Albert Pujols, Jake Peavy Headline Projected National League Award Winners

The National League had an offseason dominated by the trades of All-Star caliber players. 

The Marlins shipped off Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis (who were starting to cost them a lot of money) to the Tigers for a package of prospects headlined by Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. 

One of the most awaited departures, however, was Barry Bonds.  This offseason the Giants and every other Major League team declined to offer the home run king a contract.

The Mets, however, made the biggest splash this offseason by acquiring Johan Santana. He is one of the best pitchers in today's game. 

The National League will have a lot of competitive teams this season, and a few players will stand out in recognition of their individual achievements.  Here are my picks for these awards.

MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Pujols is the best player in the National League and he will prove it once again this season. 

Pujols will be one of the main reasons that the Cardinals will maintain respectability throughout the course of the season. 

A typical Pujols season (.330/35/120) should be enough to win him an MVP award.

Cy Young: Jake Peavy, Padres

Peavy is one of the best pitchers in the game. 

I believe he will hold off Johan Santana this season, as Santana adjusts to the National League teams. 

By being the ace of a team that will win its division, Peavy will be able to win the Cy Young Award.

Reliever of the Year: Billy Wagner, Mets 

At almost 37 years of age, Wagner still has the heat to get it done. 

The Mets are one of the National League's best teams, so he should be able to get plenty of save opportunities.  Wagner remains one of the NL's elite closers, and that will help him win the award.

Rookie of the Year: Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs 

The debate will continue over whether or not Japanese players should be eligible to win the Rookie of the Year Award. 

Fukudome will show why he was so coveted this past offseason. 

Since he is conditioned to the ups and downs of a professional season, he will not fade down the stretch like so many rookies do.  As a result, he will put up the best stats of any rookie and, justifiably, win the Rookie of the Year award.

Manager of the Year: Ned Yost, Brewers 

The Cubs have received so much publicity this offseason that people tend to forget how good the Brewers are. 

Yost will win the award after he pilots the Brewers to the NL Central crown.

Once again, these last two categories aren't actual awards but, they should be mentioned along with the other projections.

Surprise of the Season: Rick Ankiel, Cardinals 

Is there anything that Ankiel can't do? 

Oh wait, he can't pitch, which is why he is on this list. 

What Ankiel has done is remarkable.  He transformed himself from a can't-miss pitching prospect to a solid Major League-caliber outfielder.

He will surprise people this season, and will be the second biggest contributor in the Cardinals' lineup, behind the league MVP, Albert Pujols.

Disappointment of the Season: Eric Gagne, Brewers 

I was able to watch Gagne last season as a member of the Boston Red Sox.  Needless to say, I was not impressed, and he has done nothing to ease my worries this season, as shown by his three blown saves. 

Gagne will have Milwaukee looking for a closer by mid-season and will make it difficult for the Brewers to win the division.