2008 All-MLB Teams

It's playoff time again in the MLB, and this year's postseason seems to have an unusual feel. For the first time in over a decade, New York will have no representatives. Instead we have teams such as the playoff-virgins of Tampa Bay, and the Milwaukee Brewers, who haven't seen October baseball since 1982. The new blood makes for an intriguing field of teams when you combine them with mainstay clubs like the defending champion Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels, who had the best record in the majors.
Earlier in the week, before the playoffs began, I typed up an in-depth preview of the Division Series matchups, only to have my internet give out as it neared completion. I was able to save my award predictions, and had another thought for a new idea. I've always wondered why MLB has no type of All-Star recognition at the end of the season, such as the NFL with it's All-Pro teams and the NBA with it's All-NBA rosters. In baseball, All-Stars are selected mid-season and those players don't always maintain that level of success over a full 162 games. Often times, due to the popularity influence when allowing fans to vote, players that are selected are not truly deserving (see: Jason Varitek). So after a full season of baseball and a good amount of research, I have compiled a full season All-Star roster for both the AL and the NL. I have provided a starting nine (or eight in the case of the NL), along with five starting pitchers and two closers for each league. If you compare these rosters to the mid-season All-Star teams, I think you will find some significant differences. Without further ado, here are your 2008 All-MLB teams:

AL:
C- Joe Mauer, MIN: Although Mauer's power numbers could improve, the AL batting champ is clearly the class of the AL.
1B- Justin Morneau, MIN: Morneau and Mauer are the two biggest reasons the Twins compete every year. Morneau is an RBI-machine, and barely edges out Boston's Kevin Youkilis.
2B- Dustin Pedroia, BOS: An incredible year for Pedroia proved that he's more than just a spark-plug. He led the AL in several major hitting categories, and finished second to Mauer in the batting title race.
3B- Evan Longoria, TB: Expect better things to come from this rookie who snatched this spot from A-Rod. He's probably Tampa's best player already.
SS- Derek Jeter, NYY: Say what you will about DJ getting older, but the Yankee Captain still led all AL shortshop's in batting average and on-base percentage. He's also quickly approaching 3,000 career hits and will likely go well beyond that.
LF- Carlos Quentin, CHW: The White Sox could really use this guy for the playoffs (out with a broken wrist) who had a major breakout season. Quentin went from a fourth outfielder to an All-Star, finishing second in the AL in home runs while registering only 480 at-bats.
CF- Josh Hamilton, TEX: Although Hamilton's production dropped off after the All-Star break, he still led the AL in RBIs with 130. The sky is the limit for the former #1 pick (if only the Rangers could acquire some pitching).
RF- Magglio Ordonez, DET: Last year' s batting champ quietly had a very good year for the underachieving Tigers. He led all AL outfielders in batting average while only striking out 76 times, which is very good for a run producing, middle of the lineup type of player.
DH- Aubrey Huff, BAL: While Huff played some games in the field for the Orioles, he was primarily a DH and had himself quite a season. A .304 batting average, along with 32 homers and 108 RBIs will likely earn Huff a big payday.

Pitchers:
SP- Cliff Lee, CLE: He went 22-3 on a team that only won 81 games. Enough said.
SP- Roy Halladay, TOR: A case could be made that Halladay has been the AL's most consistent pitcher over the past few seasons.
SP- Mike Mussina, NYY: The lone bright spot in an otherwise sorry Yankee rotation. The Moose finally got the 20-win season he deserved.
SP- Ervin Santana, LAA: A huge bounce back year for Santana who took on the role of L.A.'s ace early in the year when John Lackey was out.
SP- Jon Lester, BOS: Has developed into a shutdown pitcher for the Red Sox, highlighting his amazing year with a no-hitter in May.
CL- Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: Broke the all-time single season saves record in a contract year. Cha-Ching.
CL- Mariano Rivera, NYY: An almost perfect year for Rivera who proved he's still the best in the game by converting 39 of 40 save opportunities.

NL:
C- Brian McCann, ATL: Quietly was one of the few Braves' to have a good year. Led all NL catchers in batting average and home runs.
1B- Albert Pujols, STL: An absolute monster year for Pujols (surprised?) who carried the Cardinals on his back and into playoff contention.
2B- Chase Utley, PHI: Started the year red-hot and looked as if he would break all kinds of second baseman records, but even though he cooled off he still proved he's the best in the game at his position.
3B- Aramis Ramirez, CHC: Had an excellent year while leading the first place Cubs in RBIs with 111. This could have been the Mets' David Wright's spot had he performed better down the stretch.
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLA: Expect Hanley to earn this distinction for years to come. He's approaching the Pujols/A-Rod class.
LF- Manny Ramirez, LAD: Manny makes it three straight Ramirez's. Although he did not play the entire season with the Dodgers, his impact was unlike anything we've seen. He made them a playoff team while hitting nearly .400.
CF- Nate McLouth, PIT: McLouth does everything well. As a leadoff hitter for most of the year he still managed to hit 26 home runs and drive in 94 runs. Add 23 stolen bases, an NL-leading 46 doubles, and great defense and you've got the makings of a star.
RF- Ryan Ludwick, STL: Another name who if you saw at the beginning of the year would have you scratching your head. Ludwick hit 37 home runs while benefiting from being apart of the same lineup as Pujols.

