Who will win major awards?

MC: Let’s look at the players. Who do you think should be in the conversation for MVP, the Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, etc.?

GS: Bold prediction: Brayan Bello will receive Cy Young votes. Thoughts?

MC: Ooh, I like that. It could definitely happen. Bello was one of the best pitchers in baseball age 24 or under last season, and if he puts it all together it’s totally within the realm of possibility he could make that kind of leap. It’s funny too, the AL Cy Young race is totally wide open now with Gerrit Cole’s injury. Personally I think Seattle’s George Kirby will win, but Bello’s chances are as good as anyone’s.

GS: What a Cinderella story that would be, right? Pedro Martinez’s protégé winning the Cy Young the same year he’s the first Dominican-born Sox Opening Day starter since Pedro. I also have this funny feeling that Rafael Devers and Triston Casas could be AL MVP candidates, and though it’s unlikely that he keeps hitting the way he’s been raking in spring training, if Ceddanne Rafaela can carry that success into the season, he could get some Rookie of the Year votes. He could definitely be a Gold Glove finalist, at the very least.

MC: Here’s where I’m at on the Red Sox guys. I think Devers, Casas and Trevor Story will all be All-Stars, and while I think Jackson Holliday is a heavy favorite to win AL Rookie of the Year — he’s starting in Triple-A but he’ll be up soon — I could see Rafaela getting considered. I think Story and Rafaela could also win Gold Gloves, but I don’t see anyone vying for AL

MVP. I think Aaron Judge will dominate that conversation, and if not him maybe Juan Soto, Adley Rutschman, Julio Rodriguez or Corey Seager.

GS: I keep forgetting that Soto is in the American League, let alone the division. J-Rod is always a great bet. He’s such an incredible talent and I think he’s well on his way to being one of the faces of the game for the next decade at least. Do you have NL picks for these awards?

MC: I’ve got Mookie Betts edging out Ronald Acuña Jr. for NL MVP, Spencer Strider taking the Cy Young and Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio winning Rookie of the Year. You?

GS: While I’d never doubt Betts, it’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to playing shortstop. It’s a long shot, but I’d love to see Chris Sale at least get some Cy Young votes this year, or at least be able to have a complete comeback season after so many wayla id attempts. I’m also going with Chourio for NL Rookie of the Year. I wonder if there’s ever been a year in which both ROYs had the same first name!