Chad in DC

Cappo, League 16

You know how the saying goes … every team thinks they’ve got a shot to win the pennant on Opening Day. In a similar vein, every one of my 2008 MLB predictions has a chance to be spot-on as of Opening Day.

I’m a realist, however, and the reality is that, come September, my predictions might be as ‘busted’ as my NCAA bracket was after the 2nd round this year. So, I’ll be following up this prediction column with an “actuals” column in late September. That’s when I’ll compare my award-winning predictions with what actually transpired during this baseball campaign. So here goes nothing …

Junior Circuit Awards

MVP: M-Cab
Honorable Mentions: Papi, A-Rod

There’s so much to love w/ Miguel Cabrera this year! He’s only 24 (yeah I know, it’s hard to believe), so he should just be entering his prime now. He’s hitting in the middle of perhaps the fiercest line-up in all of baseball. Also, dude just got P-A-I-D; he has financial security that you and I can only dream of, and he’s sure to get more media attention this year than ever before. I have no doubt the best player in the game, A-Rod, will put up another monster season for the Bronx Bombers, and a fully healthy Big Papi threatens to blow away last season’s amazingly rock-solid totals. Still, it seems to me that all the stars have aligned for M-Cab this year.

Cy Young: Verlander
Honorable Mentions: Beckett, Carmona, Sabathia

I could easily see Justin Verlander notching 20 wins and topping 200 Ks for the first time in his career. Someone please tell me, what’s not to love about this young, stud right-hander? As far as the other guys go, I’ve never really trusted Beckett’s health, especially now that his back is flaring up. I think the Tribe’s young flamethrowers, Carmona and Sabathia, may cancel each other out in the voting. Many of you astute readers may have noticed a trend so far. Yes … I really like the boys in Motown this year.

Rookie of the Year: Buchholz
Honorable Mentions: Joba, Longoria

Clay Buchholz sold me last September when he threw a no-hit gem in his 2nd career start … in the middle of a pennant race (are you freaking kidding me?!). Now, with Schilling shelved indefinitely, he’s got some job security. Make no doubt about it, I was thrilled to land Joba in Round 16 of my FBM draft; but starting in the Yanks’ pen isn’t going to help his value any. And finally, despite raking this spring, the Rays made the bonehead decision of sending Evan Longoria down to AAA. You’ve all heard the expression “it’s just Manny being Manny”. Well, this is just another example of “the Rays being the Rays”.

Senior Circuit Awards

MVP: Wright
Honorable Mentions: Howard, Fielder, Teixeira

.325 BA, 30 HRs, 107 RBIs, 113 Runs, 34 SBs. Those were David Wright’s sick numbers from a year ago, and at 25 there’s no reason to think he has even maxed out yet. Playing for the top team in the NL should further help differentiate this special player from the trio of first basemen mentioned above. By the way, it felt really weird not even listing Albert Pujols as an honorable mention, but his elbow scares the ‘you-know-what’ out of me. I’d be actively courting trade partners if he was on my fantasy team.

Cy Young: Peavy
Honorable Mentions: Webb, Santana

With guys like Johan and Danny Haren changing leagues this past off season, the NL is loaded with top tier starting pitchers. However, an old holdover, Jake Peavy, gets the nod as this observer’s expected top pitcher. Pitching half of his games in the cavernous Petco Park, Peavy is primed for a repeat of last year’s Cy Young performance. While I think Johan will experience considerable success as an NL’er, a slight adjustment period for him during the first half of ‘08 would not surprise me in the least.

Rookie of the Year: Votto
Honorable Mention: Towles

I have to admit, Votto was really the default choice here as none of the National League rookies excite me this year … not nearly as much as their American League counterparts. With that said, at 24 years of age, and having hit at every level in the minors, Votto appears ready to begin a solid Major League career. J.R. Towles had a productive late season audition last year, and he should be the man behind the plate for the ‘Stros this year with only the declining and never terribly productive Brad Ausmus threatening his playing time.

Well, I really had a blast writing this predictions column! Fellow mafiosos, how great is it that Opening Day is finally here?!