Foxsports.com writer Ken Rosenthal makes his "award winner" predictions for 2007. My responses are in bold font.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals. This time, there will be no debate.
This is one of those safe picks, but it's a smart one. It's okay to be smart.
Cy Young: Chris Carpenter, Cardinals. I pick him every year.
This one is alright, although you have some good young arms in Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt, and Ben Sheets (if he can stay healthy for a full season).
Rookie: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies. The game's next outstanding shortstop.
We'll see, but he is highly touted. All of these picks are pretty sane. There really is no reason to commen....OH WAIT! HERE WE GO!
Manager: Grady Little, Dodgers. 92-win average in three seasons with Red Sox and Dodgers.
Now is he stating Little is a manager or that he'll be manager of the year 2007? Either point is debatable. This guy is universally known as making the managerial blunder that cost the Red Sox the 2003 ALCS (he left Pedro in past 100 innings). This move unfairly overshadows his other bonehead mistakes. Hell, he bats Juan Pierre leadoff. Pierre's OBP for the last two seasons? .326 and .330. That sucks, especially for a leadoff hitter.
Batting champ: Chase Utley, Phillies.
Not sure if I agree wholeheartedly, but if he can get to his OPS from last year (which was an amazing .906), then who cares what his batting average is?
Comeback player: Josh Hamilton, Reds.
Bounceback player: Tim Hudson, Braves.
What the fuck is the difference between comeback and bounceback? Aren't they the same?
Breakout player: Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks.
Um, shouldn't this fall under Rookie of the Year?
Manager most in trouble: Clint Hurdle, Rockies.
After this article was published, Hurdle got a 2 year contract extension from the Rockies. D'OH!
Biggest name traded at deadline: Ken Griffey Jr., Reds.
I see Adam Dunn and his $13 million option getting traded before Griffey's gimp body does.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
MVP: Alex Rodriguez, Yankees. In unreal physical condition.
Awww Ken, you've been watching A-Rod sunbathe in Central Park again, haven't ya?
Cy Young: Johan Santana, Twins. Duh.
Glad to see you speak retard as well.
Rookie: Alex Gordon, Royals. Dice-K and Delmon Young worthy challengers.
Gordon's a good pick. As for Dice-K, I don't see a professional Japanese player winning it unless he's truly dominant. Unless the voters learned their lesson after not giving it to Hideki Matsui (Angel Berroa won it over him in 2003, and now he's not even on the Royal's major league roster...yikes!)
Manager: Mike Scioscia, Angels. Deserving every season.
I'll give you this one, although he is slightly overrated. But most managers are.
Comeback player: Darin Erstad, White Sox.
Shouldn't he have been there recently to have any chance of coming back? His last GOOD season was in 2000! He has 25 homers, 100 ribbies, and a .950 OPS. We'll use the line from his last full healthy season (2005) to compare: 7/66/.696. That sucks. Bad. In fact, every season after 2000 are a lot of the same suckage.
Bounceback player: Mark Buehrle, White Sox.
Or in Buehrle's case recently, it's the ball bouncing back towards him after giving up yet another hit. Once again, what's the difference between come and bounce back? Does it have to do with being bouncy?
Breakout player: Felix Hernandez, Mariners.
I keep hearing this from people. Didn't he break out in 2005, hence the nickname "King Felix"?
Batting champ: Robinson Cano, Yankees.
Seems like a good bet, although you still have Joe Maur, Derek Jeter, and Michael Young to contend with.
Manager most in trouble: Mike Hargrove, Mariners.
This guy has done everything to deserve a firing years ago, and yet hasn't been given the pink slip. Short of doing the owner's wife and/or mistress, I don't see him getting fired unless said owner finally wakes up.
Biggest name traded at deadline: Mike Sweeney, Royals.
So...you don't see any big names going in the AL at the trade deadline, is what you're saying?
