Atlanta Braves TomahawkTake Writing Staff Predict 2016 Award Winners

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Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) after receiving the Rawlings Gold Glove Award prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

List of Expected Uber Performers for 2016 Varies Wildly

Previously, we’ve given you our take on the 2016 finishing positions of every team and for the playoffs guesses we have for the top finishers. Today we finish up those guesses with the major awards for each league.

Most Valuable Players

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

ALAN/CHRIS/DAN/FRED/JEFF – Paul Goldschmidt
BEN/JOSH – Andrew McCutchen
FLETCH – Jason Heyward
PHILIP – Bryce Harper

Not a lot of doubt here, though an explanation could be in order. In my own thinking, I had picked the D-Backs to win their division and the Nationals to finish second. That’s partly based on thinking that teams would not be inclined to pitch to Harper regularly, thus lowering his numbers from last season.

By contrast, the Arizona lineup was going to require pitching to Goldschmidt, which would increase his output. However, all of that is obviously now in a bit of flux, given that one of those key lineup supports, A.J. Pollock, is now on the shelf for Arizona. Of course we didn’t know that at the time… it would have changed by own answer – probably to either Harper or Anthony Rizzo.

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

ALAN – Carlos Correa
BEN – Lorenzo Cain
CHRIS/DAN/JEFF/PHILIP – Mike Trout
FLETCH – Todd Frazier
FRED – Miguel Cabrera
JOSH – Jose Altuve

Many sticking with the perennial performer in Trout again, though that could be difficult depending on the finishing position of his team. While adding Andrelton Simmons should help their pitching, they actually need a lot more help there than just defense, and voters tend to avoid picking winners on losing teams. But it’s way early yet, of course: heck, I have the Astros winning the World Series and yet they started 1-3 along with the Angels.

You’ve gotta give Fletcher some credit: his predictions are consistently on the edge, but at least he’s also consistent. He got Todd Frazier as your AL MVP, but he also had the White Sox jumping up and winning the AL Central. Bold picks, but entirely consistent.

Next: The Hurling Headliners

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