Thoughts on Judge, Goldschmidt, Verlander, Alcantara, Tito, Showalter, J-Rod & Harris II

During this past week, the BBWAA announced the winners of Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player in both the American and National Leagues. Here are my thoughts on the winners.

AL MVP - Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

This was a no-brainer with Judge eclipsing Roger Maris' 61-year old AL single season HR record. Judge not only led the AL in HRs with 62 but he also led the league in RBI (131), walks (111), OBP (.425), SLG (.686) and OPS (1.111). 

The question now is whether Judge will remain in a Yankees uniform as the 30-year old slugger is now a free agent. This has been complicated by allegations the Yankees made a non-aggression pact with the New York Mets in which the Mets agreed not to pursue him. This is known as tampering. 

But none of this behind the scenes inside baseball takes away from Judge's magnificent accomplishments in 2022.

NL MVP - Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals

A perennial MVP candidate who had finished in the Top 10 five times including two runner ups in 2013 and 2015 while a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks finally got his brass ring. This season, Goldschmidt hit .317 with 35 HR and 115 RBI while leading the NL in SLG (.578), OPS (.981) and OPS + (180). Goldschmidt, 35, bested a couple of third basemen for the honor - teammate Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres. The veteran first baseman is signed with St. Louis through 2024. 

AL Cy Young Award - Justin Verlander, Houston Astros

After winning his second career AL Cy Young Award in 2019, Justin Verlander pitched only once during the COVID shortened 2020 season and missed all of 2021 due to Tommy John surgery. Yet somehow Verlander picked up right where he left off leading the AL in wins (18) and ERA (1.75) augmenting his Hall of Fame resume. 

Verlander, who turns 40 in February, is a free agent. While Verlander is not likely to attract a long term deal he will have no shortage of suitors. 

NL Cy Young Award - Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

The brightest spot on a disappointing Marlins team, Alcantara went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA leading the Senior Circuit in innings pitched (228.2) and complete games (6). At 27, Alcantara is under club control through 2026 with a club option in 2027. However, if the Dominican born Alcantara continues to pitch well and the Marlins continue to flounder he could soon be trade bait. 

AL Manger of the Year - Terry Francona, Cleveland Guardians

This is Tito's third time winning the honors in Cleveland something he never earned leading the Boston Red Sox to two World Series titles. Francona won AL Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2016 - the latter campaign earned the then Tribe franchise an AL pennant.

While the Guardians exceeded all expectations, if I were a BBWAA voter I would have voted for Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. How many people expected the O's to lose 100 plus games for the fourth time in five years? You could count on one hand how many people expected Baltimore to enjoy a winning season in 2022.

Still, I do have a soft spot for Francona going back to when he played for the Montreal Expos. I remember Tito when he had a full head of hair.

NL Manager of the Year - Buck Showalter, New York Mets

This is the fourth time Showalter has won Manager of the Year honors and he has now done it with his fourth club although his first in the NL. Showalter won AL Manager of the Year in 1994 with the New York Yankees, in 2004 with the Texas Rangers and in 2014 with the Baltimore Orioles. I guess 2024 couldn't wait.

Although the Mets would blow a double digit lead in the NL East, Showalter guided the team to their first post-season appearance since 2016 and provided them with a firm leadership which neither Mickey Callaway nor Luis Rojas possessed. 

AL Rookie of the Year - Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners

There is reason to believe that if not for the 21-year old Dominican born centerfielder, the Mariners might still be in the midst of a two decade plus long post-season drought. In his inaugural campaign, J-Rod hit .284 with 28 HR and 75 RBI with 25 stolen bases to boot. 

NL Rookie of the Year - Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves

This was the year of the 21-year old rookie centerfielder. Georgia native Michael Harris II did not make his big league debut until Memorial Day Weekend but his emergence and the return of Ronald Acuna, Jr. helped the Braves overcome their early season struggles and end up with 101 wins and yet another NL East title. In only 114 games played, Harris hit .297 with 19 HR, 64 RBI along with 20 stolen bases. 

I have a feeling that this will not be the last post-season award that Harris II and J-Rod see in their careers.