MVP Predictions

Written by: Seth Stohs on 29th March 2009

MVP Predictions | read this item

With just one week left before Opening Day, the writers that you find here at the Twins page of BaseballDigest.com will be making predictions on the 2009 season. We will start the week with some league-wide award predictions before diving into that playoffs. Later in the week, we will start making some Twins-specific predictions. So be sure to continue to check here throughout the week. Be sure to click on the writers’ name to learn more about each of them.

Today we begin with our predictions for the American League and National League Most Valuable Players:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Seth Stohs – Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

The 2006 AL MVP would have been the 2008 winner if not for a September swoon. That won’t happen again as Morneau leads the Twins back to the playoffs. Runner Up – Josh Hamilton.

Parker Hageman – Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

After years of putting up solid numbers while playing for three teams in the past two seasons, Teixeira has the opportunity to showcase his patience, power and defensive excellence in the largest media market in the world. Considering it will be 318 to those right field seats at the new Yankee Stadium, Teixeira has the capabilities to hand out some souvenirs to some very happy Bronx visitors, maybe reaching the 40-home run plateau. If Teixeira is in the middle of the Bombers order and provides his usual production to get them back into the playoffs, there’s no doubt Teixeira is due for an MVP trophy.

Josh Johnson – Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

Nick Nelson – Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians

I like the Indians to win the Central division on this guy’s shoulders.

John Meyer – Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

Despite my bias, I really think the Twins will have a great season and Justin Morneau will be at the heart of it all. His previous award will help him in voting as well.

Alex Halsted – Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

Biased? Yes, a little. But last season Morneau would have likely claimed the title if the Twins could’ve won game 163 and had he not had a poor final week or so.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Seth Stohs – David Wright, New York Mets

It’s too easy to pick Albert Pujols. I just think Wright is so good all-around, and he seems to get “leader” points in the media, so when the Mets get back to the playoffs, he will get a ton of credit. Runner-Up – Ryan Howard.

Parker Hageman – Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

A nearly 2-to-1 walks-to-strikeouts ratio aided Pujols’s OBP to reach a career-high of .462 while 43% of his hits went for extra bases as his slugging percentage climaxed at .653. He’s as dangerous as they come at the plate plus he can wield some leather (with a +20 at first base, he was jobbed out of a Gold Glove in 2008). A monster September where Pujols mashed 8 home runs while driving in 27 and slugging .702 sealed his second MVP award. In 2009, he will add a third.

Josh Johnson – Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Nick Nelson – Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

Not too creative, but neither was choosing Barry Bonds from 2001-2004. Pujols is the best.

John Meyer – David Wright, New York Mets

Wright will narrowly beat out a monster year from Hanley Ramirez because this year Wright gets the Mets into the playoffs.

Alex Halsted – Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

Pujols might give him a run for his money, but another good year at the plate should give Howard the award.

Alright, now it is your turn. Go out on a limb. Leave your votes in the comments today, and we can always revisit them later in the season.

Topics: Albert Pujols, David Wright, Grady Sizemore, josh hamilton, Justin Morneau, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Most Valuable Player, Ryan Howard

Parker Hageman says:

March 29, 2009 at 10:35 pm

Nick, Josh and I are the only ones not gulping the Kool-Aid I guess…
A Minor Trade? « SethSpeaks.net says:

March 30, 2009 at 12:02 am

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March 30, 2009 at 10:03 am

Oh, but it tastes so good! Plus, if ESPN said he’s been working out hard this offseason than of course he’s going to win the award!!!
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JimCrikket says:

March 31, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Sign me up for the Morneau 4 MVP club. To be honest, I won’t be a bit surprised to see Doc lose some votes to a team mate. No, not Joe… but Jason Kubel. I think this is going to be a big year for Kubes, but Morneau has the name recognition to get the award and he’ll have the stats to back it up.

My instincts say Manny will earn the MVP in the NL, but I don’t think he’ll get the votes if anyone else is close… and Pujols will be close. Pujols gets the award.
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