American League Manager of the Year
The finalists include John Farrell, who took the Boston Red Sox from worst to first, Terry Francona who revived a flailing Cleveland franchise, and Bob Melvin who lead the Athletics to a second straight division title. The winning manager is often one who exceeded expectations for his club. Based on this criteria, I don't foresee Melvin taking home the hardware. The competition is between two friends who both won the World Series in their first year managing the Red Sox. The turnaround that Farrell conducted in Boston is even more impressive, which will lead to him winning the award and capping a great first season in Boston.
National League Manager of the Year
Finalists: Clint Hurdle, Pirates; Don Mattingly, Dodgers; Fredi Gonzalez, Braves. Again, we can almost exclude Gonzalez from the picture, as his Braves squad was one that was expected to contend entering the season. Though perhaps you could say the same for the other two managers, each faced their own quarrels in reaching the playoffs. The Pirates had endured two decades of losing seasons, and Clint Hurdle was the man to finally put an end to it. Of course, he had some help with a good squad lead by a possible MVP winner. Regardless, the job that Hurdle did won't be forgotten in Pittsburgh any time soon. Mattingly was facing possible exile halfway through the year, but managed to rile up his club to go on a massive surge, turning around the season and finishing in 1st place. Hurdle is the leading candidate and should win this award.
American League Rookie of the Year
Finalists: Wil Myers, Rays; Jose Iglesias, Tigers; Chris Archer, Rays. It's no surprise to see two Tampa Bay players on this list. It seems that they have a never ending supply of young and upcoming talent through their minor leagues. Though Archer had a quietly great season, posting an ERA of 3.22, Myers was the superb Tampa Bay rookie this year. Myers rocked the American League for a little more than half a season, but showed the ability to hit the ball and get on base. Iglesias had an uncharacteristically good first half hitting the ball, but finally dropped back to Earth in the 2nd half of the season. Overall, his batting numbers look pretty good, but really it is his defense that makes him so special. While we will see some highlight reel plays from Iglesias for years to come, we will never see AL Rookie of the Year on his resume. Wil Myers wins this award.
National League Rookie of the Year
Finalists: Jose Fernandez, Marlins; Yasiel Puig, Dodgers; Shelby Miller, Cardinals. It was an impressive crop of youngsters in the senior circuit in 2013. In any other year, they could all be possible winners. Fernandez and Puig definitely set themselves apart from Miller though. Miller was a very solid pitcher, but Fernandez and Puig were amazingly good, especially for first timers. Fernandez posted a 2.19 ERA, and also had an impressive 9.75 K/9 IP. Either of the two could realistically place 1st in the voting. My prediction is that Fernandez takes the top honor.
American League Cy Young
Finalists: Max Scherzer, Tigers; Yu Darvish, Rangers; Hikashi Iwakuma, Mariners. This is one race that won't be very contested. Scherzer has looked like a Cy young winner virtually all season long. Darvish was overpowering for most of the year, but fought bouts of inconsistency, and ultimately didn't post Cy young caliber numbers across the board. Iwakuma is name one wouldn't expect on this list. The Mariners hurler is a control pitched who had a career year, and is a long shot to win. Scherzer will win this crown.
National League Cy Young
Finalists: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Adam Wainwright, Cardinals; Jose Fernandez, Marlins. Both leagues had one pitcher this season that just truely dominated. Kershaw was that guy in the National League. Anytime someone puts up a sub-2.00 ERA, it's amazing. Kershaw was nothing less than that in 2013, and has solidified himself as the best pitcher in the league. Wainwright proved to be the consistent thrower he is, logging an impressive 241.2 innings and helping lead the Cardinals to their 2nd World Series in 3 years. Fernandez was covered earlier in the rookie section. For him to be a finalist in this category speaks to just how special of a rookie campaign he had. The verdict here: Kershaw wins his 2nd Cy young award.
American League MVP
Finalists: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers; Chris Davis, Orioles; Mike Trout, Angels. Last year brought us the Cabrera vs Trout debate, in which proponents of new school stats felt like Trout was more worthy of MVP despite Cabrera winning the triple crown. This year Trout was even better, with a WAR that measured 10.4, and he increased his OBP over 30 points to an impressive .432. Thrown into the mix this year is Davis who had one of the better power displays in years. Davis paced the AL with 53 HR's and 138 RBI. Cabrera takes the cake however as he not only had an equally impressive season statistically, he is the only player of the 3 to lead his team to the playoffs.
National League MVP
Finalists: Yadier Molina, Cardinals; Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks; Andrew Mccutchen, Pirates. This race could be a true test of the old thought that a player must be on a playoff team in order to be MVP. Each of these guys had good seasons. The difference is Mccutchen is the best player on a Pirate team that had a historic year, and Molina is the leader on a very good Cardinals ball club. Goldschmidt is stuck on the sub par Diamondbacks. Listen to the following stats and tell me they aren't MVP numbers:
.551 slugging (1st in NL), .401 OBP (4th), .951 OPS (1st), 103 runs (3rd), 332 total bases (1st), 36 HR (1st), 125 RBI (1st). The fact that Goldschmidt has also already been awarded the silver slugger and gold glove further shows his all around ability. I'd like to see him add an MVP trophy to his expanding collection.
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