The RSS Oracle has returned from his NFL scouting duties to bestow award predictions for the 2010 MLB Season. At least one of us has the Phightin Phills headed back to the top. Remember, you can take these to the bank:
AL MVP - Joe Mauer (MIN)
With his new contract to stay a Twin finished Mauer will show why he is the $100+ million dollar man in the Twin Cities. Mauer will continue to tear through the oppisition, hitting for .340+, 30+ HR and 120+ RBI. Although catcher is not the flashy or sexy position in baseball Mauer will make it by the end of his career and he will help power the Twins to a division title.
NL MVP - Hanley Ramirez (FLA)
Ramirez is the most dynamic player in the NL East and possibly all of MLB. Ramirez hit well over .300 last season and shows no reason why that should stop. If you were ranking players for fantasy baseball he would be the top player selected by many, or if not, top 2. Ramirez will continue to put up numbers that exceed .300, 30 HR and 100+ RBI which will make the Marlins a contender in the NL East/Wild Card picture.
AL Cy Young - Cliff Lee (SEA)
NL Cy Young - Roy Halladay (PHI)
You see a correlation with the Cy Young picks? The biggest trade this offseason will reap dividends for both teams and would be the first time in MLB history that two players involved in the same trade went on the win the CY Young award for their new teams. Halladay, much like Lee last season, will buzzsaw through NL hitting and put up great numbers.
Lee has the grace of playing in the AL West against the Lackey-less Angels, the up and coming Rangers and A's (who stuipdly released Cust today). Lee should put up great numbers in the AL and working with King Felix will lead the Mariners to the AL West crown. Put Don Wakamatsu down at Manager of the Year and Jack Zduriencik down as Executive of the Year.
AL ROY - Brian Matsuz (BAL)
A team who has nothing to play for Matsuz will provide excitement and hope for the Oriole faithful who wish for a great season. He is the only bright spot for the 2nd worst team near the Potomac.
NL ROY - Jason Heyward (ATL)
Heyward is the next great thing in baseball and will light things up in the ATL for a great while. A dynamic OF with great potential Heyward will patrol the OF for the Braves like no on has done in the past. Expect great things from this kid and the ROY will only start his collection of accolades.
World Series - Phillies over Twins in 6
Mauer's new contract shows commitment in the organization and if in contention they will make a move to shore up the pitching rotation to make a push towards their first World Series since 1991. Halladay will mow through the NL and only improve on what Lee's addition did for the team last year. In the end, Philly wins their 2nd in 3 years to establish themselves as a mini-dynasty.
Yoder's World Series Picks
Y1: Yankees over Phillies in 7
If anything, these two teams ahve only further cemented their status as the two best team sin their respective leagues. Roy Halladay will dominate the NL, but I still don't know who else will win games in October for this team against the Yanks. As Yohey expects the Twins to make a move, we all know that it will be the Yankees to add the extra arm or two to take them back to the top. It should be another great Series, but I'm going with the Yanks to repeat.
If the Phils had the guts to keep both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, this would be a slam dunk for Philly in this World Series rematch. Clearly, no other teams in either league have made the types of upgrades to get past these Eastern powerhouses. In the AL, the Yankees threats for the pennant are from their own division, the Red Sox and the Rays. However, they both have their deficiencies in their lineup and pitching respectively. In the NL, it's pretty much a poo poo platter behind the Phils, unless the Cards are healthy in October, an unlikely scenario. So, unfortunately for baseball fans in flyover country, it's going to be another year of the Evil Empire at the top.
Alright folks, there you have it. The players this season who we all will be talking about at the end. I am so happy that the pasttime has begun and will be in attendance at Great American Ballpark tomorrow to see my Redlegs vanquish the despised Cardinals and Chris Carpenter. This the Brother Yohey, as the great Joe Nuxhall once said, rounding third and heading for home. Good day, folks.
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