander accepted the Executive of the Year award Wednesday night at the MLB Awards in Las Vegas, becoming one of only two people to win the honor twice since 2018.
- Under his direction the Rays won an unexpected AL East title, posted the American League’s best regular-season record and captured the franchise’s third American League pennant before falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.
- Reporters credited a mix of low-profile signings and bold trades for the run, including midseason deadline deals to acquire Freddy Peralta, Liam Hicks and Tyler Wells plus offseason additions like Nick Martinez and Cam Booser.
- Neander’s rise from a four-month baseball-operations intern in January 2007 to president of baseball operations illustrates the Rays’ focus on promoting from within, and owners have publicly pledged to leave baseball decisions to Neander and manager Kevin Cash.
- The peer-voted honor highlights Tampa Bay’s model of using a deep farm system and creative roster moves to compete on a smaller payroll, and it could increase both the Rays’ leverage in future trades and the market for their coaches and executives.