The Weekend Buzz while you were counting the regular season's final outs, stocking up early on Halloween candy (Snickers yes, Three Musketeers no) and debating the postseason awards (hint: for the correct answers, keep reading) ...
AL MVP
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| Since the 'he's not on a contending team' excuse is moot, Joe Mauer is easily the AL MVP. (AP) |
2. Mark Teixeira, Yankees. Looks like this Tex in New York thing (multidimensional threat, athletic, glove made of gold and not iron) will work out a little better than the Jason Giambi in New York thing.
3. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox. Is to OPS what Al Gore is to global warming.
4. Derek Jeter, Yankees. Just when we were ready to jump off the Jeter bandwagon, he sucks us back in with one of the best years of his career.
5. Kendry Morales, Angels. So the Angels were the only ones who thought replacing Teixeira with this guy wouldn't be akin to swapping the Disneyland Matterhorn for Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. The Angels were right -- this emerging star even outranked Teixeira in slugging percentage on the season's final weekend.
6. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees. Teixeira and the Yankees both took off when he joined the lineup after his hip healed.
7. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers. Quietly, the transmission of the Tigers lineup. But too quiet down the stretch to rank higher than seventh.
8. Jason Bay, Red Sox. Manny who?
9. Michael Young, Rangers. For what he does on the field and off (shortstop Elvis Andrus shoving him over to third could have been really ugly). The guy is a pro, and look what happened to the Rangers in September once Young injured his hamstring.
10. Ben Zobrist, Rays. Meet Zo-rilla, new monster from Tampa Bay.
Thanks for playing: Chone Figgins, Angels; Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners; Bobby Abreu, Angels; Adam Lind, Blue Jays; Aaron Hill, Blue Jays; Justin Morneau, Twins; Evan Longoria, Rays. And if there was any justice in the world, Kansas City's Zack Greinke would get some MVP votes.
NL MVP
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals. Superman without the cape. If Pujols' MVP is not unanimous, there should be an investigation.
2. Prince Fielder, Brewers. Second in the NL in OPS, first in creating wacky Milwaukee home run stylings.
3. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins. We know he does it all, from reaching base (first in batting average, fourth in on-base percentage) to driving home runners (tied for sixth in RBI) to improving defensively. Now, about teammate Dan Uggla calling him out for not being a gamer: Tough to hang that tag on Ramirez when he has now played in 150 or more games in four consecutive seasons.
4. Ryan Howard, Phillies. Ranking the Phillies' individual MVP candidates is a little like choosing one cheesesteak joint over the next in Philadelphia. But Howard led the majors in RBI.
5. Chase Utley, Phillies. Perfect for both the heart of a World Series contender and a Tide commercial.
6. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies. Slow start, but his 27 homers since June 8 tied for fifth-most in the NL, and his 55 RBI since the All-Star break tied for third in the NL. Since moving to cleanup slot in lineup, the Rockies' field leader has really taken off.
7. Matt Holliday, Cardinals. Just think what he and St. Louis would have done had he worn a Cardinals' uniform all season. Clinched the NL Central by June 1?
8. Andre Ethier, Dodgers. Led the majors with five walk-off hits.
9. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals. Produced runs, scored runs, played Gold Glove defense ... one of the few reasons to buy a ticket to see the Nationals this year.
10. Juan Pierre, Dodgers. I know there are several others who could have slotted in here (see next paragraph), but this guy deserves an MVP vote for two reasons: 1. He was lights out during Manny Ramirez's suspension and the Dodgers would not have kept rolling without him. 2. He was the consummate pro in handling things as a fourth outfielder this year, adding to the Dodgers' overall picture instead of subtracting from it.
Thanks for playing: Pablo Sandoval, Giants; Matt Kemp, Dodgers; Derrek Lee, Cubs; Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks; Adrian Gonzalez, Padres; Ryan Braun, Brewers; Jayson Werth, Phillies; Todd Helton, Rockies.
