The 2012 major league baseball season has been quite the roller-coaster ride.

The Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics stunned the league to qualify for the playoffs. Journeyman knuckleballer R.A. Dickey notched 20 wins and looks to be a front-runner for the Cy Young Award, while Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim center fielder Mike Trout wrapped up the best offensive season for a rookie in major league history. The 2012 season offered many surprises, but the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award should be clear-cut decisions.

The Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera should be American League MVP - and by a unanimous margin. Cabrera, who led the American league with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs and 139 runs batted in, earned the first Triple Crown since Boston Red Sox leftfielder Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.

Many can make the case, though, that phenom outfielder Trout, the first rookie ever to hit 25 home runs and steal 40 bases, is the league's MVP. Some baseball fans and voters favor the use of sabermetrics, statistics that are more mathematical and analytical such as Wins Above Replacement and on-base percentage, over more concrete figures such as stolen bases, hits, and runs. Cabrera was the third baseman that flourished in August and September while carrying his team to a triumph over the fading Chicago White Sox. Trout, on the other hand, ultimately failed to lead his team into the playoffs. He may win Rookie of the Year, but in light of this year's monumental Triple Crown finish, Cabrera will likely win MVP.

The San Francisco Giants' catcher Buster Posey should win the MVP for the National League, especially in regard to the collapse of the Pittsburgh Pirates and center fielder Andrew McCutchen's playoff hopes. Posey earned the National League's batting title with a formidable .336 batting average. The catcher also hit 24 home runs, drove in 103 runs, and led the league with 38 put-outs. Posey would be the first National League catcher to win the award since the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Bench in 1972. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, with 22 home runs and 76 RBIs, will muster votes, but Posey should gain the edge in voting.

It is time, though, to look at the Cy Young Award. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price, leading the American League with 20 wins, a 2.56 ERA and 25 quality starts for the Rays, figures to be a prominent candidate for the AL Cy Young Award. The Tigers' Justin Verlander and the White Sox' Chris Sale will also receive votes but the most intriguing candidate is Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney. He notched 48 saves and a pristine 0.60 ERA, figures that certainly merit consideration for the top award. Ultimately, though, Price' unparalleled numbers will lead to a Cy Young victory.

Last, but certainly not least, the National League Cy Young award will be handed to the New York Mets' R.A Dickey - not just for the story, but for the statistics as well.

Dickey finished second in the National League with 20 wins, a 1.05 walks plus hits per inning pitched, 2.73 ERA and a league-leading 230 strikeouts. It is also important to note, that with a uncontrollable knuckleball which baffled hitters throughout the league, Dickey only walked 54 batters. He also pitched back-to-back one-hitters during interleague play this year, a feat that has not been matched by any other pitcher. The knuckleballer had 27 quality starts this year and pitched five complete games, three of which were shutouts.

The Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels and Reds' Johnny Cueto will all compete for the top prize but Dickey stands out in this category.

The regular season concluded in a photo finish, but the award season should not offer too many surprises as November approaches.