Awards Predictions 2009

Best player in baseball. If he was ever found to be using steroids (which I doubt, but unfortunately, we always have to ask), it would ruin baseball.

After giving you how each division will play out (yes, will), I figure I would give you the equally pointless predictions on who will win some of the major awards this upcoming season, and why I like them. Tomorrow, this charade will end when I give you my playoff predictions, and yes, when none of this works out, I will give more predictions on the playoffs when October rolls around. Just get over it and read it anyway because you like me.

NL MVP --> Albert Pujols
He should be penciled in here until otherwise noted that his skills are diminishing. As of right now, there's no debate who the best player in baseball is, and the scary thing is that he's just as good defensively as offensively. When defense is properly weighted into this decision, he will not lose. Other guys to keep an eye on because award voters can't see the light: Ryan Howard (lots of HR and RBI again with a better BA), Chase Utley (because he's better than Howard), and Manny Ramirez (because we'll focus on him so much).

AL MVP --> BJ Upton
Big year if that shoulder is healthy. I see a 30-30 season from him while hitting over .300 with a near or just over .400 OBP that includes him playing good defense in center. Grady Sizemore will have an impressive season as well, but Upton edges him in BA and OBP. Other guys to note: Carlos Quentin (who would have won last season if he hadn't broken his hand), Joe Mauer (because he's that good and the defense thing I mentioned above), and Mark Teixeira (when he hits in those final months to, going against my prediction, bring the Yankees back, they award winners will see there is no one else to give it to, ignoring his first month and half).

NL Cy Young --> Brandon Webb
The ERA lowers while still winning 20 games, and he's a University of Kentucky product. I imagine Lincecum will regress ever so slightly, but he'll be in the conversation if healthy. Johan Santana will be there, but if the Mets fall out of the race, there will be too much bad press in New York. Other guys to note: Cole Hamels (if healthy, he rides the wave of his dominating Fall '08), Yovani Gallardo (if healthy, he just dominates), and Rich Harden (who puts it together in contract year).

AL Cy Young --> CC Sabathia
In the bright lights, he comes through with 21 wins and a tiny ERA opening that new coliseum. If he performs, his stature will be the only thing left standing in the Cy Young race. Others to note: Roy Halladay (who won't get it because the Blue Jays are otherwise pitiful), Scott Kazmir (who returns to form and becomes their ace again), and Josh Beckett (who is lost among Lester and Matsuzaka but comes through in a big way).

NL Rookie of the Year --> Pablo Sandoval
I think Zimmerman will deserve it by season's end, but Sandoval already has the press. When he seems to valiantly hold up the Giant offense, he wins the award over Zimmerman, who valiantly holds up the Nationals rotation until Strasburg steals the spotlight. Others to note: Stephen Strasburg (what? you don't think he'll be under consideration if they can get him into the rotation by July? that happens, and the press goes nuts), Colby Rasmus (if he gets time to play, he should do just fine), and Jordan Schafer (looked good in Spring Training, but it remains to be seen if he was just the best selection from a lacking group).

AL Rookie of the Year --> Matt Wieters
He has all the publicity and should be up by mid-May. When he gets here, he surprises everyone by nearing PECOTA's projection. When that happens, no one has a chance. Others to note: David Price (like Wieters, he should be up by mid-May, but Wieters has a better chance of putting up star numbers this season), Brett Gardner (when the Yankees succeed and he performs over expectations, he grabs the title when the big names falter), and Matt LaPorta (because the Indians will scrap Hafner, right?).