AL Cy Young
1. Zack Greinke, Royals. When Bob Gibson compiled a 1.12 ERA in 1968, they lowered the mound. Pitchers throughout the game now shudder at the thought of what baseball might do following Greinke's 2.16 ERA in a league with designated hitters and bandbox ballparks?
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners. None other than the Yankees' CC Sabathia nominated Hernandez for AL Cy Young, though Sabathia did qualify that by noting that he didn't see Greinke in person this year.
3. CC Sabathia, Yankees. Led the AL in wins, fourth in ERA, third in opponents' batting average (.232) ... barely out-ranks Detroit's Justin Verlander.
NL Cy Young
1. Tim Lincecum, Giants. There is no definitively correct answer, this race is so close. Conversely, there's no wrong answer. Too bad there can't be a three-way tie. Lincecum's 15 wins are not as many as Adam Wainwright (19) or Chris Carpenter (17), but he led the NL in strikeouts (261) and his .206 opponents batting average ranked second (to the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw). I like dominance in a Cy Young, and Lincecum overwhelmed opposing batters and nearly pitched an offensively challenged Giants team into the postseason.
2. Chris Carpenter, Cardinals. Not as many innings pitched (192 2/3) as Lincecum (225 1/3) or Wainwright (233), and not as many strikeouts (144, compared to Lincecum's 261 and Wainwright's 212). But an NL-leading 2.24 ERA and a second half during which he went 10-1 with a 2.06 ERA is Cy-worthy.
3. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals. Here's how close this thing is: In several rough-draft versions over the past 10 days, I had Wainwright listed first. I think his workload (NL-leading 233 innings pitched) combined with his other numbers could easily win him a Cy. Yet look who the Cardinals are expected to start in Game 1 against the Dodgers on Wednesday: Carpenter.
AL Manager of the Year
1. Mike Scioscia, Angels. Beautiful job in face of serious adversity and tragedy from the season's first week. Best job of his 10 years at the helm.
2. Ron Gardenhire, Twins. With Kevin Slowey sidelined for much of the season and the other assorted pitching injuries, how, exactly, were the Twins playing meaningful games until the end?
3. Don Wakamatsu, Mariners. From 101 losses a year ago to a winning record this year. Sensational job.
NL Manager of the Year
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| Jim Tracy is the only choice. Any questions? (Getty Images) |
2. Jim Tracy, Rockies. ... mountain ...
3. Jim Tracy, Rockies. ... high!
AL Rookie of the Year
1. Elvis Andrus, Texas. Everyday player at a key position on a team now emphasizing pitching and defense, and he helped keep the Rangers in contention. The road is littered with rookies in these spots who had to go back to the minors in June. Andrus has been terrific.
2. Gordon Beckham, White Sox. Forget Bend it like Beckham. Another couple of years and the real Beckham star will be on the South Side of Chicago.
3. Rick Porcello, Tigers. Edging Oakland closer Andrew Bailey, who was outstanding. But Porcello was a key starter for a contending club and you can't discount that.
NL Rookie of the Year
1. Chris Coghlan, Marlins. We're accustomed to watching good young players in Florida, but what Coghlan is doing is off the charts. He's the first rookie since Kirby Puckett in 1984 to bang out 150 or more hits in 130 or fewer games. His 110 hits since the All-Star break (into Sunday) are the most by any NL player since Juan Pierre (113 in 2004), and he is the first rookie ever to lead the NL in hits after the All-Star break.
2. J.A. Happ, Phillies. Just think of the happy marketing slogans the Phillies can concoct as this guy develops.
3. Tommy Hanson, Braves. The next great Atlanta pitcher in a lineage that, of course, includes Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz. ...
AL Executive of the Year
1. Brian Cashman, Yankees. How many times since 2000 have we "teased" the Yankees for money misspent? Well, this year they got it right. Cashman's stealth overnight flight to bag CC Sabathia during the winter meetings was masterful.
2. Jack Zduriencik, Mariners. See "Wakamatsu, Don" above. From 101 losses a year ago to a winning record in 2009. The Mariners are back on track.
