Predicting the award winners for the 2024 MLB season

The reigning NL MVP has an excellent chance to repeat with a loaded Braves team and leadoff positioning in the lineup. Acuna led the NL in several major categories last season, including on-base percentage, OPS, hits, runs, and stolen bases, and has an excellent shot to do it again if he stays healthy.

Soto is out to prove his worth literally, as he heads into a walk year. The new Yankee is perennially near the top of the OBP rankings and will have excellent protection in the New York lineup with Aaron Judge helping. After setting a career-high with 35 home runs last season, Soto could be set for a monster campaign.

Strider finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting last season, though most saber-minded fans would agree he's the best healthy pitcher baseball has to offer. He easily led the league with 281 strikeouts and has added a curveball to his repertoire for 2024. If Strider's ERA falls more in line with his metrics, he should win hardware.

Burnes gets a change of scenery after he was traded from Milwaukee to Baltimore. With the change comes a more favorable home ballpark and a league that isn't as familiar with his nasty cutter.  Burnes is looking to win his second Cy Young before heading into free agency.

Yamamoto dominated in Japan, and has already started to turn heads this spring. He could be the Dodgers new ace with Clayton Kershaw sidelined to start the season, and is a heavy favorite to win NL ROY.

Carter leads an impressive class of AL rookies, with former first-round picks Wyatt Langford and Jackson Holliday among those in contention. He set the baseball world on fire in September and the playoffs, hitting above .300 with great power and speed, and looks to build on those numbers over a full season.

Counsell was often credited with Milwaukee's ability to overachieve in recent seasons, and the Cubs hope he can do the same for them. He was given a huge contract, and the team has massive expectations after re-signing Cody Bellinger in Spring Training.

Hinch is a former World Series winner in Houston but has yet to have a winning season over three years in Detroit. That could change quickly as the Tigers top prospects continue to break through, along with the emergence of Spencer Torkelson and Tarik Skubal. With a roster that looks more complete this season, Detroit could compete in the weak AL Central.

The Executive of the Year is likely Friedman's to lose after an incredible offseason. His body of work includes the additions of Shohei Ohtani, Yosinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, among others. 

Diaz tore his ACL in horrific fashion during last year's World Baseball Classic, but he arrived in 2024 with a clean bill of health. The former top closer might not have as many games to save this season for a Mets team that's seemingly in a mini rebuild, but he has a clear path to the Comeback Player award.

Returning from Tommy John surgery that kept Paddack out for nearly two seasons, he has a lot to prove. The former Padres top prospect was an ace upon his arrival, with a 3.33 ERA in 26 starts during 2019, but his stuff has dwindled since then. A surgical tune-up could be what Paddack needs to get back on track.

The Brewers will be counting on their bullpen heavily after trading Corbin Burnes and losing Brandon Woodruff to injury. Williams won Reliever of the Year last season with the help of his nasty changeup, and has a great chance to repeat.

Clase showed some regression last season after breaking out of the gate slowly, but he was back on track by the end of the 2023 season. His nasty sinker prevents hard contact, and Clase is capable of missing enough bats to get back atop AL relievers as he was in 2022.

Doyle was widely considered the best defensive outfielder in the game upon his promotion last season, and won a Gold Glove despite an in-season call-up. He has a great chance to win the Platinum Glove with a full MLB season ahead of him.

Varsho is getting more comfortable as a full-time outfielder after splitting time between catcher and the outfield in Arizona. He got work in left and center for the Jays last season, but the possibility of more work in center field would allow Varsho's defense to shine more often.

Ohtani might eventually have the DH Award named after him, now on a streak of three consecutive wins. He has a change of scenery with the Dodgers, and the terrific lineup around Ohtani could make his quest to winning the award easier.

The Dodgers won't be satisfied with their 2024 season unless they win a World Series, and Freeman is historically one of the best playoff performers on the roster. He has an outstanding .914 OPS in the playoffs for his career and could guide the Dodgers to a World Series.

The Yankees' offseason additions make them one of the AL favorites, and Judge is arguably the best hitter in the game when healthy. While he's seen some struggles in the playoffs during his career, Judge's power can put the team on his back.

With all the Dodgers stars, some might forget about Smith. He's arguably the best catcher in the game, making his first All-Star appearance last season and hitting at least 19 home runs in three consecutive seasons. LA hopes the best is yet to come in their all-in season.