MLB Preview - Award Winners

In my final post before the start of the '08 season, I am predicting who will win awards for their individual performance.

AL Cy Young - Fausto Carmona - after being overshadowed last season by C.C. Sabathia and not really "factoring in" to the final debate over CC or Josh Beckett, Fausto will get his chance to shine this year after he leads the Indians pitching staff into the postseason

NL Cy Young - Dan Haren - despite not being the "ace" of his staff, Haren's numbers the last several years have been amazing, and this year he moves to the NL, where his ERA will plummet and his stock will skyrocket

AL MVP - David Ortiz - after having his knees scoped to clean them out this offseason, Big Papi appears to be in prime condition and in a position to make another run at the AL MVP; he'll have no shortage of RBI opportunities this year, and as always, batting in front of Manny will help him even more

NL MVP - Mark Teixeira - call me crazy, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Big Tex go off this year, since it is a contract year and he's become acclimated to both Atlanta and the NL; he's a perennial gold glove candidate, and in the NL, that actually helps with MVP voting without the DH; it also helps that pitchers are starting to figure out Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, and probably will start to figure out Ryan Braun, and that Albert Pujols has a balky elbow

AL Comeback Player - Vernon Wells - it would be hard for a player to have a bigger swoon and still be considered an elite player, but if Vernon Wells returns to form this year after his labrum tear healed this offseason, he should easily win this award

NL Comeback Player - Bill Hall - Hall's misadventure in centerfield was charitably ended when Mike Cameron signed with the Brew Crew this offseason; as Ryan Braun adjusts to left field, the Brewers will lean on Billy to protect Prince Fielder, who will also have a down year, giving Hall more RBI opportunities, and eventually making him an elite hitter again

AL Rookie of the Year - Joba Chamberlain - yes, he's still a rookie, technically, and by the end of the season (or maybe a lot sooner) he'll be either in the rotation or the closer (my bet is the latter since Mo Rivera is getting older and Joba was a lights-out setup man last year) and his numbers will continue to amaze

NL Rookie of the Year - Cameron Maybin - the Detroit-Florida trade was probably the best thing to ever happen to Maybin, as he will actually have a chance to play in Florida, and will be a great complement to the other incredible youth in south Florida

AL Manager of the Year - John Gibbons, Toronto Blue Jays - the Jays may make the playoffs this year, if the Yankees fall apart as they seem to be capable of, and that is saying something in the AL East

NL Manager of the Year - Fredi Gonzalez, Florida Marlins - I like to think that managers who don't make the playoffs will still be rewarded for their great efforts in building a team or surviving a problem (Joe Girardi with the same Marlins two years ago), so I think that if the Fish are good enough to not finish last in their division this year, Gonzalez has a shot, especially if he convinces Cameron Maybin that he's as good as the hype (see above) and Hanley Ramirez even comes close to his fantasy potential

That does it for my pre-season predictions. As always, comments are welcome. Play Ball!!