3. Jon Daniels, Rangers. Not many clubs would have moved their heart and soul to a new position, but the Rangers did it with Michael Young in kicking off an emphasis to pitching and defense. It might even turn out better in Texas than that giant scoreboard in the new Cowboys stadium.
NL Executive of the Year
1. John Mozeliak, Cardinals. Matt Holliday? Mark DeRosa? John Smoltz? Right now, Mozeliak is shining more brightly than the St. Louis arch.
2. Ned Colletti, Dodgers. Nobody is more adept at acquiring midseason help on the cheap. He's already talking contract extension with owner Frank McCourt, who may sign Colletti up for the next 10 years given Colletti's special talent.
3. Dan O'Dowd, Rockies. Nice job of building a bullpen this year. And of installing Jim Tracy as manager.
30-second rewind
Memo to all who were so positive I would never acknowledge my preseason predictions: My, how you underestimate me. I do it every year. And oh my goodness, can it be painful -- especially this year:
AL East: Boston, Tampa Bay, Yankees, Toronto, Baltimore.
The Yankees third? This was my reasoning this spring: "That isn't a roll call in new Yankee Stadium, it's the local HMO checking insurance plans of key players who are aging." Great job foreseeing the current clash between Democrats and Republicans. Not so great in failing to anticipate Derek Jeter's standout year and Mariano Rivera's ageless grace.
AL Central: Cleveland, Minnesota, White Sox, Kansas City, Detroit.
Cleveland? Cleveland?!
AL West: Angels, Texas, Oakland, Seattle.
Little too much credit to Oakland, but reasonable.
AL wild card: Tampa Bay.
That tally again: Two playoff teams correctly forecast.
NL East: Philadelphia, Mets, Atlanta, Florida, Washington.
Annual spring traditions: Gooey odes to pitchers and catchers reporting, sunblock ... and overrating the Mets.
NL Central Cubs, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Houston, Pittsburgh.
Write 1,000 times on a blackboard for punishment: "Never underestimate Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan, never underestimate Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan. ... "
NL West: Dodgers, San Francisco, Arizona, Colorado, San Diego.
OK, in my defense: Everybody underestimated the Rockies.
NL Wild Card: Mets.
Well, they did fix their bullpen issues. ...
World Series: Cubs over Boston.
Ugh.
AL MVP: Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox. Hey, I've got him third on my postseason ballot.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals. Nailed it. Of course, not too difficult, huh?
AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke, Royals. My best pick yet.
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana, Mets. Not quite.
AL Rookie of the Year: Chris Getz, White Sox. Not a bad call. He was rolling along pretty good until a sports hernia knocked him out on Aug. 21. Getz at the time had converted on 25 of 27 stolen base attempts, an American League-best 92.6 percent.
NL Rookie: Jordan Schafer, Atlanta. Wrong.
AL Manager: Eric Wedge, Cleveland. Way wrong.
NL Manager: Jerry Manuel, Mets. Is "wrong-er" a word?
AL Most Disappointing Team: Yankees. OK, I'm making "wrong-er" a word."
NL Most Disappointing Team: Houston. Category should have been "NL Most Disappointing Team Other than the Cubs."
AL Surprise Player: Michael Cuddyer, Twins. Pretty good. He came back really strong from an injury-plagued 2008 to wallop 30-plus homers in '09.
NL Surprise Player: Jeff Francoeur, Braves. Surprising? Yeah, change "Braves" to "Mets" after his name. That's how surprising he was in Atlanta.
AL Disappointing Player: Derek Jeter, Yankees. Last time I ever doubt St. Jeter again. I swear.
NL Disappointing Player: Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals. This spring I wrote: "If he slams 37 home runs again, I will wear a Cardinals cap to World Series." He has 22. I won't be wearing a Cardinals cap to the World Series but, better yet for St. Louis fans, I may BE in St. Louis for the World Series.
Biggest name traded at July trading deadline: Jake Peavy. Yep, got it.
First manager fired: Cecil Cooper, Houston. Close. Technically, it was Washington's Manny Acta.
See ya in the playoffs.
