It wouldn't be award season without controversy. After MLB Network unveiled the finalists for baseball's four prestigious individual honors, the names left off the list are even more compelling.

Let the debates begin. 

The Baseball Writers Association of America has officially announced the finalists for the four major awards in both the American and National Leagues that will be handed out over the week of November 11. 

This is still a new process for MLB, with the BBWAA naming finalists for the first time last year before handing out the hardware.

Let the debates begin. 

The Players' Choice Awards were handed out on Monday night, but those were really just the appetizer to the main meal that is the Baseball Writers Association of America awards. 

The official winners won't be announced until the start of next week, but on Tuesday, the BBWAA gave us an early look at the three finalists for each award.

Let's take a look—and remember to play nice.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they won't give pitcher Josh Johnson a qualifying offer, which means Johnson is now an unrestricted free agent.

This may well be an opportunity for the San Diego Padres.

The Boston Red Sox held their World Series victory parade Saturday, and Mike Napoli kept the party going into the night. He had a stint bartending at some point and was spotted walking the streets shirtless, likely pretty drunk, with what looks like a cigarette in his mouth. 

Way to go, Mike—you've earned it.

In years past we've seen plenty of pitchers sign big-time free-agent deals only to fizzle with their new teams. Names like Barry Zito and Mike Hampton come to mind when thinking of starters who didn't live up their albatross contracts, and teams will be trying to avoid similar situations this offseason.

The Red Sox celebrated their 2013 World Series title with a parade throughout Boston, which included a nice ride on the city's famous duck boats. 

And Jake Peavy must have been feeling really good because he bought the duck boat that he and his family rode on! 

Red Sox versus Yankees. Cardinals versus Cubs. Cowboys versus Redskins. Duke versus North Carolina. The list of great rivalries in American sports is endless.

The St. Louis Cardinals are sure to be wheeling and dealing this offseason.

The 2013 World Series exposed some of their weaknesses—namely production from the bottom of the order and a thin bench. And it's been clear throughout the season that Pete Kozma is probably not a long-term answer at shortstop.

Luckily, they have one of the most enviable farm systems in all of baseball. But are there bigger names who may become trade bait to help fill in the blanks?

Following their victory in Game 5 of the World Series, the Boston Red Sox are now just one win away from clinching their third World Series title in the past 10 years.

The remainder of the series will be played at Fenway Park, and the Red Sox would ideally like to close things out during Game 6. However, the St. Louis Cardinals are a strong opponent, and they are more than capable of winning two difficult road games.

There are a number of keys to World Series Game 6 that will have an impact if we see a decisive Game 7.