Since not much is going on in Yankee land this week…besides the cordial treatment of Robinson Cano by all the classy fans at Kaufmann Stadium, so I’m going to appoint my mid-season award winners in several standard and non-standard categories.
My qualifications are at least 70 games played for hitters (with the exception of ROY candidates) and at least 100 IP for starters.
AL MVP- Josh Hamilton, Rangers
I considered- David Ortiz, Edwin Encarnacion, Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano
NL MVP- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
I considered- David Wright, Joey Votto, Matt Holliday, Melky Cabrera
Hank Aaron Award AL- David Ortiz, Red Sox
Hank Aaron Award NL- Joey Votto, Reds
AL Cy Young- Justin Verlander, Tigers
I considered- Chris Sale, Jake Peavy, Jared Weaver, David Price
NL Cy Young- R.A. Dickey, Mets
I considered- Zack Greinke, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Cain, Johnny Cueto
Rolaids Relief Man AL- Joe Nathan, Rangers
Rolaids Relief Man NL- Aroldis Chapman, Reds
Delivery Man of the Year- Fernando Rodney, Rays
AL Rookie- Mike Trout, Angels
I considered- No one else…who has come close?
NL Rookie- Wade Miley, Diamondbacks
I considered- Bryce Harper, Norichika Aoki, Lance Lynn, Kirk Nieuwenhuis
AL Comeback Player- Adam Dunn, White Sox
NL Comeback Player- Jason Heyward, Braves
AL Manager of the Year- Buck Showalter, Orioles
NL Manager of the Year- Davey Johnson, Nationals
MLB Silver Sluggers
C- Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
1B- Joey Votto, Reds
2B- Robinson Cano, Yankees
SS- Ian Desmond, Nationals
3B- David Wright, Mets
OF- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
OF- Josh Hamilton, Rangers
OF- Matt Holliday, Cardinals
DH(AL)- David Ortiz, Red Sox
SP(NL)- Cole Hamels, Phillies
Michael, can you back up your choice of Hamilton over Cano (and Trout, who was missing from consideration)…? McCutchen's gained traction on Votto in the last few weeks, but Hamilton might be my third (or at least second in the AL East race).
That said, I agree almost uniformly with these. You think Miley will hold onto that lead in the second half?
As For Miley, its hard to say…if Harper turns it on, then no.
Well, Trout has played roughly a month less than the other candidates, so he didn't 'qualify'.
I gave Hamilton the nod because I believe the Rangers would struggle more without him than the Yankees would without Cano. Also, Hamilton's numbers are better in several 'important' stat categories (wOBA, OPS, ISO, HRs). Not only that, he's played well all year, whereas Cano struggled early.