Pitchers:
SP- C.C. Sabathia, MIL: Was nothing short of dominate after coming over from Cleveland. The Brewers could not have made the playoffs without him and his partiality for throwing complete games.
SP- Tim Lincecum, SF: Led the NL with 265 strikeouts, almost 60 more than any other pitcher. Lincecum looked unhittable in his first full season and should be on Cy-Young watch for years to come.
SP- Brandon Webb, ARI: Much like Halladay in the AL, Webb has been the most consistent pitcher in the NL for the past few seasons. This year he led the league with 22 wins.
SP- Johan Santana, NYM: Served as the Mets' lone shining star down the stretch and became the only pitcher they could count on for a win. Took a little while to adjust to the NL, but finished strong while leading the league in ERA.
SP- Ryan Dempster, CHC: Dempster is far from the most decorated Cubs' starter, but he was their most consistent. He led a deep staff with a sub-3.00 ERA and showed that he is best suited as a starter.
CL- Brad Lidge, PHI: A change of scenery was exactly what Lidge needed, as he converted all 41 of his save opportunities and led all NL closers with a 1.95 ERA.
CL- Kerry Wood, CHC: After many injury-filled seasons, Wood finally found his role and flourished as the Cubs' closer showing he still has top-notch stuff.

Also, here's some award predictions-

AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia, BOS
While Pedroia does not fit the role of your typical MVP candidate (a la A-Rod, Big Papi, etc.), it's difficult to deny the substanial impact he has on the Red Sox on a daily basis. In part, I would choose Pedroia due to the fact that this was not a big year for many of the big guns in the AL. Miguel Cabrera led the league with 37 home runs compared to last year when A-Rod topped the AL with 54. But while it was a down year for the power guys, Pedroia managed to lead the league in runs scored, hits and doubles while finishing second in the AL batting race with a .326 average. What makes Pedroia truly the American League's most "valuable" player though are the little things he does. He is known around the league as a scrappy player, who does everything at full speed. Incredibly, he played in 157 games and only struck out 52 times. And while his teammate Kevin Youkilis deserves consideration as well, Pedroia is the one who seemed to be the pulse of the Red Sox all season.

NL MVP: Albert Pujols, STL
Pujols has cemented his place as the best player in the NL. In spring training there were talks of him needing surgery on his injured elbow, but he elected to forgo any procedure and see how the season played out. The Cardinals were not expected to content with a roster full of unknowns, but Pujols proved that as long as he is in the lineup the Cardinals will be in it. His biggest competitor for the award is probably Manny Ramirez, who was incredible in his short time with the Dodgers (sorry Ryan Howard fans, but I'd have a tough time voting for a guy who only hit .250 and struck out 200 times). And while a case could be made for Manny, Pujols' played through injury and still thrived. His numbers were outstanding (.357 AVG, 37 HR, 116 RBI), but the impact his bat had on players such as Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel was perhaps his most impressive feat.

AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee, CLE
It's hard to dispute this one. Lee led the AL in wins and ERA while playing on a team that offered little run support. He accounted for over a quarter of his team's wins with 22, and amazingly lost only 3 games. While fellow 20-game winners Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina had fine seasons, Lee came out of nowhere and dominated the AL.

NL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia, MIL
Although I am skepical about selecting a player who only played a bit more than a third of the season with his team, Sabathia's impact on the Brewers has been beyond huge. Neither of Sabathia's two biggest competitor's (Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Brandon Webb of the D-Backs) could lead their team's to the playoffs, while Sabathia almost singled-handedly dragged his across the finish line. He dominated the NL in 17 starts going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. But his impact goes way beyond his numbers. Every time the Brewers looked as if they were in trouble, Sabathia answered the call, often pitching on three days rest. He also threw an uncanny seven complete games in his short time with the team. He gave everything he had despite the risk involved due to his pending free agency, and has put himself in a position to reap the rewards.

AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, TB

NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto, CHC

AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, TB

NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, CHC

Stay tuned for Championship Series previews and predictions once the teams are set...