We continue the 2012 Preview with awards predictions across the total league.
NL MVP - Buster Posey - If the Giants win the NL West, Posey's health will be the reason why. He has the chance at a .300/20/100 season from behind the plate, which voters will give the leg up on most other positions if he can play 135+ games. He has a helluva staff to call, but Posey's role in the middle of the Giants order is just as important as his defensive abilities. 2. Hanley Ramirez 3. Ryan Braun
AL MVP - Adrian Gonzalez - I'm working under the assumption that Pujols will slow his March roll, Fielder will take a while to adjust to the American League, and Jacoby Ellsbury will not steal votes. However, I think Gonzo rediscovers the magic he started off last season with and blows away AL pitching now that he's seen the majority of them. 2. Albert Pujols 3. Miguel Cabrera
NL Cy Young - Cliff Lee - You can honestly pick the starter with the most wins off of the Phillies, but I think Lee gets a few more pending the health of Halladay and Hamels. Clayton Kershaw lingers out west, but I don't see him coming up with strong enough numbers for the second consecutive season to overcome his below-average team. 2. Halladay 3. Josh Johnson
AL Cy Young - Felix Hernandez - Sensational to watch pitch for what little the national baseball crowd gets to see the Mariners. As Ken Rosenthal points out, "Hernandez’s opponents’ batting average on balls in play rose from .265 in his Cy Young season two years ago to .308 last season, helping his ERA spike from 2.27 to 3.47. Verlander, by contrast, had his opponents’ BABIP drop from .289 to .237 (second lowest in the AL) and his ERA fall from 3.37 to 2.40." I'm siding with Rosenthal in his thinking that Verlander regresses a bit from his all-time great season last year and Hernandez moves into the prime of his career at 26 with a huge year. 2. Verlander 3. David Price
NL Rookie of the Year - Drew Pomeranz - The former Tribe prospect went the other way in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal and the Indians immediately regret the trade this year as Pomeranz gets 14 wins for Colorado. 2. Bryce Harper 3. Yonder Alonso
AL Rookie of the Year - Matt Moore - A full year at the top of the rotation for an AL East contender gives Moore a leg up on the competitors, who include Mike Trout (sent down to AAA due to an underwhelming and illness-filled spring) and new Rangers ace Yu Darvish. 2. Jesus Montero 3. Darvish
Other 2012 Season Previews
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