Predicting the MLB award winners heading into the 2023 season

Soto enters the season as the NL MVP favorite despite a down year in 2022. It should be noted his "down year" was still a .853 OPS and league-leading 135 walks. Soto has been tearing the cover off the ball in Spring Training and the WBC and is entering his age-24 season with three consecutive Silver Sluggers. The Padres star is ripe to add an MVP Award to his mantle.

It takes something truly extraordinary to deny the two-way playing Ohtani the AL MVP, as we saw last year with 60-plus home runs from Aaron Judge. Ohtani enters a walk year and has been displaying his greatness for all the world to see in the WBC. He is a clear favorite to win his second MVP in three years.

Scherzer made only 23 starts last season due to an oblique injury but seems to be on a mission this spring as he enters his age-38 season. The three-time Cy Young winner has an incredible 2.78 ERA since 2013 and, aside from some recent nagging injuries, has shown little sign of slowing down.

For all the accolades Cole has claimed in his career, he's still yet to win a Cy Young. Cole has finished in the top 10 in voting six times, including twice since 2019, and led the AL in strikeouts last season. He's one of the few pitchers in baseball capable of tallying 200-plus innings these days, and his role couldn't be more important this year with the Yankees already nursing rotation injuries.

Carroll maintains rookie eligibility despite a strong showing late last season, posting a .830 OPS in 32 games. He can do it all on the field, gifted both offensively and defensively, with truly elite speed on the basepaths. The new MLB rules should play to Carroll's strengths as he legs out infield singles and swipes bases, and he also has enough power to make an impression.

Henderson has been pressing this spring, but that shouldn't significantly hurt his Rookie of the Year candidacy. The elite prospect fell just short of exhausting rookie eligibility last year, hitting .259-4-18 in 34 games. He will be a major part of Baltimore's lineup, with 20-plus home run power and plus athleticism.

San Francisco predictably regressed last season after winning 107 games in 2021. They've made several under-the-radar moves in the offseason, including the additions of Michael Conforto, Mitch Haniger, Ross Stripling, and Sean Manaea, making a roster with immense depth. As usual, it's a perfect make-up for Kapler's analytical preferences of platoons, and the depth could make improvement foolproof. Challenging the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West could be enough to win Kapler the award for the second time in three years.

The Angels haven't found much success with elite stars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, but incremental moves and improvement from several young players could change the tune. The team enters the season with a deep starting rotation and a powerful lineup with few weaknesses. If they can finally stay healthy, the Angels could be on a cusp of a Wild Card spot under Nevin after he was promoted last year.

Minasian's squad has struggled in the two seasons since he was named GM, but the offseason additions of Hunter Renfroe, Brandon Drury, and Tyler Anderson filled major holes. If the Angels bullpen can find itself a closer, the team has a good shot of making the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and putting Minasian under consideration for an award.

Tatis Jr. is turning the page on a lost season, including a motorcycle accident and PEDs suspension that prevented him from appearing in an MLB game. It won't take much for him to win the Comeback Player Award, as we saw Tatis Jr. become one of the game's top stars in his first three seasons. Leading the NL in home runs again as he did in 2021 would be optimistic, but Tatis Jr. has the ability for a huge season in a loaded Padres lineup.

Sale has seen one injury after another over the last four seasons, many of the freak variety. He entered Spring Training healthy and in a walk year and has looked like his old self when on the mound. It's all about staying healthy for Sale, who could be easy money for the Comeback Player Award if it happens.

Williams was promoted to the closer role last season after the Brewers traded Josh Hader and shined in the process. A full season in the closer role could be all Williams needs to win Reliever of the Year after posting a 1.84 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 141.2 innings over the last three seasons.

Duran had a jaw-dropping arrival with Minnesota last season and will be looking to build on that success. His triple-digit fastball netted 89 strikeouts in 67.2 innings, and Duran could have a chance for more save opportunities after converting eight saves last season. A 100-strikeout season and 20 saves is an attainable bar for him to cross and win the reliever award in the process.

At this point, it would be an upset if Arenado didn't win the Platinum Glove after winning it six consecutive times. Of course, it's expected that Arenado's range will deteriorate in his 30s, but the advanced metrics show he's doing just fine.

Chapman's defense has slightly slowed down to injury in recent seasons, though Chapman has still won three Gold Gloves since 2018. He won the Platinum Glove twice with Oakland and could rebound to elite another year removed from hip issues.

Ohtani is the two-time defending award winner, and there's no clear candidate to unseat the superstar if he's healthy. It's difficult to see how Ohtani could perform much better, hitting 80 home runs over the last two seasons.

Alonso has the power to put a team on his back in a playoff series, and he will likely get the opportunity this year with New York's loaded roster. The big first baseman delivered in his first postseason last year, going 3-for-10 with a home run.

Franco's star has dimmed after an injury-plagued 2022 season, but he's capable of being one of the game's top offensive players when he's healthy. The Rays could be under the radar this season despite great depth and a loaded pitching staff, and a healthy Franco could push them to new heights. Franco has played in the last two postseasons, going 8-for-28 with two home runs in six games.

Lindor is one of the Mets leaders and has World Series experience with Cleveland. His strong postseason track record includes six home runs in 28 games, and the dynamic shortstop will be key if the Mets are to go on a playoff run. With a loaded pitching staff led by Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and a deep lineup, the team certainly has the talent to win it all.