2016 MLB Award Predictions
The 2016 MLB season is over. The Chicago Cubs have finally reached the promised land and ended their 108 year World Series drought. With the season ending, award season is approaching. 2016 has certainly been an entertaining season that has produced some incredible years from several players. In this article, I'll be making my picks for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year in each league. Several of these awards were difficult to decide on, as each one presents multiple worthy candidates. Without further ado, here are my picks for the 2016 MLB awards.
American League MVP: Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
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I love Mike Trout, and he very well could take home this award, but I'm throwing my support behind Betts here. Yes, Trout's WAR was a full win higher than Betts', and WAR is often a better indicator of player value than other stats, but Trout played for a terrible Angels team, and while he was still very valuable, Betts was the best player on a team that won its division. I tend to give an edge to players who played meaningful games in September and October. Betts was one of the biggest breakout star of the 2016 season, hitting .318 with 31 HR and 113 RBI. He also had a defensive WAR of 2.83, which was second best in the majors and nearly 2 full wins higher than Trout. If these two guys switched teams, I'd probably give it to Trout. In my opinion these two guys are pretty much even, so Betts gets the edge for helping lead his team to the playoffs.
National League MVP: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
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This is another award that could go to another guy, such as Daniel Murphy or Nolan Arenado, but I think Kris Bryant will take home the honors. Bryant had an incredible rookie season in 2015, and he built on that in 2016, hitting .292 with 39 HR and 102 RBI. He also had a WAR of 7.67, which was 3rd best in the majors and best in the National League. He was arguably the best player on a loaded Cubs team. Arenado and Murphy are both worthy candidates who will get plenty of votes, but Bryant has been the best player on the best team in baseball. That's why I think he'll take home the award.
American League Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
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Remember when we all thought Justin Verlander was done? Well, he certainly turned back the clock this season. Verlander posted a 16-9 record to go along with an ERA of 3.04, which was second best in the American League, and an AL leading 254 strikeouts. He also led all major league pitchers with a WAR of 6.61. Corey Kluber is a worthy candidate as well, and he may win it because of the Indians making the playoffs, but Verlander has Kluber beat in ERA, strikeouts, WHIP, and WAR. That makes the edge Kluber has by going to the postseason disappear, and in my mind makes Verlander a pretty easy choice.
National League Cy Young: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
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Statistically, this is probably the most difficult award to choose. The National League is loaded with mountains of great starting pitching. You could probably make a case for five or six different guys, and believe me, part of me wants to give this award to Jose Fernandez posthumously, but I'm going with Scherzer. Scherzer posted a record of 20-7 with an ERA of 2.96, a WHIP of 0.97, and 284 strikeouts. He also posted a WAR of 6.21. His totals for wins, WHIP, WAR, and strikeouts were the best in the National League. Even though Kyle Hendricks had an ERA that was nearly a full run lower than Scherzer, he doesn't touch Scherzer in these other categories. Hendricks, Johnny Cueto, Jon Lester, Noah Syndergaard, and Fernandez all deserve legitimate consideration, but Scherzer is the best in the league in four major categories, and because of that, he deserves to win the Cy Young.
American League Rookie of the Year: Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers
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This award is going to be very interesting. Gary Sanchez took the league by storm when he hit 20 HR in 53 games, but that's the thing. He only played 53 games. I don't think he should win the award when he only played a third of the season. I think Fulmer should win the award. Fulmer had a record of 11-7 with an ERA of 3.06 and a WHIP of 1.12. Other players to consider include Tyler Naquin and Nomar Mazara, but I'm backing Fulmer. He was one of the better pitchers in the American League over the entire season. If Gary Sanchez had played the way he did over 100 games instead of 53, I'd say Sanchez. But he didn't, so I say Fulmer should win it.
National League Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
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This was my easiest choice. This award really shouldn't be up for debate. Corey Seager has been far and away the best rookie in baseball this year, and he'll probably get some MVP votes as well. He hit .308 with 26 HR and 72 RBI, and had a WAR of 6.12, which was lightyears away from the competition. Not much justification is needed for this one. Seager had an incredible year. He's the runaway pick for this award.
American League Manager of the Year: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians
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Not a whole lot of people expected much out of the Indians this year in the AL Central. The Royals were looking to repeat as World Champions, the Tigers were reloaded, and the Twins were a trendy dark horse pick. Nobody expected the Indians to run away with the division. Francona led the Tribe to a 94-67 record and an extremely comfortable 8 game margin over the Tigers. Francona had a lot to do with it too. His management of the pitching staff was magnificent, and he was able to guide the team to the playoffs despite multiple key injuries and suspensions in the outfield and arguably the worst catcher play in the majors. Francona has proven time and time again over the years why he's among the best in the business, and he did so again this year.
National League Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker, Washington Nationals
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Joe Maddon and Dave Roberts have been the most popular picks here, but I'm bucking the trend and going with Baker. The Nationals were a mess when Baker was hired last November. They had won just 83 games in 2015 despite being heavy favorites to win the World Series. Matt Williams had lost control of the clubhouse and the team chemistry had completely eroded. Baker is known for being a player's manager, which was exactly what the Nationals needed. He led the Nats to a 95-67 record and an NL East title. Yes, some of his strategic decisions were questionable, but he completely turned around the clubhouse culture and got this team back to the playoffs. That's worthy of a Manager of the Year Award.
The 2016 MLB Season has been an incredible one. These award winners are just some of the brightest stars from this season. There are many candidates worthy of taking home awards, but unfortunately only a few can ultimately win. It's been a great season, and the offseason should once again be full of fun rumors and transactions.
