With the 2009 postseason winding down, it’s just about time to hand out the hardware on the regular season. Here are my thoughts; the actual winners will be announced sometime in mid-November.

AL MVP: Joe Mauer

Was there any doubt? Jeter and Teixeira will fight over runner-up, but this award belongs to Mauer. The Minnesota catcher is putting together a nice little resume here; after winning his 3rd batting title this year, he now has as many batting titles in a four year span as the combined total of all catchers to ever play the game. Unbelievable. After missing the first month of the ’09 campaign, Mauer stormed out of the gate with a newfound power stroke; his 28 big flies this season established a new career high. Without Mauer, the Twins are a .500 team; with him, they’re you’re AL Central Champs.

AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke

Greinke’s 2009 season was incredible: 16-8, 2.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 242 Ks. All while pitching for the Royals. There are other guys in the discussion: C.C. Sabathia had a nice season for the Yanks; Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander, and Felix Hernandez also deserve some consideration. But Greinke stands out at the head of the class in the AL this year. Now the countdown begins: how long will it be before he’s wearing Yankee pinstripes or Boston gray?

AL Rookie of the Year: Andrew Bailey

A lot of guys will get votes here. Jeff Neimann wasn’t the Tampa rookie SP everyone thought would burst onto the scene, but he deserves some recognition. Rick Porcello pitched well for a contending team. Gordon Beckham and Elvis Andrus will also get some votes. But I think the winner is Andrew Bailey, Oakland’s rookie closer. With 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA, Bailey became a stalwart in the back of the A’s bullpen. But honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Porcello or Beckham win here.

NL MVP: Albert Pujols

Another no-brainer. The best player of his generation led the league in home runs, runs, on base percentage and slugging percentage; finished third in RBI, batting average, and walks. He even stole 16 bases. There’s simply nothing El Hombre can’t do. Two other first basemen, Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard, should finish 2nd and 3rd here.

NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter

I don’t see any clear way to choose between the three front runners in the NL. Tim Lincecum, Adam Wainwright, and Chris Carpenter all had incredible seasons. And each has their own merits. Lincecum, the 2008 NL Cy Young winner, led the league in strikeouts; Wainwright led the league in wins; and Carpenter paced the circuit in ERA. I went with Carpenter; after throwing 21.3 innings the last two seasons, Carpenter came back with a vengeance in ’09. But this could easily go to Lincecum or Wainwright. My gut tells me Lincecum will repeat.

NL Rookie of the Year: Tommy Hanson

Another award without a clear cut runaway. Chris Coghlan was a revelation atop the Marlins lineup. J.A. Happ pitched lights out for the Phillies down the stretch. And Andrew McCutchen looks like one of the few points of light in an otherwise dismal Pirates lineup. But I went with the young gun down in the ATL. Hanson, the much-hyped starting pitching prospect, looks like a front of the rotation guy for the next decade. I have no idea if he’ll come away with this hardware, but Braves fans should feel good with him and Jurjens atop the rotation for the foreseeable future.