With the regular and postseason over, and the hot stove not quite on fire just yet, it’s a perfect time to pick my regular season award winners for the 2008 season.  Here are my MVP picks.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

American League:  Justin Morneau (1B, MIN) .300 BA, 23 HR, 129 RBI

           For the second time in three years, the Twins’ Justin Morneau put together an MVP season.  On a team largely dependent on speed, pitching and defense, Morneau led the way offensively with 187 hits, 47 doubles, 23 homers, 129 RBI, and an .873 OPS.  The only Twin to play in all 163 games, he was by far the most potent bat in Minnesota’s lineup and carried the team to a surprise appearance in a one-game playoff with the White Sox for the AL Central title.  Morneau scored 97 runs and was the only player on the Twins to drive in more than 85 runs, and one of just three Twins to hit double digits in home runs.

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Part Four:  The Maestro

           Has Omar Minaya been a good general manager of the New York Mets?  Well, for one, he didn’t trade Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano.  No, when he traded the Mets’ top prospects, he got a much better return—Johan Santana anyone?

           Since Minaya took over GM duties for the Mets, Santana hasn’t been his only impressive acquisition.  He also brought in Pedro Martinez, who restored the Mets to some respectability and allowed him to sign Carlos Beltran, and he traded for Carlos Delgado, another instrumental part of the core of the Mets team that has been competitive every season with Minaya on board.  Other useful acquisitions include Paul LoDuca, Darren Oliver, Jose Valentin, Duaner Sanchez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Endy Chavez, Ryan Church, Damion Easley and Fernando Tatis.

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