At the beginning of every season, we like to make some predictions mainly so you can look back a few months later and laugh.
Seriously, look at those American League MVP candidates. Among myself, Tim Brown and Mark Pesavento, the best we could do were Travis Hafner, Paul Konerko, Joe Mauer, Hideki Matsui, Michael Young and Jermaine Dye?
Since someone slipped us a mickey for those picks, please disregard them and pay attention instead to my revised picks of the major awards for the season so far – and the season that remains.
AL MVP
Midseason: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees – I'm of the school that translates MVP literally: most valuable player to his team. Without Rodriguez, the Yankees would be an awful team. To have kept them mediocre is a feat in and of itself.
End of season: Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels – Surely A-Rod has shown he can keep up his numbers. But end-of-season value also includes team finish, and with the Yankees damned to a winter of discontent, Guerrero ably fills the criteria – huge bat in an otherwise-meekish lineup – on an excellent team.
NL MVP
Midseason: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers – Leads the NL in home runs and slugging percentage, ranks second in RBIs and while the Brewers could function without him, absolutely no one can match his numbers.
End of season: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies – So, is it wishful thinking that the Phillies, now only 4½ games back in the NL East, mobilize with a makeshift pitching staff and ride their stalwart second baseman to an improbable division title? Yeah. But Utley's so good, he's worth a hitching of hope.
AL Cy Young
Midseason: Dan Haren, Oakland Athletics – He has been great. Awesome earned-run average. So difficult to hit. Blah, blah, blah. Let's get to the point.
End of season: Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins – He's going to win his second straight. (And it should be his fourth, because he was so much better than Bartolo Colon and Mariano Rivera in 2005, it's silly.) His 2.75 ERA is the best of his career entering the All-Star break, and over the last three years, Santana is 32-3 with a 1.78 ERA post-break.
NL Cy Young
Midseason: Chris Young and Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres – Too close to call. Young is 8-3, Peavy 9-3. Young's ERA is 2.00, Peavy's 2.19. Both have allowed seven more baserunners than innings pitched. Peavy has more strikeouts. Young has a better batting average against. Hey, since they're teammates, they might split the vote anyway.
End of season: Young – He won a best-of-seven coin flip.
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Seriously, look at those American League MVP candidates. Among myself, Tim Brown and Mark Pesavento, the best we could do were Travis Hafner, Paul Konerko, Joe Mauer, Hideki Matsui, Michael Young and Jermaine Dye?
Since someone slipped us a mickey for those picks, please disregard them and pay attention instead to my revised picks of the major awards for the season so far – and the season that remains.
AL MVP
Midseason: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees – I'm of the school that translates MVP literally: most valuable player to his team. Without Rodriguez, the Yankees would be an awful team. To have kept them mediocre is a feat in and of itself.
End of season: Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels – Surely A-Rod has shown he can keep up his numbers. But end-of-season value also includes team finish, and with the Yankees damned to a winter of discontent, Guerrero ably fills the criteria – huge bat in an otherwise-meekish lineup – on an excellent team.
NL MVP
Midseason: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers – Leads the NL in home runs and slugging percentage, ranks second in RBIs and while the Brewers could function without him, absolutely no one can match his numbers.
End of season: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies – So, is it wishful thinking that the Phillies, now only 4½ games back in the NL East, mobilize with a makeshift pitching staff and ride their stalwart second baseman to an improbable division title? Yeah. But Utley's so good, he's worth a hitching of hope.
AL Cy Young
Midseason: Dan Haren, Oakland Athletics – He has been great. Awesome earned-run average. So difficult to hit. Blah, blah, blah. Let's get to the point.
End of season: Johan Santana, Minnesota Twins – He's going to win his second straight. (And it should be his fourth, because he was so much better than Bartolo Colon and Mariano Rivera in 2005, it's silly.) His 2.75 ERA is the best of his career entering the All-Star break, and over the last three years, Santana is 32-3 with a 1.78 ERA post-break.
NL Cy Young
Midseason: Chris Young and Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres – Too close to call. Young is 8-3, Peavy 9-3. Young's ERA is 2.00, Peavy's 2.19. Both have allowed seven more baserunners than innings pitched. Peavy has more strikeouts. Young has a better batting average against. Hey, since they're teammates, they might split the vote anyway.
End of season: Young – He won a best-of-seven coin flip.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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