NL East MVP
Johan Santana, Mets
Seldom does a pitcher truly justify the MVP/Cy Young Award double. Santana has that potential after moving from the Minnesota Twins to the Mets. His fastball-changeup combination, coupled with his pitching acumen, gives him the potential to turn in a Sandy Koufax-like season for the Mets. His addition erased much of the bad taste from the team’s 2007 collapse and figures to make it impossible for the Phillies and Braves to stay with the Mets for a full season. The move to New York is never easy, but this guy is made of strong timber.
NL East Cy Young Award
Santana, Mets
Here’s more bad news for the Phillies and Braves. John Maine, a 15-game winner for the Mets a year ago, was one of the most impressive pitchers in Florida this spring. Some scouts believe he could wind up as the biggest winner on a staff that includes Santana and a healthy Pedro Martinez.
NL East Rookie of the Year
Jair Jurrjens, Braves
Acquired from the Tigers in the Edgar Renteria trade, the 22-year-old native of Curacao has hit the ground running in Atlanta. He won a spot in a decorated rotation that includes John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Tom Glavine and seems like a good bet for double-figure wins. Jurrjens has never pitched in Triple A, but he held AL hitters to a .220 average in a seven-start debut last year. He’s never pitched more than 142 innings in a season, so durability is a reasonable concern.
NL East Manager of the Year
Willie Randolph, Mets
Randolph was praised as a genius two years ago when his stoic approach helped the Mets get to the NLCS with a starting rotation in disarray. He was demeaned as a sleepy automaton last year when the Mets went 5-12 down the stretch and missed the playoffs. If the Mets limp out of the gate, he could be the first manager fired. He has too much talent and is too experienced to let that happen.
