MLB Awards
NL MVP – OF Ronald Acuna Jr. – Atlanta Braves
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Jacob deGrom – New York Mets
AL Cy Young – Tyler Glasnow – Tampa Bay Rays
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Dylan Carlson – St. Louis Cardinals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Jarred Kelenic – Seattle Mariners
NL Manager of the Year – Mike Shildt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL Manager of the Year – Carlie Montoyo – Toronto Blue Jays Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Did they need to sign Trevor Bauer? Not really, but by doing so insures they remain the team to beat.
2. San Diego Padres
The moves they made were the right ones and now they have to prove it by dethroning the Dodgers.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
Being stuck in a rut like they are isn’t a good place to be. They can’t wave the white flag yet, but it’s coming.
4. San Francisco Giants
It’s been a painful process for them, but it is going to pay dividends when a couple more large contracts are off the books.
5. Colorado Rockies
If you want to see an example of how not to handle the departure of your best player, look no further than in Denver, Colorado.
Player to Watch: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. – San Diego Padres
Best Acquisition: P Trevor Bauer – Los Angeles Dodgers
New Kid on the Block: 2B Gavin Lux – Los Angeles Dodgers Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. St. Louis Cardinals
The acquisition of Nolan Arenado was a gift that they won’t soon squander.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
Their pitching staff has a few question marks, but their lineup is stacked and will keep them in contention.
3. Chicago Cubs
The signals that ownership has sent out indicates that this will be the last season with this current group of players.
4. Cincinnati Reds
It didn’t work last year and now they’ve lost their Cy Young winner in Trevor Bauer.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
And the title of the worst team in baseball goes to…
Player to Watch: 3B Kris Bryant – Chicago Cubs
Best Acquisition: 3B Nolan Arenado – St. Louis Cardinals
New Kid on the Block: OF Dylan Carlson – St. Louis Cardinals Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Atlanta Braves
Their depth will be tested this year, but they are the team to beat in the NL East.
2. New York Mets
With their new owner in place they are built to win now and for the near future as well.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
Bringing in Dave Dombrowski to run the front office means they won’t be penny pinching and want to win now.
4. Miami Marlins
In a full 162-game season it will be harder to clinch a Wild Card spot, but don’t be surprised if they do.
5. Washington Nationals
Last season was a disaster and while they should be better this year, the rest of the division got better.
Player to Watch: OF Ronald Acuna Jr. – Atlanta Braves
Best Acquisition: SS Francisco Lindor – New York Mets
New Kid on the Block: P Sixto Sanchez – Miami Marlins Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Oakland Athletics
With their pipeline of pitching on the way they will be hard to contend with in the dog days of summer.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Assuming Shohei Ohtani is back to his old self from his rookie season and Trout and Rendon are playing at an All-Star level, they should be in the Wild Card hunt.
3. Houston Astros
The loss of George Springer in free agency is going to hurt, but not having Justin Verlander in the rotation will be more damaging.
4. Seattle Mariners
They have some intriguing pieces in place for a possible run at a Wild Card spot.
5. Texas Rangers
The growing pains will continue, but their new ballpark looks nice.
Player to Watch: P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
Best Acquisition: P Raisel Iglesias – Los Angeles Angels
New Kid on the Block: OF Jarred Kelenic – Seattle Mariners Continue reading
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