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Just past the three-quarter mark of the 2013 MLB season, Scott Cullen digs into the numbers to make his picks for awards to this point of the season, along with Gold Gloves, All-Surprise and All-Disappointing teams: AL MVP Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit (40 HR, 120 RBI, .359 AVG, 1.133 OPS) Runners Up: Mike Trout, LF, L.A. Angels (21 HR, 78 RBI, 28 SB, .333 AVG, 1.004 OPS) Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore (45 HR, 115 RBI, .306 AVG, 1.071 OPS) Cabrera has put up numbers that would be sensational for a full season and, despite his fielding and base-running issues, his bat puts him in position to go back-to-back. Trout, who was runner-up last year, may not get as much consideration, since the Angels have been terrible, but Trout continues to be great and easily could win under different circumstances. Davis has been mashing, and has rebounded from a July slump but, even so, he has a tall order to overtake Cabrera. Adrian Beltre, Evan Longoria and Robinson Cano have been very good, but theyre not at the level of the top three. NL MVP Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati (18 HR, 58 RBI, .314 AVG, .931 OPS) Runners-up: Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona (31 HR, 100 RBI, 13 SB, .297 AVG, .945 OPS) Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh (17 HR, 71 RBI, 26 SB, .316 AVG, .901 OPS) This race has been wide open all year, though this trio of candidates may be settling in. Votto hasnt put up big counting numbers, but he gets on base like no one else (.432 OBP leads the NL). Goldschmidt has the power numbers to draw attention, is a good defender and the Diamondbacks are at least contending for a playoff spot, so no argument if he turns out to be the winner. McCutchen started the season slowly, but has been gaining steam with strong play since the beginning of July. He does play a more demanding position than the other two finalists and if the Pirates are a playoff team, it could be hard to keep McCutchen from the winners circle. AL CY YOUNG Max Scherzer, Detroit (18-1, 2.82 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 185 K, 172 1/3 IP) Runners Up: Felix Hernandez, Seattle (12-6, 2.62 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 182 K, 178 2/3 IP) Yu Darvish, Texas (12-5, 2.68 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 214 K, 161 IP) Record isnt the measure of a pitcher, so its merely good fortune that Scherzer also happens to have an 18-1 record, but strong strikeout numbers and the fewest baserunners per inning in the AL earn him the nod. Felix Hernandez had closed the gap, possibly overtaking Scherzer, before allowing 11 earned runs over his last three starts. That Yu Darvish puts up such great numbers despite pitching in Texas is a credit to him and warrants inclusion in this discussion, ahead of Chris Sale and Hiroki Kuroda. NL CY YOUNG Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles (12-7, 1.80 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 182 K, 190 1/3 IP) Runners-up: Matt Harvey, N.Y. Mets (9-4, 2.25 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 187 K, 171 1/3 IP) Adam Wainwright, St. Louis (14-7, 2.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 173 K, 189 2/3 IP) Kershaw has been ridiculously dominant, so much so that even Harvey, who has been sensational, isnt going to catch him. Wainwright has slipped lately, opening room for Jose Fernandez, Madison Bumgarner or Patrick Corbin to overtake him by seasons end. AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Leonys Martin, CF, Texas (6 HR, 31 RBI, 27 SB, .276 AVG, .724 OPS) Runners Up: Jose Iglesias, SS/3B, Boston (2 HR, 23 RBI, .321 AVG, .765 OPS) Dan Straily, LHP, Oakland (6-7, 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 92 K, 113 IP) The American League rookie class has been mediocre all year, but there is hope for late surges from call-ups Nick Franklin, Chris Archer and Wil Myers so that one of them could overtake Martin or Iglesias at the top.. NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami (9-5, 2.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 157 K, 145 2/3 IP) Runners-up: Yasiel Puig, RF, Los Angeles (12 HR, 28 RBI, 7 SB, .352 AVG, .979 OPS) Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP, Los Angeles (12-4, 2.95 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 126 K, 155 2/3 IP) The thin AL crop only looks worse when contrasted with the outstanding National League rookie class. Fernandez has been the best pitcher in baseball for more than a month, Puig has exploded onto the scene and Ryus season-long consistency places him ahead of Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller. GOLD GLOVESC - Russell Martin, PittsburghRunners-up: Yadier Molina, St. Louis; A.J. Ellis, Los Angeles Molina is an all-time great and could easily win again, but Martin has been outstanding in his return to the National League. Miguel Montero, Welington Castillo and Salvador Perez are all having strong seasons behind the plate too.. 1B - Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs Runners-up: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona; Yonder Alonso, San Diego Youth is served, with Rizzo just ahead of Goldschmidt, while Alonso, Eric Hosmer and Brandon Belt are all above average around the bag. 2B - Brian Dozier, Minnesota Runners-up: Dustin Pedroia, Boston; Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Dozier, a former shortstop, has proven to be more than competent with the glove on the other side of second base while veterans Pedroia and Phillips are near the top in Ultimate Zone Rating. Teh As Eric Sogard and Cubs Darwin Barney are also viable candidates. 