MLB Mid-Season Awards Thread

I figure we always do this; might as well do it again.

This goes for everything. AL/NL Cy Young, MVPs, Rookies, Comeback Players

I can't remember the others off the top of my head at the moment, but that's a start.

 

Fast, off the top of my head:
CYA: Lincecum/Greinke

MVP: Pujols/Mauer?
ROY: Morgan or McCutcheon?/not sure about AL

Comeback: Marquis/? not sure about AL

 

I'll echo Budcrew and add these:

AL ROY: Elvis Andrus
AL CPOY: Andruw Jones

NL Manager: Jim Tracy
AL Manager: Ron Washington

 

CY Young: Tim Lincecum/Zack Greinke
MVP: Albert Pujols/Joe Mauer?
ROY: Colby Rasmus or Andrew McCutchen/David Price or Rick Porcello
Comeback Player: ???

 

American League:

MVP - Joe Mauer, Twins
Cy Young -Zack Greinke, Royals
Manager of the Year - Ron Washington, Rangers
Comeback - Scott Rolen, Boo-Hays
Rookie - Nolan Reimold, Orioles (?)

National League:

MVP - Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young - Tim Lincecum, Giants
Manager of the Year -Bruce Bochy, Giants
Comeback - Jason Marquis, Rockies
Rookie - Pablo Sandoval, Giants (if he doesn't qualify, Colby Rasmus would be deserving, too)

 

Comeback: Aaron Hill?

 

American League:

MVP - Justin Morneau, Twins
Cy Young - Zack Greinke, Royals (Wouldn't be surprised if Felix Hernandez wins it)
Rookie - Elvis Andrus, Rangers
Comeback - Andruw Jones, Rangers
Manager of the Year - Ron Washington, Rangers


National League:

MVP - Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young - Dan Haren, D-backs
Rookie - Colby Rasmus, Cardinals (I like McCutchen over a full season)
Comeback - Todd Helton, Rockies
Manager of the Year - Joe Torre, Dodgers

 

NL
MVP - Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Cy Young - Dan Haren, Diamondbacks
Rookie - Colby Rasmus, Cardinals
Comeback - Todd Helton, Rockies
Manager - Bruce Bochy, Giants

AL
MVP - Torii Hunter, Angels
Cy Young - Zack Greinke, Royals
Rookie - Nolan Reimold, Orioles
Comeback - Andruw Jones, Rangers
Manager - Ron Washington, Rangers

I don't think this is how the awards will end up, but if you based it on what has happened in the first half this is how I'd go.

I thought about Morneau for MVP, but Mauer splits the vote and the Twins wouldn't make the playoffs if the season ended today. The Angels would and Hunter is a big reason why. He has had a monster first half, helping to carry the team through all the injuries early on.

Lincecum is amazing, but Haren has been even better. In fact, I think he has been the best pitcher in the game so far this season.

Bochy deserves some notice for what the Giants are doing. This team was not expected to contend and they are still offensively challenged, but right now they lead the way for the NL Wild Card.

 

Glad I'm not alone in picking Haren and Helton. (maybe it's a 'Burgh thing )

Haren's WHIP and walk numbers are fantastic and he's averaging about a strikeout per inning. Helton, meanwhile, has matched/is close to matching all of his 2008 season totals. Not bad for a 36-year-old.

 

I'd go a step further and include Hawpe in the MVP talks. Hawpe has already matched his 2008 total for doubles thus far this season and is batting well above .300.

 

Some people are going to miss Haren because his win total was relatively low until recently and the Diamondbacks suck, but he has been consistently dominant all season. It's probably more of a fantasy baseball thing for me. I have him on one of my teams, so I've been watching his results closely all season.

 

CY_
Haren's No. 1 on my ballot with Linecum No. 2. And can someone please tell me how Javier Vazquez, who would be a very deserving No. 3, at the very least in the discussion with Josh Johnson, is NOT on the All-Star team.
Zach Duke got picked today as a DL replacement. Nice year, but Vazquez is second in Ks (about 10 per 9 inns.) and has a whip just a shade over 1.00.
Off topic, but it proves that managers and players are actually no better than fans (if not worse) at picking all-star teams.

The rest:
MVP-Pujols
ROY-McCutchen or Rasmus.

AL

MVP-Mauer. Not close, by the way. Leads in slugging, on-base and the play he made against the Yanks, when he grabbed the tapper (on bunt, can't remember) out in front of the plate and raced back home to tag out Gardner was enough to earn him a Gold Glove. What a player.
CY _ Grienke
ROY _ Andrus (his D is big reason why the Rangers can pitch a lil).