2016 National League All-Star team

The Cubs, who won 24 more games than last season, take home three of my National League awards, while the Mets pick up two. The Giants missed the playoffs — because it’s an odd year — but still put three players on the All-Star team.

Babe Ruth Award | Bryce Harper, Nationals. 42 home runs, 99 RBIs, .330 average, .460 on-base, .649 slugging, 118 runs, 124 walks, 38 win shares, 9.9 WAR. The best offensive season since Barry Bonds and the best age-22 season since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Harper led the league in home runs, runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Jonathan Papelbon doesn’t think Harper hustles. He actually hustles more than two-thirds of major league players.

2. Jake Arrieta, Cubs
3. Zack Greinke, Dodgers
4. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
5. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Pee Wee Reese Award (or Teammate of the Year) | Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers-Mets. 35 home runs, 105 RBIs, .291 average, .328 on-base, .542 slugging, 101 runs, 42 doubles, 27 win shares, 5.1 WAR. The Mets were 53-50 when they acquired Cespedes on July 31. They finished 37-22 and won their first division title since 2006. Cespedes slugged .604 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs.

Walter Johnson Award | Jake Arrieta, Cubs. 22-6, 1.77 ERA, 236 strikeouts and 48 walks in 229 innings, four complete games, three shutouts, one no-hitter. Arrieta vs. Greinke vs. Kershaw is too close to call. But the Cubs right-hander had the best second half of all time: 12-1, 0.75 ERA in 15 starts.

Jackie Robinson Award | Kris Bryant, Cubs. 26 home runs, 99 RBIs, .275 average, .369 on-base, .488 slugging, 30 win shares, 6.0 WAR.

2. Matt Duffy, Giants
3. Jung Ho Kang, Pirates

Connie Mack Award | Joe Maddon, Cubs. 97-65.

2. Mike Matheny, Cardinals
3. Terry Collins, Mets

Tommy John Award (or Comeback Player of the Year) | Matt Harvey, Mets. 13-8, 2.71 ERA, 188 strikeouts and 37 walks in 189.1 innings, 14 win shares, 4.3 WAR. He missed last season with Tommy John surgery.

James Shields

2015 age | 33
2015 salary | $10 million
Contract status | Shields signed a four-year, $75 million contract, including a team option for 2019, with the Padres on Feb. 11, 2015.

Career statistics | Baseball-Reference.com
Teams | Rays (2006-12), Royals (13-14), Padres (15-16)

How he was acquired | The Padres signed Shields to a four-year contract on Feb. 11, 2015.

Career year (2007) 16-12 2.82 ERA, 225 strikeouts and 65 walks in 249.1 innings, 11 complete games, four shutouts.

Resume
• Top three in Cy Young Award voting (2011)
• All-Star (2011)

League Leader
• Innings pitched (2013)
• Complete games (2011)
• Shutouts (2008, 2011)