And the Winner Is...: Your 2009 American League Award Recipients

Next week, MLB will announce its award winners for the 2009 regular season. I think it is time to take a look at who the award winners may be.

The American League

Gold Glove Winners

Outfield : Curtis Granderson, Adam Jones, Torii Hunter. I'm guessing Hunter will win another gold glove in part from his reputation, but also from his .997 fielding percentage. Granderson and Jones are considered two of the top young outfielders. Granderson is one of only two outfielders (Franklin Gutierrez) to have over 400 total chances and 400 put outs.

Jones put together a strong defensive season tied for fourth in the AL in total chances and seventh in put outs. All three players made a number of highlight reel catches, which boosts their chances.

3B : Brandon Inge. I believe Inge is overdue for this award. Inge led the American league in total chances and put outs. Inge gets charged with a large number of errors, but he is able to get to the balls that no one else in the league can reach. Evan Longoria and Chone Figgins are also possible candidates.

SS : Erick Aybar. Aybar ranks in the top of the AL in total chances, put outs, double plays, and fielding percentage. Marco Scutaro is another possible selection.

2B : To me this comes down to Placido Polanco, and Aaron Hill. Polanco has fewer errors and a slightly higher fielding percentage. Polanco wins another gold glove.

1B : There are three first baseman that are worthy (in my opinion) of a gold glove: Mark Teixeira, Miguel Cabrera, and Kendry Morales.  Morales had the most chances and put outs, Cabrera the most assists, Teixeira had the fewest errors and therefore the highest fielding percentage. Teixeira wins, but just barely.

C : I may seem biased as a Tigers fan but in terms of defense I think Gerald Laird just barely edges out Kurt Suzuki. I give Laird the edge based on his handling of Verlander, Jackson, and Porcello (all three had career years, and yes I know Porcello is a rookie), the number of runners he was able to gun down, and a slightly higher fielding percentage.

P : Mark Buehrle. Most chances, most assists, most double plays, and a high fielding percentage.

CY Young

As a Tigers fan I am hoping Verlander somehow manages to win it. I think the CY Young award will come down to one of these four players: Verlander, CC Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, and Zach Greinke. Verlander, Sabathia, and Hernandez led the league with 19 victories. Verlander led the league in innings pitched and strike outs.

Greinke lead the league with a 2.16 ERA. Hernandez and Sabathia are among the league leaders in all the major categories. I think this race comes down to Greinke and Verlander. For me the low ERA, high strikeout total (second), and high win total on a bad team gives Greinke the edge.

Silver Slugger

C : Joe Mauer (.365, 28HR, 96 RBI)

1B : Mark Teixeira (.292, 39HR, 122 RBI)

2B : Aaron Hill (.286, 36HR, 108 RBI)

SS : Derek Jeter (.334, 18 HR, 66 RBI)

3B : Evan Longoria (.281, 33 HR, 113 RBI)

OF : Jason Bay (.267, 36 HR, 119 RBI)

OF : Bobby Abreu (.293, 30 SB, 103 RBI)

OF : Michael Cuddyer (.276 32 HR, 94 RBI)

DH : Adam Lind (.305, 35 HR, 114 RBI)

AL MVP : Mark Teixeira

AL ROY : Rick Porcello

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com