Award Race: August 2
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by user Timothy Moreland(Bball3345)
It has been about a month since I have updated the Award Race. (Note: These are who I would vote for, not who I think will actually win them). So, let's jump right in...
AL MVP
1. Derek Jeter
2. Joe Mauer
3. David Ortiz
Jeter has been one of the top hitters in the majors, while carrying a Yankees team filled with holes. Yes, even a team with a gazillion dollar payroll can have holes. With A-Rod having a down year at the plate, and the rotation outside of Mussina not scaring anyone, Jeter's performance stands head-and-shoulders above his teammates. With the additions of Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle, this Yankees team appears headed to yet another postseason performance.
By the way, Chris Shelton was the AL MVP in my first edition on April 16th. Now he is in AAA, replaced by Sean Casey at 1B for the Tigers. My, how times change.
NL MVP
5. Brandon Webb
6. Chase Utley
Albert Pujols garnered such a huge lead before he went down with injury, even Beltran's great season can't touch Pujols' insane .322/.436/.697 line. Both players play Gold-Glove caliber defense, but the edge goes to the centerfielder on that one. If Pujols remains hampered by injuries or misses more time, this award becomes Beltran's to lose. This will be a two-man race until the very end.
- I had to throw in Utley, because he deserves to be mentioned. In my NL All Star preview, I failed to include Utley on the team, which I still believe was the right decision at the time. However, he has done everything humanly possible since then to prove me wrong. At this point, I would rank Utley among the top ten most valuable bats in the Major Leagues. Not only does Utley appear to be a lock for next year's All-Star game, I will more than likely be replacing Marcus Giles with Utley on next year's NL Team of the Future.
AL Cy Young
5. Roy Halladay
Santana has managed to hold off the surging rookies to keep the title of "Best Pitcher in the American League." As the workload increases, the veteran Santana holds an advantage over the young guns. Liriano gets downgraded slightly for his work in the pen. Still, if he keeps throwing gems until the end of the year, a case could easily be made he deserves the Cy Young. Papelbon has been far and away the best reliever in baseball this year, allowing only three runs the entire season. It looks as though the Rookie of the Year race will be very interesting, as three of these Cy Young candidates are rookies.
NL Cy Young
1. Brandon Webb
5. Roy Oswalt
In my June 28 Award Race, one user believed Webb was beginning a slump and would no longer deserve the Cy Young. This comment came following a 7-run outing by Webb. Since then, Webb has gone 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA. So much for that slump. The Diamondbacks' ace still deserves the Cy Young, and I expect him to still be on top come the end of the season. I enjoyed adding Chris Capuano to the Top 5 last edition, but he has fallen out of the top 5 and is now around the Top 15 or Top 20. Jason Schmidt has the strongest argument of anyone not on the following list.
AL Rookie of the Year
4. Jered Weaver
5. Joel Zumaya
Not a single offensive player on the list. A full season from Michael Napoli or a healthy Ian Kinsler could have challenged for the fifth spot, but these pitchers are near untouchable. Had Howie Kendrick, the starting secondbaseman for my AL Team of the Future, started the season as the Angels 2Bman, then he certainly would have challenged for the award. I have a hunch Verlander will get passed up by Liriano, soon. These five guys are going to help the American League remain the superior league for at least another decade or so.
NL Rookie of the Year
2. Dan Uggla
A 2.52 ERA in 16 starts and 7 relief appearances is not all that bad. Had he been putting up numbers like that in the Florida rotation since Opening Day, then we would be talking about a Cy Young candidate in addition to a runaway with Rookie of the Year. Teammates and double-play combo, Uggla and Ramirez, rank just behind him. Uggla brings great range at second and 16 home runs to the field, while Ramirez has stolen 30 bases for the young Marlins team.
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Date
Wed 08/02/06, 7:51 am EST