3B - Nolan Arenado, Colorado Runners-up: Manny Machado, Baltimore; Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Arenado and Machado have been amazing, ranking at the top in Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating. Longoria is also at the top tier, while Chase Headley and Juan Uribe have been very good, but not quite at the level Arenado, Machado and Longoria. SS - Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Runners-up: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado; Pedro Florimon, Minnesota Its a one-horse race as Simmons is likely the best fielder in all of baseball. Tulowitzki and Florimon are very good, among the mortals, while Yunel Escobar, Clint Barmes and Pete Kozma have had strong seasons with the glove. LF - Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Runners-up: Andy Dirks, Detroit, Alex Gordon, Kansas City Martes range puts him at the head of the class, a position that used to be held by Carl Crawford, who has been good when healthy this year. Andy Dirks is lesser-known, but a strong fielder and Alex Gordon is consistently above average. Yoenis Cespedes and Nate McLouth are among other left fielders playing well this season. CF - Carlos Gomez, MilwaukeeRunners-up: Lorenzo Cain, Kansas City; A.J. Pollock, Arizona Gomez is a sensational fielder, who effectively blocked Cain from regular duty in Milwaukee, but Cain has shown this season that hes an elite defensive outfielder too. Pollock made the most of his opportunity when Adam Eaton was injured, earning him the nod ahead of Jacoby Ellsbury and Andrew McCutchen. RF - Shane Victorino, BostonRunners-up: Gerardo Parra, Arizona; Josh Reddick, Oakland Victorino, a former centre fielder, has the best range at the position, Parra leads in Defensive Runs Saved and Reddick is near the top in both categories. This trio comes in just ahead of Jay Bruce and Ichiro Suzuki. (I realize there are Gold Gloves awarded in both leagues. Im just trying to recognize the best fielders at each position.) ALL-SURPRISE TEAM C - Jason Castro, Houston (14 HR, 46 RBI, .270 AVG, .799 OPS) 1B -Chris Davis, Baltimore (45 HR, 115 RBI, .306 AVG, 1.071 OPS) 2B - Matt Carpenter, St. Louis (9 HR, 62 RBI, .312 AVG, .859 OPS) SS - Jean Segura, Milwaukee (12 HR, 44 RBI, 37 SB, .308 AVG, .795 OPS) 3B - Josh Donaldson, Oakland (18 HR, 71 RBI, .297 AVG, .859 OPS) LF - Starling Marte, Pittsburgh (11 HR, 33 RBI, 35 SB, .282 AVG, .786 OPS) CF - Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee (18 HR, 55 RBI, 30 SB, .288 AVG, .858 OPS) RF - Michael Cuddyer, Colorado (17 HR, 66 RBI, .324 AVG, .925 OPS) SP - Patrick Corbin, Arizona (13-3, 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 150 K, 172 1/3 IP) SP - Matt Harvey, N.Y. Mets (9-4, 2.25 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 187 K, 171 1/3 IP) SP - Jose Fernandez, Miami (9-5, 2.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 157 K, 145 2/3 IP) SP - Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh (14-5, 2.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 126 K, 121 IP) SP - Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle (11-6, 2.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 146 K, 171 IP) RP - Edward Mujica, St. Louis (32 SV, 1.65 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 41 K, 54 2/3 IP) ALL-DISAPPOINTING TEAM C - Miguel Montero, Arizona (9 HR, 34 RBI, .228 AVG, .661 OPS) 1B - Albert Pujols, L.A. Angels (17 HR, 64 RBI, .258 AVG, .767 OPS) 2B - Danny Espinosa, Washington (3 HR, 12 RBI, .158 AVG, .465 OPS) SS - Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs (7 HR, 32 RBI, .240 AVG, .615 OPS) 3B - Chase Headley, San Diego (8 HR, 35 RBI, .237 AVG, .695 OPS) LF - Melky Cabrera, Toronto (3 HR, 30 RBI, .279 AVG, .682 OPS) CF - B.J. Upton, Atlanta (8 HR, 21 RBI, 11 SB, .186 AVG, .567 OPS) RF - Josh Hamilton, L.A. Angels (19 Hr, 60 RBI, .228 AVG, .703 OPS) SP - Ian Kennedy, San Diego (4-9, 5.12 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) SP - Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee (9-9, 4.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) SP - Josh Johnson, Toronto (2-8, 6.20 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) SP - CC Sabathia, N.Y. Yankees (11-10, 4.83 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) SP - Jonathon Niese, N.Y. Mets (5-6, 4.25 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) RP - John Axford, Milwaukee (0 SV, 4.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Zapatillas Nike Zoom Baratas .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Comprar Nike Zoom Baratas . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. http://www.nikezoombaratas.es/ . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Nike Zoom España . LOUIS -- St. Nike Air Zoom Baratas . