Tagged: Rich Harden

Award Predictions: National League

Here are your national league award predictions.

MVP

Albert Pujols.  Albert has carried the Cardinals, just like he usually does. His great batting average, power, and defense make him by far the most valueable player in the NL. Some people think the MVP has to come from a playoff team, but when you look at the impact Pujols has had on the Cards, you have to pick him. Everyone who likes Carlos Delgado for MVP aren’t thinking straight. Remember when he should have been cut after an aweful two months. So, you’re saying that four good moths of Delgado is better than six of Albert? I don’t think so.

Cy Young

Johan Santana.  I know he didn’t have a Johan-type start to the season, but look at his numbers. An ERA in the 2.50 range. He has carried the Mets into the playoffs – not Delgado – and he could help them get far into the playoffs if they make it. He is, by far, the Cy Young for the national league.

Rooky of the Year 

Geovany Soto.  Like the other two picks, this one is very easy to me. Soto is by far the best rooky in the NL. He might even be the best catcher in the NL. I can’t think of any other good candidates for the job.

Manager of the Year

Jerry Manuel.  There aren’t many great choices for this award, but I think it’s got to be Jerry Manuel. Ever since the Mets fired Willy Randolf and promoted Manuel, they have been on fire and have a great chance at making the playoffs. Lou Pinella would have to be the choice if the Cubs win the world series, though.

General Manager of the Year

Jim Hendry.  He got steal, after steal, after steal this season. First, he signed Reed Johnson to a cheap, 1.3 million deal. Then, he added Jim Edmonds for around 0.25 million. After that, he finished it off by completley stealing Rich Harden away from the A’s. Rich could be the difference between a playoff exit and a world series. They also got a useful reliever in Chad Gaudin. They barely gave up anything, just a few spare parts and Sean Gallagher. He got hurt, anyway. I can’t think of a better GM in the game.

Award Predictions: National League

Here are your national league award predictions.

MVP

Albert Pujols.  Albert has carried the Cardinals, just like he usually does. his great batting average, power, and defense make him by far the most valueable player in the NL. Some people think the MVP has to come from a playoff team, but when you look at the impact Pujols has had on the Cards, you have to pick him. Everyone who likes Carlos Delgado for MVP aren’t thinking straight. Remember when he should have been cut after an aweful two months. So, you’re saying that four good moths of Delgado is better than six of Albert? I don’t think so.

Cy Young

Johan Santana.  I know he didn’t have a Johan-type start to the season, but look at his numbers. An ERA in the 2.50 range. He has carried the Mets into the playoffs – not Delgado – and he could help them get far into the playoffs if they make it. He is, by far, the Cy Young for the national league.

Rooky of the Year 

Geovany Soto.  Like the other two picks, this one is very easy to me. Soto is by far the best rooky in the NL. He might even be the best catcher in the NL. I can’t think of any other good candidates for the job.

Manager of the Year

Jerry Manuel.  There aren’t many great choices for this award, but I think it’s got to be Jerry Manuel. Ever since the Mets fired Willy Randolf and promoted Manuel, they have been on fire and have a great chance at making the playoffs. Lou Pinella would have to be the choice if the Cubs win the world series, though.

General Manager of the Year

Jim Hendry.  He got steal, after steal, after steal this season. First, he signed Reed Johnson to a cheap, 1.3 million deal. Then, he added Jim Edmonds for around 0.25 million. After that, he finished it off by completley stealing Rich Harden away from the A’s. He could be the difference between a playoff exit and a world series. They also got a useful reliever in Chad Gaudin. They barely gave up anything, just a few spare parts and Sean Gallagher. He got hurt, anyway. I can’t think of a better GM in the game.

