Seeing as it's election day, it's time to get in the voting spirit. (Of course, the baseball writers had to have these votes in back in September.) So with roughly a week remaining until the results are released for baseball's major postseason awards, let's make a few predictions:
Nov. 10: AL and NL Rookie of the Year
- AL contenders: Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox; Evan Longoria, Rays; Alexei Ramirez, White Sox. Pick: Longoria. Longoria (27 homers in 122 games) is the total package, and was perhaps the biggest reason the Rays won their first pennant.
- NL contenders: Jair Jurrjens, Braves; Geovany Soto, Cubs; Joey Votto, Reds. Pick: Soto. This is a slam dunk for the Cubs catcher, who hit .285 with 23 homers. He's perhaps the best young power-hitting catcher in the NL since Mike Piazza.
Nov. 11: NL Cy Young
- Contenders: Brad Lidge, Phillies; Tim Lincecum, Giants; CC Sabathia, Brewers; Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks. Pick: Lincecum. Webb faded a bit down the stretch. Last year's AL winner was Sabathia (11-2, 1.65 ERA in NL), who was fantastic, but pitched the first three months for Cleveland. Lidge (41-41 saves) would have done better if voting were done after the World Series. So that leaves Lincecum (18-5, 2.62), who was great for a bad team.
Nov. 12: AL and NL Manager of the Year
- AL winner: Joe Maddon, Rays. There's no argument. NL winner: Good question... It could go in any direction. Voting today, I'd go with Charlie Manuel of the Phillies. Before the playoffs, voters likely went with Lou Piniella of the Cubs. So I'd bet on Lou.
Nov. 13: AL Cy Young
- Contenders: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays; Cliff Lee, Indians; Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox; Francisco Rodriguez, Angels; Pick: Lee. Halladay (20-11, 2.78 ERA) had another great year, but it was done in relative anonymity in Toronto. Matsuzaka went 18-3, but isn't even considered the best pitcher on his team. It's harder for relievers to win Cy Young, so see below for K-Rod. So that leaves Lee (22-3, 2.54) and his incredible season while pitching for a .500 team. He'll make it two Cy Youngs in a row for Cleveland.
Nov. 17: NL Most Valuable Player
- Contenders: Ryan Braun, Brewers; Ryan Howard, Phillies; Chipper Jones, Braves; Albert Pujols, Cardinals. Pick: Pujols. Braun had a great second season for a playoff team, Howard led all the majors in homers and Jones won a batting title. The total package at the plate, however, is Pujols, who hit .357 with 37 homers and 116 RBI, who has finished in the top four of the voting in six of his first seven seasons, winning once (2005).
Nov. 18: AL Most Valuable Player
- Top contenders: Josh Hamilton, Rangers; Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox; Francisco Rodriguez, Angels; Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox; Pick: Rodriguez. Perdroia, last year's Rookie of the Year, had a banner second season (.326, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 54 doubles, 118 runs, 20 SB) for a team that advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Hamilton faded a bit in the second half. But with the lack of a top hitter, I'll go with K-Rod and his incredible 62 saves. MVP voters have gone with closers before when there's no clear favorite (Rollie Fingers in 1981, Willie Hernandez in 1984, Dennis Eckersley in 1992).
Comments
Rick Rush has a great baseball print of Pujols, based on his 2005 MVP (www.rickrushart.com).
Often, as a Royals fan I’m biased, but the fact that Mike Aviles isn’t even mentioned in this article indicates that nothing in this article should be taken even slightly seriously. Aviles had a higher VORP (value over replacement player) than the great Evan Longoria, was a top 5 defensive shortstop by many metrics and turned a terrible Royals team into a respectable one. To omit him is irresponsible reporting.
mm.. love it..