Top ten MLB award predictions

10 Carlos Zambrano- NL Silver Slugger

Carlos Zambrano is hitting .363. Trivia question: what’s his OBP? If you guessed .363, you win a signed photo of Scott Phillips and Kevin Love.

9 Brandon Webb- NL Cy Young

Sabathia, Schlabathia. Webb has been the one of the two best pitchers in the NL the entire season, but gets the nod over tiny Tim Lincecum because his team doesn’t suck.

8 Evan Longoria- AL Rookie of the Year

There was a time when Longoria was described as the best third base prospect since Alex Gordon. But a funny thing happened the last two years: Gordon struggled adjusting to major league pitching, while Longoria had no such problems. He’s the franchise player the Rayz have always been looking for, and should be an All Star staple in the AL.

7 Albert Pujols- NL MVP

It appeared that Chase Utley was going to make sure a Phillie won the NL MVP three years in a row. But he’s tailed off a tad in the second half, and Pujols has continued to prove he’s one of the two best hitters in baseball. With all the early season talk of Chipper Jones hitting .400, Pujols now leads the NL in BA at .363.

6 Lou Piniella- NL Manager of the Year

This is a no-brainer. While Sweet Lou still does a few boneheaded things, like hitting his best power hitter leadoff, the Cubbies are clearly the best team in the NL, and it’s not even close.

5 Geo Soto- NL Rookie of the Year

Perhaps no player has been as valuable to the Cubs as their rookie catcher. With a steady supply of power and plate patience, Soto has been arguably the best offensive catcher in the NL all season.

4 Carlos Quentin- AL MVP

We’ve covered this before.

3 Joe Maddon- AL Manager of the Year

Mike Scioscia might manage the best team in the AL, but what Maddon has done with the Rayz deserves recognition. Now if only the local fans would notice.

2 Francisco Rodriguez- Rolaids Relief Man of the Year

You can make the argument that K-Rod should be Cy Young, but he’s certainly a shoe-in for RRM. There are other closers with better peripheral stats, but it’s impossible to argue with 60 saves.

1 Cliff Lee- AL Cy Young

How good has Lee been in 2008 ? PTI discussed whether it’s the best season a pitcher has had since Steve Carlton’s famed 1972 campaign. With 20 wins already, it’s safe to say Lee has the award all wrapped up already. When you consider that a year ago, Lee was trying to work out mechanical problems in Triple-A Buffalo, it makes for one rather amazing story.

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