August 28, 1998

BP Balloting: Dave Pease's Ballot

by Dave Pease

TOP TEN TEAMS

1. New York Yankees - what can I say, these guys are awesome. The team is full of solid performers having good offensive seasons, and the pitching staff has been incredible. Bernie Williams is an injury away from being a no-brainer MVP.

2. Atlanta Braves - those Rockie imports are still playing well. Very odd. As usual, the pitching is excellent, and Lightenberg has made Wohlers' struggles a nonfactor. Andruw Jones remains an enigma. At least he can bring it with the glove...

3. San Diego Padres - both Kevin Brown and Andy Ashby have been terminators this season. In a short series, the Padres won't be fun to face this postseason. Danny Miceli and Donne Wall have been surprises setting up Hoffman, and the offense remains very good.

4. Houston Astros - the addition of Randy Johnson has addressed the main weakness of this team. Larry Dierker has done a hell of a job, and Moises Alou and Carl Everett have been pleasant surprises offensively.

5. Boston Red Sox - some questions with the staff after Pedro Martinez, but the outfield has been much better this year than could have been expected. Mo Vaughn and Nomar Garciaparra are a couple of fine hitters to be depending on.

6. Cleveland Indians - a fine bunch who is mildly underachieving this year. Bart Colon and Dwight Gooden have been much better than expected in the rotation, and getting out from under Jose Mesa was a coup.

7. New York Mets - Piazza is heating up. The strengths of this team, in particular the very deep pitching staff, don't translate well to postseason play.

8. Chicago Cubs - Gary Gaetti strengthens this team more than he should a top ten team. Grace has been predictable, Morandini has been a pleasant surprise, Wood is awesome, and Sosa is having the best power year of any non-steroid utilizer in baseball.

9. Anaheim Angels - Texas is wilting, and the Angels may just be heating up. Todd Greene and Troy Glaus will strengthen Anaheim's attack. Pitching can be brutal at times.

10. Baltimore Orioles - whowouldathunk? They're not going anywhere near the postseason, but they've played excellent ball lately. Palmeiro has been there all year, and Willie Greene was a nice pickup. Now if they'd just sit Cal down...

THREE MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAMS

1. Los Angeles Dodgers - of all the guys Fox could have handed the reins to, Tommy Lasorda was a truly terrible choice. They've underperformed and will certainly miss the playoffs, while trading away many prospects in the process--the worst of both worlds in the City of Angels.

2. Seattle Mariners - what the heck is wrong with this team? They've got a bunch of superstars on offense, and their pitching hasn't been bad enough to explain their terrible record. I'd start fresh with a new manager and GM next year.

3. Cincinnati Reds - they weren't supposed to be world- beaters, but the Reds have stunk. Rookie prospect hitters haven't had an impact, they gave up on Jon Nunally way too early, and Jack McKeon's love affair with Pokey Reese was painful to watch.

AL MVP

1. Bernie Williams, Yankees
2. Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners
3. Jim Thome, Indians
4. Pedro Martinez, Red Sox
5. Alex Rodriguez, Mariners

NL MVP

1. Mark McGwire, Cardinals
2. Jason Kendall, Pirates
3. Barry Bonds, Giants
4. Sammy Sosa, Cubs
5. Greg Maddux, Braves

AL CY YOUNG

1. Pedro Martinez, Red Sox
2. Roger Clemens, Blue Jays
3. Chuck Finley, Angels
4. Kenny Rogers, Athletics
5. Bart Colon, Indians

NL CY YOUNG

1. Greg Maddux, Braves
2. Kevin Brown, Padres
3. Tom Glavine, Braves
4. Andy Ashby, Padres
5. Al Leiter, Mets

AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1. Ben Grieve, Athletics
2. Rolando Arrojo, Devil Rays
3. Mike Caruso, White Sox

NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1. Kerry Wood, Cubs
2. Travis Lee, Diamondbacks
3. Todd Helton, Rockies

AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

1. Jimy Williams, Red Sox
2. Joe Torre, Yankees
3. Terry Collins, Angels

NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

1. Larry Dierker, Astros
2. Gene Lamont, Pirates
3. Dusty Baker, Giants

AL LEAST VALUABLE PLAYER

Joe Carter, Orioles

NL LEAST VALUABLE PLAYER

Jeff Juden, Brewers

Other Ballots
Chris Kahrl
Steven Rubio
Joe Sheehan
Greg Spira
Michael Wolverton

Dave Pease is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @davepease
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