Monthly Awards

April's in the books, so let's dole out some awards, because there have been some simply amazing, and simply miserable performances thus far. So without further ado...

MVP, AL: Alex Rodriguez (.355, 14 HR, 34 RBI, 27 Runs)
He has cooled off, (3 for his last 18) but that's only after being on absolute, white-hot, fire. This may be one of the best single months ever in big league history. To put it into perspective, he's on pace to hit 99 home runs, drive in 240, score 190 times, and of course hit over .350. That's after a month, not after a week. Also Receiving Votes: Ian Kinsler, BJ Upton, Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez

MDP (most disappointing), AL: Mark Teixeira (.231, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs)
Another slow start for Tex, and his Tex-as Rangers for that matter. The 6 RBI is a hard total to imagine in that lineup, considering he had 91 AB's. What also concerns me is, at least last year when his power was slow to develop early in the year, at least he hit .293 in April. But he's a second-half player and has been his whole career, so just hang in there. Also Receiving Votes: Manny Ramirez, Michael Young (ouch Texas), Ichiro, Hideki Matsui

MVP, NL: Jose Reyes (.356, 26 Runs, 18 RBI, 17 SB)
Absolute superstar, who came into the season with enormous expectations and is somehow exceeding them. He already has a pair of 4-hit and three 3-hit games under his belt. And in that lineup, there's no reason to think his run, or steal totals should fall off. Oh by the way, he also has 9 doubles, 5 triples, and 2 home runs. He turns 24 in June and may be the best player in the game, under 25. Also Receiving Votes: Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Beltran, Hanley Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera

MDP, NL: Alfonso Soriano (.270, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 9 Runs, 2 SB)
And you thought Teixeira was bad. April 14...7th inning...Cubs hosting the Reds...Soriano gets an infield hit...Cliff Floyd scores. Why is this significant? Because it was Soriano's only RBI in April! He has been a complete bust so far on a team that is full of them. I know a lot of people were predicting he'd flirt with 40/40 again, hitting in a better lineup, in a more hitter-friendly park. At this point, 30/30 seems like a stretch. Also Receiving Votes: Ryan Howard, David Wright, Lance Berkman, Albert Pujols

Cy Young, AL: Roy Halladay (4-0, 2.28 ERA, 33 K, 0.89 WHIP)
He's 6 for 6 in quality starts. He already has 2 complete games under his belt (including a 10 inning outing against Detroit) and he should be at least 5-0, possibly 6-0. Here's what worries me for the rest of the season. Halladay has always been a "great month guy." But injuries have derailed him more than once. He's only posted 200+ innings in back to back years one time in 8 full seasons, prior to 2007. And he threw 220 a year ago. Might be a good "sell high" guy right now. Also Receiving Votes: Josh Beckett, Dan Haren, John Lackey

Cy Anora, AL: Mariano Rivera (1-2, 10.57 ERA, 1 Save)
To put his awful April into perspective, Mo's already allowed 9 earned runs. Last season, he allowed 15, and didn't allow his 9th until June 17. Yes, the Yankees starting pitching has been atrocious, so he hasn't been afforded too many chances to close out games. But the few times he's actually had the chance, he's just 1 for 3. I have to think he'll get better, and so will New York. Also Receiving Votes: Erik Bedard, Ervin Santana, Kevin Milwood

Cy Young, NL: Tim Hudson (3-0, 1.40 ERA, 32 K's, 0.91 WHIP)
Wow. Huddy's been out of this world and easily, could be 6-0 at this point. So far, he has yet to pitch less than 7 innings in a start, and has allowed 1, 0 , 1 , 0, 3, and 2 earned runs. Occasionally, his control escapes him (4 walks in two separate starts so far). But his 12-strikeout, 0-walk, no decision, is proof he's for real this season. Also Receiving Votes: John Maine, Jake Peavy, Rich Hill

Cy Anora, NL: Carlos Zambrano (2-2, 5.77 ERA, 25 K's, 1.63 WHIP)
He has just one quality start in 6 tries, almost completely due to his control issues and affinity for the gopher-ball. He's allowed 19 walks and 8 home runs in 34 innings (and is on pace to issue more than 100 free passes, and give up more than 50 long balls). Maybe he and Alfonso Soriano should get together and see if they can't straighten each other out, because Soriano never walks, and has inexplicably lost his power stroke. Poor Lou Piniella. Also Receiving Votes: Chris Young, Dontrelle Willis (who somehow has 5 wins!)