By Josh
So the other day I put out my predictions for the playoffs but today I wanted to have some fun and not only pick my award winners for the year but also give you some predictions of what I think will happen this year. Especially after Mike Carter wrote a great post on 9 Bold Predictions for the 2016 Season. Some of mine may be out there and some may be no brainers.
AL Cy Young – Sonny Gray – There is no doubt in my mind that Gray has the ability to win the Cy Young, what I do doubt is whether or not his team is good enough to get him in a position to win enough times. I know wins don’t define a good pitcher; I’m a Mariners fan and have seen Felix have amazing seasons ruined because his team couldn’t score. However, wins do matter. My second choice is going to be Chris Sale and honestly the more I think about it the more Sale creeps closer to my pick.
NL Cy Young – Gerrit Cole – I really wanted to go with Kershaw again for like the third year in a row, but I had to get out of my rut and try a new name. Cole is on a winning team and has the potential to really stand out from the rest of the league. This is one award I am rooting for and not just picking to pick.
AL MVP – Mike Trout – To not pick Trout would be like not picking Stephan Curry for NBA MVP. He is clearly the best player in the game and can put up numbers in every category. The two things that hurt him are that he plays for the Angels and everyone is used to his greatness. Either way I’m not going to go against the greatness that is Trout. Oh and he is only 24. Over under 3 more MVP awards for him? (hint I’m going with over)
NL MVP – Bryce Harper – Just a couple of years ago everyone was talking about how the all hype Harper was being left in the dust by Mike Trout. Well Harper is starting to live up to that hype and by the way he is still only 23. Trout and Harper might possibly be the most amazing young talent to ever come up to the league at the same time and have the potential to dominate for a long time.
AL ROY – Joey Gallo – Buxton is clearly the favorite in this race to start the season but for me Gallo’s monster homerun ability will get him votes. That is if he can get enough playing time and at bats to show it off. If he can, then don’t be surprised if he is able to get around 30 homeruns. Yes I know he can’t hit for average very well, and he may not have gold glove defense but he will hit for power and as a result will get walked a lot helping his on base percentage.
NL ROY – Corey Seager – Talented shortstop who can hit for power, play solid defense and already has some major league experience under his belt. He won’t have the most dominating year in my opinion but his all around play will warrant consideration and I feel the award.
Some Crazy or not so Crazy Predictions
1.The Dodgers starting rotation will put up similar and I would even say better numbers than they did last year, even with the loss of Greinke.
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Baseball officials will start talking about the expansion of two new teams by 2020. One will be in North Carolina and the other in Portland, OR. That’s right Canada doesn’t get one of the expansion teams.
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To go along with my previous prediction, this will create two 16 team leagues that have 4 divisions of 4. The Wild Card will be eliminated. That is right you will have to win your division to get into the playoffs.
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The White Sox and Braves will start searches for new managers before the All-Star break. Angels and Rockies will wait until the season is over.
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Kris Bryant will have a month long slump and everyone will begin to wonder if last season was a fluke. Then he will find his grove and will be the reason the Cubs make the playoffs.
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The Marlins will come out of the gate extremely slow and will hold their annual fire sale which will result in Stanton moving to a new team in return for 3 top 100 prospects and other pieces.
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Robinson Cano will come out with a vengeance this season after being hurt most of last season and will lead the AL in batting average at the all-star break.
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The Toronto Blue Jays will trade at least two of their big hitters at the trade deadline when they realize they won’t be making the playoffs this season.
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The Philadelphia Phillies will end the season not only in last place but will rank as having one of the worst season in MLB history.