Jeter’s lackluster offensive campaign (by his standards) has opened the door for others to contend, potentially ending his streak of four straight Silver Slugger awards. It’s not a given, however.
Including the great Jeter debate, we break down the candidates at each position in both leagues for you below, and offer up predictions for each winner:
American League
Catcher: Joe Mauer, Twins — Apologies go out to Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez, who loses by a nose. Although Martinez had 20 home runs to Mauer’s nine and also owned four more RBIs in fewer at-bats, Mauer paced the position in any other relevant category. He hit 25 points higher than Martinez, scored 24 more runs and led all AL catchers in singles, doubles and walks.
First base: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers — The MVP candidate led the league in RBIs with 126 and on-base percentage with a .420 clip. He was second in batting average, slugging, OPS, runs and total bases. Paul Konerko had a nice season, but Cabrera was supreme.
Second base: Robinson Cano, Yankees — The Gold Glove winner at second for the first time, Cano should take home his second Silver Slugger Award without a problem. Among the qualified players at the position, nobody came close to Cano’s .319 average, 200 hits, 109 RBIs and 103 runs scored. The absence of Dustin Pedroia, the winner in 2008, certainly helped. Pedey was on pace for 25 homers, over 50 doubles and nearly 90 RBIs before getting hurt.
Shortstop: Alexei Ramirez, White Sox — It’s not as cut and dry as you all think. Jeter could just as easily win this award and frankly it would be a sound choice. He outpaced Ramirez in hits, singles, doubles, triples, runs (by 28), walks (by 36), stolen bases and on-base percentage. Ramirez gets the nod for having an edge in each of the three Triple Crown categories but don’t be surprised to see Jeter take home some more hardware.
Third base: Adrian Beltre, Red Sox — If Toronto’s Jose Bautista played a few more games at third base he could give Beltre a run for his money, but Adrian was the best of a pretty impressive bunch at the hot corner. Alex Rodriguez and Evan Longoria beat out Beltre in RBIs and A-Rod had more homers, but Beltre’s .321 average was far and away the best at the position and his consistency was remarkable. He hit in every month of the year, hammered lefties and righties and produced at home and on the road. Nobody in baseball had more doubles than Beltre’s 49.
Outfield: Josh Hamilton, Rangers — The AL’s leading hitter with a .359 clip, Hamilton was a Triple Crown contender until injuries slowed him down the stretch. He still finished with 32 homers, 100 RBIs and also led the league in slugging and OPS.
Outfield: Bautista — He hit 54 home runs. Again, that’s 54 home runs.
Outfield: Carl Crawford, Rays — This award usually goes to sluggers with gaudy numbers rather than speed demons, but Crawford provided some punch (19 homers, 90 RBIs) to go along with his .307 average and 46 steals. He led the league in triples for the fourth time with a total of 13. Others in contention for this third spot include Minnesota’s Delmon Young (.298, 21 HR, 112 RBIs), New York’s Nick Swisher (.288, 29, 89) and Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki (.315, 42 SB).
National League
Catcher: Buster Posey, Giants – His name suggests a villain in a Dashiell Hammett thriller. He’s more of a bad guy for opposing pitchers to face. The rookie hit .305 with 18 homers and 67 RBIs in 108 games for the World Series champs.
First base: Albert Pujols, Cardinals — One might think Pujols has a stranglehold on this but he’s won it just three times. He has stiff competition once again in Cincinnati star Joey Votto. However, while Votto outhit Pujols .324 to .312, the Cardinals first baseman led the way in hits, home runs, RBIs, runs and walks. It’s close, but let’s give this one to the old guard.
Second base: Dan Uggla, Marlins — A potential target for the Red Sox, Uggla had his best year with a .287 average, 33 homers and 105 RBIs.
Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies– He was our pick to win the Gold Glove and is a good bet to unseat two-time defending champ Hanley Ramirez. Tulowitzki outpaced Ramirez in the Triple Crown categories and a phenomenal September which saw him hit 14 homers in 15 games is fresh in the minds of the managers and coaches who vote.
Third base: David Wright, Mets — There are several candidates for this one, but we’ll give it to Wright simply because the Mets need some love right now. Wright beat out fellow favorite Ryan Zimmerman in home runs, RBIs and runs scored.
Outfield: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies — CarGo flirted with a Triple Crown in a breakout year in Denver. He’ll also have a shot at the MVP.
Outfield: Matt Holliday, Cardinals — It seemed to be a quiet season for Holliday, but he was second to Gonzalez among NL outfielders with a .312 average and ranked third in homers (28) and RBIs (103).
Outfield: Ryan Braun, Brewers — Although teammate Corey Hart outhomered Braun 31-25, the latter hit 21 points higher and had more RBIs. Like Uggla, Braun is a guy Red Sox fans should keep their eye on.
