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.
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5 months ago
I wholeheartedly agree on Gagne, although Andruw Jones looks like he's gonna be right in there with him.
Wasn't Ankiel's surprise year last year?
Yost--I agree they're under the radar, I don't know if that will be enough. Arizona's looking like their manager's better right now.
Fukudome's the safe pick; don't rule out Colby Rasmus if he comes up soon.
Wagner's as good a choice as anyone but you gotta figure if Wood stays healthy he's the sentimental pick.
Most Cy Young winner's don't repeat unless they're absolutely dominant--and Peavy isn't quite there.
Pujols' injuries are enough of a red flag that I'd take someone else--probably Chase Utley.
But overall, good picks.
5 months ago
Nathaniel,
You're absolutely right about Andruw Jones. Jones and Gagne will be fighting for the title of biggest disappointment all season.
Ankiel las year was more of a sentimental story because of the adversity that he dealt with. I think that this year, he will have a great season and make people realize that he is a very talented outfielder.
Since Rasmus isn't in the Major Leagues just yet, and there's no sign of him being promoted just yet. If Rasmus comes up, I could see him struggling for part of the season, like Justin Upton did last season, and then hitting really well towards the end of the season. However, that would still leave him behind Fukudome.
The biggest question involving Kerry Wood is health. But you're right about Wood. I could see him having a good year out of the bullpen for the Cubs, and receiving votes for Reliever of the Years. For right now though, I'll take Billy Wagner.
I believe that Peavy is that dominant. He has posted a sub-3.00 E.R.A. in 3 of the last 4 seasons and is on his way to doing it again. He has also been at the top of the league in strikeouts over the past 3 seasons and has thrown over 200 innings over the last 3 years as well. If that's not dominance, then I don't know what is.
Chase Utley is off to a great start but, will he be able to keep it up over the course of the season? I think that Pujols is the best player in the National League and that's why I made him my MVP.
Thanks for your feedback.
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