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Offseason Plan: Oakland A’s

The staked farm system Oakland A’s will continue to build a young, good farm in 2009. They have arguably the best prospects in the MLB. (them and the Rays are very close) They don’t have as many trade chips, anymore. They can shop Justin Duchscherer and Huston Street. The latter is less likely. It would be a huge sell low move, something Billy Beane wouldn’t do unless he didn’t think Street would get better. With his previous success, it makes more sense to wait untill he raises his value. Doosh, however, would make a lot of sense. There is not a lot of pitching avalable via trade, and he is at peak value. This could be a lot like the Rich Harden trade. Trading a pitcher at his peak value that is also injury prone. There should be a huge market for him. They need to continue spending high in the draft, and have a lot of money freed up. It has been suggested that they sign a big bat to help them compete in ’10. I don’t hate this idea, but it would be smarter to sign a bat next offseason. They could sign a veteran to a short term deal, like resigning Frank Thomas, to add leadership. I could see them trading young pitching for a young hitter at shortstop or third base, but that’s it. If the Rockies plan on competing in ’09, I could see them making Ian Stewart avalable. Maybe a guy like Brett Anderson or Gio Gonzalez could get a deal done. If they Angels weren’t in their division, I could see a trade for Brandon Wood. This team has a great future, and have the pieces to compete as soon as 2010.

MLB Predictions: September

Today is the first, so it’s prediction time. I will highlight my changes in red.

AL East

Rays.  This is not going to change. This team just keeps on winning despite losing Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford to injuries. The Red Sox have been bit by the injury bug, too, and have not fared nearly as well. Right now, they sit 5.5 games behind the Rays in the division and are struggling to hold onto the wild card.

AL Central

White Sox.  I’m not changing here. Even with the Twins adding Francisco Liriano they aren’t better than the White Sox. The White Sox have the far better hitting than the Twins, as well as a better bullpen. So the slight advantage the Twins have in starting pitching doesn’t make up for the White Sox’ offense.

AL West

Angels.  This is still the easiest pick. The second place Rangers elimination number is 9. They have lost the “best team in the MLB” tag, however. They play in the second worst division, and don’t have the dominant top 3 that you need in the playoffs. The still might get to the World Series, but probably won’t win it.

AL Wild Card

Red Sox.  They’ll still make the playoffs. There pitching will eventually get healthy, and they have a way better offense than the Twins. The Red Sox and White Sox are almost the same in my mind. The Red Sox with a little better starting pitching when healthy, the White Sox with a better bullpen. And they’re both better than the Twins. By the way, the Yankees have no chance. I am so glad there will be a post season without the Yankees in it.

NL East

Phillies.  This one is the tougest I have chosen thus far. I was wrong about the Mets and Marlins. I thought the Mets would fade and the Marlins had a good chance at the division. Now the Marlins have faded and are out of the race, while the Mets have surged and taken over first place in the division. I still like the Phillies in the race over the Mets, though, becasue they got Brett Myers to be the old Brett Myers. His resurgence gives both teams about an even rotation. They both have similar offenses. The bullpen is what separates the Phillies from the Mets. The Mets still don’t have a closer, and even though the Phillies bullpen has struggled as of late, they still are far superior to the Mets.

NL Central

Cubs.  Is there any way they don’t win this division? They are only 4.5 games over the Brewers, but have played awesome. This is now not only the best team in the NL, but the best team in the MLB. They have the best playoff rotation of Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden,  Ryan Dempster. They have a great bullpen, and the best lineup. This team, gulp, is the favorites to win the world series in my mind.

NL West

Diamond Backs. This is my only change. The D’Backs are just a better team than the Dodgers, with Manny Ramirez or not. They still have the better starting pitching, and the Dodgers still have the better bullpen. I said in last month’s predictions that the Dodgers have a better offense. Over the last month, the D’Backs were fifth in the NL in runs scored, while the Dodgers were tenth. Adam Dunn has helped their lineup out a ton. The younger players have started to hit as well. This team might even get somewhere in the post season. They have arguable the best 1-2 punch of playoff contenders and a solid bullpen.