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue.Manchester United got their Barclays Premier League title defence off to a great start on Saturday, coming away from their opening fixture, away to Swansea City, with a comfortable 4-1 victory. The game was far closer than the score-line indicated - especially in the first half - but new United boss David Moyes wont be too concerned about that. His first league game in charge was a real banana skin - Swansea had lost only nine games at home in two seasons in the Premier League before Saturday - but United were clinical in their finishing and solid defensively to claim all three points. With doubt over the future of United striker Wayne Rooney hovering, Moyes took the bold decision to start the England international on the bench against Swansea. If Moyes team selection upset Rooney, the striker certainly didnt show it. When he was introduced as a second-half substitute just after the hour mark, Rooney showed that he still has plenty to offer in a red jersey in Manchester. His overlapping run for Robin van Persies second goal of the game - Uniteds third - was entirely unselfish. It was made to draw the attention of Swansea defender Ashley Williams (which it did), allowing van Persie to create enough room for his magnificent strike into the top corner. This is not meant to diminish van Persies finish - it will be a candidate for goal of the month (if not goal of the year) in the Premier League - but van Persie would not have had the opportunity had Rooney not made the run to create space. For Uniteds fourth goal, Rooney found the pocket of space between Swanseas back four and their midfield, received the ball and turned in one motion before playing a slide-rule pass into the path of fellow England international Danny Welbeck, who coolly scored his second of the game. Again, Rooney played the role of provider rather than that of finisher - something United fans might be seeing much more of if Moyes decides to keep Rooney at Old Trafford. While a move to Chelsea might be alluring for Rooney - he would almost certainly be José Mourinhos preferred option as a central striker - he should think long and hard about what role he has to play at United, before proactively pursuing such a move. Robin van Persie is undoubtedly Manchester Uniteds number one striker. 26 goals and the Premier Leagues golden boot last season were underlined by both of his sublime finishes against Swansea; he is the best finisher in the league, bar none. Unless Moyes wants to play with two strikers - something that is becoming more and more of a rarity in the modern game - Rooney is always going to be second choice when playing with a single striiker is the chosen formation.dddddddddddd. If van Persie suffers injury or an improbable lack of form, Rooney would be first choice to take up that position. If the Dutchman remains healthy and in-form though, Rooney can still have a role to play as an attacking midfielder in Moyes side. Despite being the reigning Premier League champions, United have failed to improve their squad over the close season, and their bid for Cesc Fabregas was merited. The one area they are most in need of upgrading is in the attacking midfield role. If Moyes is unable to bring in a player of Fabregas quality before the end of the transfer window, Rooney may prove to be an able deputy. He has played that role before, and did so admirably when he came on as a substitute just after the hour mark. (In fact, many will argue that this was always going to be Rooneys role once van Persie was brought in before the start of last season.) Rooney has the ability to get in between players, to find space between the lines, and as his through ball for Welbecks second goal showed, the passing range to be a creative threat. If he is going to play in Moyes team, Rooney will have to accept that his role is changing. He still offers a legitimate goal scoring threat (what defender wants to see an in-form Rooney getting the ball, turning, and running at him?) but as an attacking midfielder, he will have to play a more creative role than he is accustomed. Defensively, Rooney might prove to be a liability in that role, though. As more and more teams adapt their formations to accommodate a single striker, the midfield trio that is commonly preferred must be defensively responsible. They must be able to track back when required and interchange positions when needed. As the player most often furthest forward, the attacking midfielder must be tactically astute; able to cut off the first pass from defence into midfield, and to deny the opponents deep-lying midfielders time and space in which to play. Against the best teams in the Premier League - and in particular the best teams in the Champions League - this is where Rooney will be found out. How David Moyes handles the Rooney situation will be an interesting storyline to follow this season. Unless the arrival of a world-class attacking midfielder is imminent, I think it would be in Moyes best interest to keep hold of Rooney. The fact that Moyes preferred a 39-year old Ryan Giggs in that role over his other options on Saturday means that he doesnt have much choice. But convincing Rooney that he has a different role to play if he is to stay at United will be a real test of Moyes man-management ability. ' ' '