Chris Davis, more Manto and award predictions

While Orioles first baseman Chris Davis waits to find out where he'll place in voting for the American League's Most Valuable Player Award, he can prepare to accept his first Silver Slugger Award. Is there another first baseman strong enough to pry it out of his hands? The voting is done by managers and coaches, and they take into account several offensive categories, including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. They're not allowed to vote for players on their own teams. Davis led the majors with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs. He ranked fourth in the AL with a .286 average, tied for first with a .370 on-base percentage, first with a .634 slugging percentage and first with a 1.004 OPS. He also ranked first with 42 doubles and third with 167 hits. Spoiler alert: Davis will win the Silver Slugger Award in the American League. No Orioles first baseman has won it since Rafael Palmeiro in 1998. Eddie Murray won it in 1983-84. The Silver Slugger has been awarded every year since 1980. Albert Pujols and Todd Helton have won the most among first basemen with four apiece. After tonight, Davis will trail them by three. The winners will be announced at 6 p.m. on MLB Network. And yes, the program will air again at 8 p.m. Experience the magic twice. (That's what I said) I'm joining the masses in predicting that Miguel Cabrera wins his second consecutive AL MVP award. I'm also predicting that the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen wins the NL honor, though the Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt is a formidable candidate. The Tigers' Max Scherzer and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw will take home Cy Young Awards. The Red Sox's John Farrell and the Pirates' Clint Hurdle will win Manager of the Year awards. I was a big-time supporter of the Indians' Terry Francona, but I've been swayed. And not because of the World Series, since ballots were submitted before the playoffs. As for Rookies of the Year, I'm going with the Rays' Wil Myers in the AL and Marlins' Jose Fernandez in the NL. That wasn't so hard. (Don't go there) If you're craving leftovers for breakfast and already tore into the cold pizza, here's a quote from executive vice president Dan Duquette regarding yesterday's hiring of former Oriole Jeff Manto as minor league hitting coordinator: "The kid's a pro. He's very passionate about hitting. He's a former Oriole and he knows the city. He's from (Bristol) Pennsylvania, so this is good for him. He's close to home. "He should do well. He's been around at all levels. He's a good, veteran baseball man. He's been around as a player and an instructor. He should be a good addition." Manto was the White Sox hitting coach this season when they finished last in the American League in runs scored (598), next-to-last in on-base percentage (.302) and 13th in slugging percentage (.378). But they ranked fourth in runs scored (748) last year, seventh in on-base percentage (.318) and tied for fourth in slugging percentage (.422). I wouldn't focus too intensely on this year's results. Duquette, Brian Graham, Buck Showalter and Jim Presley endorse him. Give him a shot. And if a minor leaguer hits a home run in four consecutive at-bats, we'll know who made it happen.