2008 MLB End Of Season Awards

Here are my picks for this year’s awards in the 2008 MLB season. Feel free to argue with me if you disagree:

AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero

This year’s AL MVP race was one of the closest in recent memory. However, in the end, I believe Guerrero did more for his team than any of the other candidates.

NL MVP: Manny Ramirez

This may be among my most controversial picks on this list, since Manny spent the first half of the year on the Boston Red Sox. However, Manny put together mind boggling numbers with the Dodgers, batting .396 while hitting more home runs than many good players hit in a whole season. In addition, Manny came through in the clutch countless times, and his team certainly would not be the same without him. Furthermore, the next most eligible candidate for the award, Ryan Howard, hit only .251 on the season. To me, Manny Ramirez clearly deserves this award.

AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee

Cliff put together one of the most dominant seasons by a starting pitcher in history, even while playing for a mediocre team. He is the hands down winner of this award.

NL Cy Young: Tim Lincerum

Tim managed to accumulate 18 wins and lead the league in strikeouts on an absolutely horrendous team. On a playoff caliber team, it wouldn’t be unimaginable to say that Tim could’ve accumulated 30 wins.

AL Rookie Of The Year: Evan Longoria

Evan put together an All Star season as a rookie, and may already be the best player on the 1^st place Tampa Bay Rays team.

NL Rookie Of The Year: Geovanni Soto

As a rookie, Soto was already arguably the best catcher in baseball. He clearly deserves this award.

AL Reliever Of The Year: Francisco Rodriguez

While Mariano Rivera may have played a little better this season, K-Rod’s shattering of the record of the most saves in a single season can’t be ignored.

NL Reliever Of The Year: Brad Lidge

Simply stated, Brad was absolutely dominating this year, and was hands down the best closer in the National League.

AL Defensive Player Of The Year: Jose Molina

Beginning the season as a backup catcher, Jose stepped up when Posada went down with an injury, and went on to establish himself as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball.

NL Defensive Player Of The Year: Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins put together an absolutely spectacular defensive season playing shortstop for the Phillies.

AL Comeback Player Of The Year: Cliff Lee

Last year, Cliff Lee was sent down to the minor leagues. This year, the Cy Young award is as good as his. Enough said.

NL Comeback Player Of The Year: Carlos Delgado

Last year, Delgado put together a very mediocre year by his standards, and analysts and fans around baseball alike claimed that he was done. This year, he’s an MVP candidate. Brad Lidge won this award in reality, but I would give it to Delgado.

AL Gold Gloves:

Catcher: Jose Molina

Despite splitting playing time with Jorge Posada early in the season and Ivan Rodriguez later in the season, Jose Molina led the American League with 33 base- runners caught stealing while only allowing 42 stolen bases. In addition, Jose did an incredible job calling games and protecting the plate. Not only was Jose Molina the best defensive catcher in the league this year, but he may have been baseball’s best defensive player.

1^stBase: Mark Texeira

Mark is a perennial gold glover, and that certainly shouldn’t change with this year. Kevin Youkilis should be his only serious competition.

2^ndBase: Akinori Iwamura

Tampawas won of the best defensive team’s in baseball this year, and Iwamura is a large part of the reason why.

Shortstop: Michael Young

He may not get the attention he deserves, but Young put together another incredible defensive season.

3^rd Base: Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod only committed 10 errors this season in 334 total chances. He already has two gold gloves at shortstop, and he clearly deserves one this year at 3^rd base.

Outfield: B.J Upton

B.J accumulated 16 outfield assists while playing a very solid center field for the Rays.

Outfield: Grady Sizemore

Grady has the skills to be a perennial gold glove center fielder.

Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro has won this award every year since he has come to the Major Leagues, and that shouldn’t change this year.

Pitcher: Mike Mussina

He’s getting up there in age, but he still may be the best defensive pitcher in the Majors.

NL Gold Gloves:

Catcher: Jason Kendall

Kendall played a mind- boggling 149 games behind the plate while throwing out a league leading 41 base runners. His performance this year was simply incredible.

1^st Base:  Derek Lee

Derek has more range than almost anyone at the position.

 2^nd Base: Chase Utley

You typically think of Chase more for his bat than his glove, but he led the league in total chances at his position this year and put together a very solid defensive season.

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins

Rollins made only 7 errors in 593 total chances; a clear gold glove season by anyone’s standards.

3^rdBase: Kevin Kouzmanoff

Kevin lead major league 3^rd basemen with 416 total chances while committing only 11 errors.

Outfield: Aaron Rowand

There may not be anyone who plays the outfield with as much heart as Aaron.

Outfield: Nate McClouth

A breakout player this year, Nate put together his share of web gems this year while playing for the lowly Pirates.

Outfield: Hunter Pence

Hunter led the National League with 16 outfield assists while displaying an immaculate glove and outstanding range.

Pitcher: Johan Santana

Santana is simply a great defensive player, even as a pitcher.