The Toaster takes a quick look at some of the contenders for a few awards in the American League.

AMERICAN LEAGUE BEST POSITION PLAYER

Alex B:   Miguel Tejada
Alex C:   Miguel Tejada
Cliff:    Hideki Matsui
Derek:    Mark Teixeira
Jon:      Vladimir Guerrero
Ken:      Manny Ramirez
Mike:     Gary Sheffield
Scott:    Gary Sheffield
Will:     Alex Rodriguez/Eric Chavez

author notes

Jon: I still don't think Guerrero has maxed out his potential. That plus West Coast bias could kick the MVP award back to him.

Alex B: I've been a huge fan of Tejada's since I read "Away Games," which chronicled his rise through the Oakland system. Anchoring a good line up, plus playing in Camden Yards should mean another monster year.

Mike: Sheffield was one of the best players in the AL in 2004. And that was an "off" year.

Derek: I have no good reason for choosing Teixeira--just a little tickle in the back of my brain that tells me he's going to blow up.


AMERICAN LEAGUE BEST PITCHER

Alex B:   Curt Schilling
Alex C:   Roy Halladay
Cliff:    Johan Santana
Derek:    Rich Harden
Jon:      Johan Santana
Ken:      Johan Santana
Mike:     Johan Santana
Scott:    Johan Santana
Will:     Rich Harden

author notes

Derek: Again with the tickle in the brain. I really should get that looked at.

Jon: I don't really see a challenger to Santana whose health I trust.

Mike: Johan was so much better than anyone else last year. How can you pass him up?

Scott: Santana and the Big Unit are a step above all other starters.

Alex C: Picking Johnson or Santana seems too easy. Where did all the great pitchers go in the AL? I'm picking Halladay in an upset. He's only a year from having been the best AL pitcher, and I think he'd going to retake his rightful crown.


AMERICAN LEAGUE BEST ROOKIE

Alex B:   Dallas McPherson
Alex C:   Dallas McPherson
Cliff:    Jeremy Reed
Derek:    Nick Swisher
Jon:      Mark Teahen
Ken:      Felix Hernandez
Mike:     Dallas McPherson
Scott:    Dallas McPherson
Will:     Ian Kinsler

author notes

Cliff: Reed could be hurt by playing in Safeco, but if Kenny Williams traded him, he has to be the real deal (see the Pirates rotation).

Alex C: I think McPherson wins mostly because of playing time, and because he'll outslug his class. I'm tempted to go with Felix Hernandez, though, thinking he'll pull a Roy Oswalt and take the league by storm after a callup.

Jon: McPherson's back is a concern. I almost went with Kazmir, but figured pitching uphill with the Devil Rays will overwhelm him. Teahen's got the opportunity to stand out.

Scott: McPherson and Teahen will have similar stats, but playing on a good team (Angels) trumps playing on the Royals. Oh, and let me add: If the White Sox bring up Brandon McCarthy, he wins the AL Rookie of the Year.

Derek: I might have gone with Dallas McPherson, but when I saw that the Angel's official site was touting them as "The A Team," I re-chose out of spite. Oh, and I think Swisher will be pretty good, too.