by Dayn Perry

Updated: July 16, 2008, 5:40 PM EST 268 comments

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So in that spirit of reflection, let's hand out some first-half hardware to the individuals who merit it. These aren't predictions for who's actually going to wind up hoisting these trophies in the end, rather, it's a rundown of who would deserve the awards were the season to end today. Onward ...

AL MVP — Ian Kinsler, Rangers

First, a few quick words on MVP criteria. The imbecilic idea that the MVP must come from a contending team is based on neither common sense nor the official ballot instructions given to voters. The only objective standard is to give the MVP to — novelty of novelties — the best damn player. It's certainly appropriate to evaluate his performance in clutch situations, but when you hold him accountable for his team's position in the standings, what you're doing, in essence, is penalizing or rewarding him for how his teammates are doing. Doing that betrays a child's grasp of the process. So in this space we give the MVP award to the best player, not an inferior player whose lucky enough to have better guys wearing the same laundry. Anyhow ...

Josh Hamilton gets most of the press in Arlington these days, but Kinsler has been the better player. Kinsler isn't an optimal defender, but he does man a key, up-the-middle position. In part, that positional scarcity is what makes his season to date so special. The average major-league second baseman this season is hitting .274 AVG/.337 OBP/.409 SLG, while Kinsler has authored a batting line of .332 AVG/.393 OBP/.541 SLG (he's also on pace for 54 doubles and 24 homers). Clutch performance? Kinsler's batting .344 with runners on and .405 with runners in scoring position. Oh, and he's also 23 out of 24 in the steals department. That kind of production from a second baseman is rare indeed.

Runner-Up: Grady Sizemore, Indians

NL MVP — Hanley Ramirez, Marlins

Ramirez, while not as bad as, say, Derek Jeter, isn't much with the glove, but he's improved this season. It's his bat that makes him the NL MVP, though. Despite playing half his games in a pitcher-friendly environment, Ramirez is hitting .313 AVG/.393 OBP/.569 SLG, and he ranks fourth in the NL in home runs and second in times on base. That's exceptional production for any player, let along one that mans the shortstop position. That's also why he's the MVP.

Runner-Up: Lance Berkman, Astros

AL Cy Young — Cliff Lee, Indians

Lee has been one of the few bright spots for the Tribe this season. He's second in the AL in ERA, and he's given up just two unearned runs on the year. To boot, he's fifth in the league in innings, seventh in strikeouts, and second in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Perhaps most impressive is that the lefty has coughed up just five home runs in 124.2 innings. Why no mention of Lee's league-leading win total? Because won-loss totals say very a little about a pitcher's true level of performance. Ignore them.

Runner-Up: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays

NL Cy Young — Ben Sheets, Brewers

Evan Longoria gets Dayn Perry's vote for AL Rookie of the Year. (Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images)

Sheets has finally been healthy this season, and the results have followed. In the NL, only Jake Peavy has a lower RA (Run Average — a better measure than ERA because it takes into account unearned runs), and Sheets also ranks in the top five in innings and strikeout-to-walk ratio and leads the league in complete games. Oh, and he's doing it all while pitching his home games in a park that modestly benefits hitters.

Runner-Up: Tim Lincecum, Giants

AL Rookie of the Year — Evan Longoria, Rays

Because the Rays wanted to delay the start of Longoria's service-time clock, they didn't call him up until the 11th game of the season. Despite the missed time, though, Longoria has accumulated enough value to garner him RotY honors. Defensively, he's been better than advertised, and the 40 extra-base hits and the solid OBP prove that his bat is as good as advertised. He's still just 22 years of age, so there's plenty more to come.

Runner-Up: Greg Smith, A's

NL Rookie of the Year — Geovany Soto, Cubs

It's a tougher call than you might think between Soto and the pitcher named below. However, Soto's defensive skills and power stroke earn him the nod. He's hitting .288 AVG/.370 OBP/.526 SLG, and he's on pace for 74 extra-base hits--all great numbers for someone who ably mans the catcher position and who's been quite durable thus far in 2008.

Runner-Up: Jair Jurrjens, Braves

AL Manager of the Year — Joe Maddon, Rays

No debate permitted. The Rays lost 96 games and finished in last place a year ago, but this season Maddon has brought the young roster together and guided them to the best record in the American League. We knew the Rays would be improved but not to this drastic extent. In part, that's a credit to Maddon's steady leadership and cool glasses.

Runner-Up: Bob Geren, A's

NL Manager of the Year — Tony La Russa, Cardinals

Coming into 2008, expectations were low for the St. Louis Cardinals. They were coming off their first losing campaign since 1999, and the roster was mostly a patchwork of retreads and reclamation projects. Well, at this writing the Cards, despite toiling in the NL's toughest division, lead the wild-card chase. After the Cubs' and Brewers' recent trades, the odds remain against St. Louis, but the underdog role seems to suit them quite nicely. It all starts with the best manager in the game today.

Runner-Up: Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins