MLB Awards Watch: The final ballot

American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) of the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting a lead off home run against the National League during the first inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Handing out MLB awards following another long season.

With six full months of evidence, we’ve come to the end.

The 2015 MLB regular season was an adventure from start to finish, featuring some spectacular individual performances and teams that seemingly emerged from nowhere to put on a real show. In this space each week, our task has been to evaluate the league’s six major award races. Throughout the season there has been a great deal of flux within each of the categories.

Today it’s time for a “final ballot” of sorts, and it does not come without effort. In some cases (read: most cases), there is a need to nitpick in a big way, differentiating between fantastic performances with the use of both standard and “advanced” metrics. To be honest, it is a virtual certainty that more old-school voters and fans will not agree with the sentiments posted here, but that is what makes baseball (and sports) great in that differing opinions and viewpoints can be taken into account.

From Rookie of the Year to Cy Young and MVP honors, the players listed in this space were the best of the best in 2015, and they should be commended as such.

Flame away.

Next: NL Rookie of the Year

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