Early NL Award Picks

Although the MLB season is not over and in fact has some of its most exciting games sure to come in September and October, it is never too early to debate the best of this season.NL MVP

Who should win it: Albert Pujols

Pujols has put together an incredible season: .327/43 HR/107 RBI/1.077 OPS.  Pujols has also been above average with his glove, with a .994 fielding percentage in this his first full year at first base.  The Cardinals’ success this year can be attributed in a large part to him and his contributions both offensively and defensively.

Who will win it:  Barry Bonds

It’s hard to argue with numbers, since the numbers don’t lie.  Barry is hitting .374 with 40 HR and 93 RBI with an absurd .611 OBP and an even more offending 1.443 OPS.  The level at which Barry Bonds alters the play of the game is incredible.  Whenever San Francisco comes to town, you can bet that the opposing coaching staff is thinking about what to do with Barry.  He fills the stands at Pac Bell and has literally carried his team to the brink of a playoff berth.  The only knock on Barry is that his team isn’t a lock for the playoffs by any means yet.  While he definitely has the biggest impact on the game of any other player, his team’s success should be the true measure of his success.  Only time will tell.

Runners-up:  Adrian Beltre, Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen

Who should win it:  Randy Johnson

While Johnson’s team has let him down in a big way this year, Randy has still proven that he is one of the most dominant pitchers in the game today.  With 249 K’s, a league-leading 2.80 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and an opposing batting average of .192, most of Johnson’s numbers scream Cy Young.  There is, however, one number that screams otherwise: the 13 in the losses column.  While it is not all his fault, the fact remains that Randy Johnson has a losing record (12-13), and this will cost him in the end.

Who will win it:  Jason Schmidt

He may not be at the top of all lists, but Schmidt has put together another stellar year (15-6/3.19 ERA/215 SO/.205 BAA).  Schmidt has been the other reason the Giants are in the playoff hunt and has done nothing short of carry the otherwise average pitching staff.    Schmidt’s biggest problem has been his slide since returning from his injury.  His last 3 starts have not been impressive and this award may be in danger if he cannot return to his earlier form.

Runners-up: Carl Pavano, Carlos Zambrano, Roger Clemens, Ben Sheets

Who should win it: Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox has had yet another successful year with the Braves.  Atlanta appears to be well on its way to an unprecedented 13th straight division title.  The amazing thing about this run: Bobby Cox has only 1 managerial award to show for it (1991).  The Braves have been the model of consistency, even in a year when they were picked to finish no higher than second in the division and very few expected them to make another run into the playoffs.  Obviously, the biggest hole in Cox’s career is the lack of postseason success.  But there’s definitely something to be said when, during the first half of the year, when Chipper Jones was barely above the Mendoza line, when Marcus Giles was benched with a broken collarbone, when Andruw Jones looked like he might not get 20 HR this season, the team with third place talent held together and stayed in the race until they exploded into first place.

Who will win it: Tony La Russa

Although the majority of St. Louis’s success can be attributed to the great talent on the team, we have to remember that the Cardinals were originally picked to finish in the middle of the division.  Question marks on the pitching staff have turned into 12 game winners and the entire Cardinals lineup has been playing extraordinary baseball all year long.  It’s hard not to give the award to the manager of the team that has a 7 game lead on the best record in baseball race.