2007 Award Predictions

Even though I have all 4 teams in the NCAA final four, I will not get cocky. Picking the AL and NL MVP award winners is extremely difficult. But here goes:

American League

MVP: 2006 winner was Twins' 1st Baseman Justin Morneau

The usual names will be bandied about - A-Rod, Big Papi, Vlad, etc. I hate picking a DH, but today's pick is Indians DH Travis Hafner. "Pronk" finished 5th in 2005, 8th in 2006. Hafner's last 3 seasons have been impressive to say the least. His HRs have increased from 28-33-42 and his RBI has been a consistent 109-108-117.
2007 Prediction - Travis Hafner, Cle

Cy Young: 2006 winner was the Twins' Johann Santana

This is an easier choice for me than in the past. There's no reason not to think that Santana, who won in 2004, in addition to last season, won't win it again. He should win the triple crown of pitching (wins, ERA, strikeouts) with relative ease.
2007 Prediction - Johann Santana, Minn

Rookie of the Year: 2006 winner was Tigers' Justin Verlander

Dice-K has the most press. Alex Gordon has the pedigree. But Delmon Young has the bat. Young gave his rep a black eye with his tossed bat into a minor league ump and joining fellow prospects like Elijah Dukes in complaining about their handling by the D-Rays. But this kid can flat out hit. And will.

2007 Prediction - Delmon Young, TB

National League

MVP: 2006 winner was Phillies' 1st Baseman Ryan Howard

Howard should put up big numbers again and could very easily win back-to-back awards. The Mets big 4 of Wright, Reyes, Beltran, and Delgado will contend and of course, the Cards' Albert Pujols is still the man to beat. That all being said, a guy with less publicity in Philly will get the award. Chase Utley has blossomed into one of the premiere hitters in the game. The 28-yr old has average .301-30-103 the last 2 seasons and will benefit from having Howard hitting behind him.

2007 Prediction - Chase Utley, Phi


Cy Young: 2006 winner was DBack's Brandon Webb

The Cards Chris Carpenter won in '05 and finished 3rd last year. No reason to think he won't be in the top 5 again. The D-Train came in 2nd in '05, but was mediocre with a decent Marlins team last year. He'll probably have a bounce back year. Roy Oswalt pitches in a hitter's park, but is solid. The prediction here is the same as it was last year; the Cubbie's Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano finished 3rd in the voting last year and has topped 200 IP 4 straight years. He's also struck out 200+ hitters over the last 2 seasons as he gets ready to pitch for a huge contract extension.

2007 Prediction - Carlos Zambrano, Chi


Rookie of the Year: 2006 winner was Marlin's SS Hanley Ramirez

The Met's Mike Pelfrey, the Reds' HomerBailey, and the Brewers' Ryan Braun bring plenty to the table, but the DBacks Chris Young takes the prize. The Dbacks have a lot of good young talent (Upton, Gonzalez, Drew, etc.), but the centerfielder has power and speed and will produce both. Think the White Sox wish they still had him?

2007 Prediction - Chris Young, AZ

There you have it. For what it's worth.