AL Cy Young Award: CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees
He may not be as dominant as Felix Hernandez, but CC Sabathia is as durable and consistent as any hurler in the game. With the Yankees providing him some run support, he should pick up another 20-win season with solid Ks and an ERA near 3.00. Sabathia also enters the season in phenomenal shape, which has me thinking that the best has yet to come for the 30-year old southpaw.
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox
This is the most underrated hitter in baseball, who is bound to finally get his due now that he escapes Petco Park and joins a contending Red Sox lineup. I anticipate career highs across the board, including 40-plus home runs, 120-plus RBIs, and a .300-plus average. While the Red Sox struggled against the Rangers in the opening series, they will bounce back and the fact that the team will contend for the division has me thinking that Gonzalez earns the MVP award over perennial contender Miguel Cabrera.
AL Rookie of the Year: Kyle Drabek, SP, Blue Jays
Wherever Drabek pitches, he finds success. This was the case in the minor leagues, in spring training, and now in the big leagues. Drabek does not appear to be a dominant hurler, but he is gutsy and knows how to escape jams. He also has some solid run support behind him. A dozen or more wins with a solid ERA should provide this rookie with top honours in the American League. The question is whether the Blue Jays will shut him down based on innings late in the season.
NL Cy Young Award Winner: Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
Another ridiculously underrated performer, Kershaw joined Felix Hernandez as the only hurler younger than 25 years old with 200-plus strikeouts and a sub-3.00 ERA last season. This season, I see the 23-year old southpaw offering an ERA closer to 2.50, with a ton of strikeouts and upwards of 15 wins. He is the most fearsome southpaw to join the Dodgers since that Brooklyn kid dominated the majors in the 1960s: Sandy Koufax.
NL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies
Never mind the cold start; despite missing nearly a quarter of the season last year because of injuries, Tulowitzki was still amongst the few players discussed for the NL MVP Award. Just 26 years old, Tulowitzki is now intent on avoiding the injury bug so that he can reach his full potential. That potential may end up being Albert Pujols-type numbers coming from the shortstop position.
NL Rookie of the Year: Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants
In the minor leagues last season, Belt posted silly numbers, including a .352 average in his first season of professional baseball. Belt is one of the rare first basemen with 20-20 potential and a showcase of all five tools. Unlike Buster Posey last season, Belt will begin the season with the Giants. If he can merely offer 20 home runs with a .280 average and 80 RBIs, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award should be a walk in the park.
The Forecast:
AL East Boston Red Sox
Despite the slow start, the Red Sox will win the division title. They simply have the best combination of bats and arms in the AL East. Only an injury to Jonathan Lester can derail their season.
AL Central Chicago White Sox
The addition of Adam Dunn will prove to be the key signing, as he offers 40-plus home runs in the middle of an already solid lineup. Despite the hitter-friendly confines, the White Sox will win plenty of games because of one of the deepest rotations in baseball.
AL West Texas Rangers
They lack a true ace, but have more power than just about any team in the game. They should still have enough solid arms to take the division for a second straight season.
AL Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays
No, I’m not a Toronto homer; after all, I live in New York! However, I see the Blue Jays having greater pitching depth than the Yankees, and significantly better offence than the Rays. Competing in the AL East hurts, but 94 wins should do the job.
NL East Philadelphia Phillies
Similar to the Miami Heat, this will be a team that a lot of people will root against due to the embarrassment of riches. However, the Phillies offence can become a weakness. Even still, a doomsday scenario would require an injury to one of the big arms and a very leaky pen.
NL Central Cincinnati Reds
Travis Wood may evolve as the team’s ace, while Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Drew Sutton all have big seasons. It doesn’t hurt having a reliever in Aroldis Chapman who can reach 105 mph on his heater.
NL West Colorado Rockies
They will need some solid pitching, but I really like the combination of Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. Whether they will be able to hit on the road this season could determine how this team finishes.
NL Wild Card Atlanta Braves
The Braves are a very deep organization that has both veteran leadership and young talent. I like their bullpen and their starting rotation. They will need some offence from Chipper Jones to get by. I also expect the Mets to be peskier than usual, but at the end of the day, the Braves surpass the Giants for the Wild Card.
