into somewhat of a depth about who are the front runners for the Silver Slugger Award from both leagues. However, I'm going to focus on the AL, as it is in fact, home to the New York Yankees.
In the American League, there should be a plethora of new faces, but there's also a good chance that the catcher and shortstop positions will be locked up by the same players who took home the hardware in 2008.
Behind the plate, Minnesota's Joe Mauer, a favorite for the AL MVP award, should cruise to his second straight Silver Slugger after leading the league in batting average at .365 and adding a career high in home runs (28) and RBIs (96). Mauer is a good bet to outlast Boston's Victor Martinez (.303, 23 HRs, 108 RBIs) and Yankees veteran Jorge Posada (.285, 22 HRs, 81 RBIs).
And at shortstop, Derek Jeter once again shined for the World Series champions, hitting .334 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs, which could put him just a cut above Tampa Bay's Jason Bartlett (.320, 14 HRs, 66 RBIs) and Cleveland's Asdrubal Cabrera (.308, 6 HRs, 68 RBIs) for his fourth straight Silver Slugger
There is no doubt in my mind that Joe Mauer's going to get it. Jorge Posada's year was nothing special and Victor Martinez, though an upgrade over Jason Varitek, doesn't have nearly the same numbers has Mauer.
Around the rest of the infield, the AL did not have a shortage of big boppers at first base, and the Yankees' Mark Teixeira has serious Silver Slugger credentials after hitting .292 with an AL-high-tying 39 homers and a league-best 122 RBIs.
Teixeira will get tough competition from the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera (.324, 34 HRs, 103 RBIs), Kendry Morales of the Angels (.306, 34 HRs, 108 RBIs), Carlos Pena of the Rays (39 HRs, 100 RBIs) and last year's winner, Justin Morneau of the Twins (.274, 30 HRs, 100 RBIs in 2009).
Mark Teixeira should definitely get it. Though his average is considerably lower than his competitors, his 39 homers and 122 RBIs are the best in the AL. I honestly don't think there's much competition. Maybe from Carlos Pena.
At second base, defending Silver Slugger winner and last season's AL MVP Dustin Pedroia (.296, 15 HRs, 72 RBIs in 2009) of the Red Sox has his hands full in a particularly strong year at the position in the AL.
The front-runner from a statistical standpoint is Toronto's Aaron Hill, who enjoyed a breakout year by hitting .286 with 36 homers and 108 RBIs, and he's no shoo-in when compared to New York's Robinson Cano (.320, 25 HRs, 85 RBIs), Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist (.291, 27 HRs, 91 RBIs), Texas' Ian Kinsler (.253, 31 HRs, 86 RBIs) and Seattle's Jose Lopez (.272, 25 HRs, 96 RBIs).
I don't really care who wins just as long as it's not Dustin Pedroia. I would love to see Robinson Cano get it, but he was just about terrible when hitting with runners in scoring position.
Third base belonged to Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees in two of the past three seasons, but a late start because of hip surgery might end up costing him the Silver Slugger. Although A-Rod hit .286 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs, Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria (.281, 33 HRs, 113 RBIs) might take the Silver Slugger, or it could go to Michael Young of the Rangers, who hit .322 with 22 homers and 68 RBIs.
As much as I love Michael Young, there's no way that his going to get it. This is going to be a battle to the end for Alex Rodriguez and Evan Longoria. Rodriguez put up just as impressive numbers as Longoria despite missing the first month of the season.
Last year's Silver Slugger-winning outfielders in the AL were Josh Hamilton, Carlos Quentin and Grady Sizemore, but because of injuries and underperformance, there will likely be a new trio this year.
Boston's Jason Bay (.267, 36 HRs, 119 RBIs), Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki (.352, 11 HRs, 46 RBIs) and Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer (.276, 32 HRs, 94 RBIs) have good chances, as do Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo (.300, 20 HRs, 86 RBIs), all three Angels outfielders (Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera), Baltimore's Nick Markakis (.293, 18 HRs, 101 RBIs), Nelson Cruz of Texas (.260, 33 HRs, 76 RBIs) and New York's Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon.
I thought it was pretty funny how Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon were added at the end. There's noo way either of them will get one. As for who will? I have no blanking idea.
I was pretty surprised that Jayson Werth isn't mentioned. His average is low (.268) but did hit 36 HRs and 99 RBIs. I thought that he should have been at least considered. Oh well.
If I had to randomly guess I would say, Jason Bay, Michael Cuddyer, and Jayson Werth Nelson Cruz. But that's just a guess.
At designated hitter, Toronto's Adam Lind has a very good shot at his first Silver Slugger after batting .305 with 35 homers and 114 RBIs in his first full big league season. He'll get competition from Minnesota's Jason Kubel (.300, 28 HRs, 103 RBIs), New York's World Series MVP Hideki Matsui (.274, 28 HRs, 90 RBIs) and Boston's David Ortiz (.238, 28 HRs, 99 RBIs).
Oh look, it's another Yankee!! You have to admit though, Adam Lind has much better numbers. I don't see David Ortiz winning this year.
My final predictions:
C - Joe Mauer
1B - Mark Teixiera
2B - Aaron Hill
3B - Alex Rodriguez
SS - Derek Jeter
OF - Jayson Werth Nelson Cruz
OF - Torii Hunter
OF - Jason Bay
DH - Adam Lind
We'll see if I'm right...
Update 2:01 PM: Apparently I had a brain fart. As you all should know, Jayson Werth is a Phillie and the Phillies are in the National League. I have no idea WHY I thought he played in the American League. It was clearly a brain malfunction.
Nevertheless, he's still a top contender for one of the three NL outfield awards.
.... Ryan Braun of Milwaukee (.320, 32 HRs, 114 RBIs) should headline a deep field of contenders that also includes Washington's Adam Dunn (38 HRs, 105 RBIs), Philadelphia's Jayson Werth (.268, 36 HRs, 99 RBIs) and Raul Ibanez (.272, 34 HRs, 93 RBIs), the Dodgers' Andre Ethier (.272, 31 HRs, 106 RBIs) and Matt Kemp (.297, 26 HRs, 101 RBIs) and Houston's Carlos Lee (.300, 26 HRs, 102 RBIs).
