MLB Monday reaches the PED Era in full swing with today’s award analyses, and it presents problems, of course, just as we faced in 2004 and 2007 and 2009, etc. The World Series champion broke a 56-year title drought, reinvigorated a desperate fan base, and launched itself into hitherto unimagined profits as a result. Sounds like a recipe that was made to order for a franchise that almost relocated in the early 1990s.

2010 World Series MVP: Édgar Rentería, SS, San Francisco (original); Brian Wilson, RP, San Francisco (revised)

The San Francisco Giants overwhelmed the Texas Rangers in a five-game series, outscoring them, 29-12. Giants shortstop Édgar Rentería (2 HRs, 6 RBI, .412 BA, 1.209 OPS) was named the MVP; an age-33 journeyman, he hadn’t posted an OPS over .707 in a full season since 2007. But somehow, he came to life in this Fall Classic at the plate. Alas, he made an error in the field, so he won’t be winning our MVP hardware.

So, where else do we turn? Oddly, the team hit only .249 against Texas, with just 11 walks and a whopping 43 strikeouts. Really, the best position player was center fielder Andrés Torres (.984 OPS), but he was a prime suspect for PED use in this season (explained elsewhere). So, we look to the pitching staff instead, but we have a problem here, too: the Big Three went 4-0 in the series with a combined 1.53 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.

Thus, we really have few good options here for a clean MVP designation; the closer didn’t even toss 3 full innings, for example. Now, we head back to the offense, and this is the best we can do: second baseman Freddy Sánchez (3 RBI, .682 OPS). Yep, this is what happens when you have a PED-enabling manager and a whole organization that has been cheating for years in an effort to win something: legitimate illegitimacy.

In the end, we’re going with closer Brian Wilson, who earned his only save in Game 5 on the road to clinch the MLB championship. He struck out 4 batters in 2 2/3 IP, and his WHIP (0.375) was stellar. He did appear in three games overall, so that will have to do. Perhaps this is symbolic for all he did do to help the team throughout the full season; if so, that’s fine by us.

2010 ALCS MVP: Josh Hamilton, LF, Texas (original); Bengie Molina, C, Texas (revised)

Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (4 HRs, 7 RBI, 8 BBs, 3 SBs, .350 BA, 1.536 OPS) was the MVP here as Texas dropped the defending champions in six games. But he committed an error, so he’s out. We also have to overlook outfielder Nelson Cruz (2 HRs, 5 R BI, .350 BA, 1.235 OPS), a notorious PED user. We settle on catcher Bengie Molina (1 HR, 5 RBI, .313 BA, .915 OPS), who was acquired midseason from the Giants.

We also have starting pitcher Colby Lewis (2-0, 1.98, 1.098 WHIP, 13 Ks) to consider. However, due to Molina’s excellent defense at his position, we’re going to give him the edge here, although we wish we could split it between the two. Yet Lewis probably owes some of his success to Molina, as is, so we will give it to the backstop.

2010 NLCS MVP: Cody Ross, OF, San Francisco (original); Wilson (revised)

The Giants won three single-run contests against the two-time defending NL champs to win this matchup in six games, and journeyman outfielder Cody Ross (3 HRs, 5 RBI, .350 BA, 1.385 OPS) was the MVP. He was acquired in late August from the Florida Marlins off waivers, and his OPS jumped almost 100 points upon joining the S.F. organization. We’ve seen this kind of nonsense before, obviously, so we are skeptical here.

Yet in a series where the Philadelphia Phillies outscored them, 20-19, the Giants hitters weren’t very good outside Ross. So, here we go again: what about the pitching staff? We have to go with Wilson again, actually, for his three saves, 7 Ks in 5 IP, and 0.800 WHIP. It’s the safe, smart choice in this minefield of explosive candidates that would blow up in anyone’s proverbial face. We’re good with this, too. Fear the Beard!

2010 AL MOTY: Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota (original, confirmed)

The best PPP mark posted by a division-winning skipper belonged to Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire (plus-2), who we gave this nod to in 2003. No other manager could match this effort, really, and have a decent shot at the postseason at the same time. This is an easy trophy to confirm. Well done!

2010 NL MOTY: Bud Black, San Diego (original); Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia (revised)

The San Diego Padres had an epic collapse in September, blowing the biggest cushion in a pennant race since the 1930s. For some reason, though, the voters still gave this hardware to Padres Manager Bud Black (minus-1 PPP). In a weird world, Philadelphia Manager Charlie Manuel (plus-2) was literally the only manager to post a positive PPP mark and finish with a winning record. Think about that for a moment.