Saturday, February 27, 2010

Thoughts on End of Season Awards

End of the season awards are always the toughest to predict. Individual performance varies from year to year, and there's often a correlation between the awards and the success of the team. So most of these will be shots in the dark.

AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez - this guy is ridiculous, his performance last year would win a Cy Young nearly any other year this decade. But Zack Greinke went all late 90's Pedro Martinez on the AL. And Felix still almost won it anyhow. Chances on repeating 2009's success? I personally like Felix's better.

AL MVP - Evan Longoria - This is usually the toughest to predict. Hell, Pedroia won one when the BoSox won the division. I want to go with a player from the team with best record, which I think will be the Red Sox, but the candidate for that team with a legitimate shot I think is Kevin Youkilis, and my gut feels that isn't right. I don't see a candidate on the other two division winners, but my projected wildcard winner has Evan Longoria, who's a true superstar who shouldn't have trouble gathering votes.

NL Cy Young - Johan Santana - The Mets are going to be a media hit for their comeback this year, and Johan Santana is going to put up a Cy Young season and he's going to win the award he should have won two years ago.

NL MVP - David Wright - The same line of thinking. Wright's going to have a comeback year and also win an award he should have won a few years back. If the Mets or Wright falter, look for Pujols to win again.

AL Rookie of the Year - Brett Wallace - I don't like doubting Billy Beane when he clearly likes a player.

NL Rookie of the Year - Stephen Strasburg - He'll be up by June 1st and he's going to show everyone what the hype is all about.

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