The Cubs are all over MLB’s major award finalist lists.
Although they have no entrant this year in the Rookie of the Year Group (it was awfully strong this year, though Willson Contreras could plausibly be in the top 10), the Cubs have at least one finalist in all of the MVP, Manager, and Cy Young races.
I say “at least one” because the Cubs have two of the three Cy Young finalists: Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester. Max Scherzer is the other finalist.
Kris Bryant is your obvious NL MVP finalist, together with Daniel Murphy and Corey Seager.
Bryant, who was the NL Rookie of the Year last year, already claimed the Hank Aaron award for the NL’s best offensive player. Bryant slashed .292/.385/.554 this year, with 39 home runs, 121 runs scored, and 102 RBI. Throw in his defensive value and versatility, and excellent base running, and he seems like a lock for NL MVP honors this year. He’d certainly get my vote.
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Joe Maddon got the nod in the NL managerial group, together with Dusty Baker and Dave Roberts. Maddon won the award last year, his first season with the Cubs.
The full list of finalists is below, together with the date for the announcements (which will air live on MLB Network).
NL Rookie of the Year (November 14)
AL Rookie of the Year (November 14)
NL Manager of the Year (November 15)
AL Manager of the Year (November 15)
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NL Cy Young (November 16)
AL Cy Young (November 16)
NL MVP (November 17)
AL MVP (November 17)