And the winner is ...

With the World Series behind us, it’s time for the annual postseason awards.

Over the coming days, MLB will announce its winners for the Cy Young Award, Manager-of-the-Year, Rookie-of-the-Year and Most Valuable Player. The Golden Glove awards were previously announced, and no Phillies, Yankees or Mets received the distinctive degree.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll look at the potential candidates for the above-mentioned positions, as well as this person’s opinion on who were the Phillies’ winners for some of these accolades this past season.

Also, I’ll look at some trends with the awards.

Top of the Rotation ... In the National League, the finalists for the Cy Young are Zack Wheeler (16-7, 2.57), Atlanta’s Chris Sale (18-3, 2.48) and Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes (11-3, 1.96). Others who could have been in the conversation include San Francisco’s Logan Webb (13-10, 3.47), St. Louis reliever Ryan Helsley (7-4, 2.04, 49 saves) and Chicago’s Shota Imanaga (15-3, 2.91).

Predicted selection: Sale will get the nod because of his comeback (he won the NL Comeback Player award), and he led the league in strikeouts.

My choice: Wheeler. He helped the team to the playoffs.

In the American League, the finalists are Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39), Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (16-7, 3.00) and Cleveland reliever Emmauel Clase (4-2, 0.61, 47 saves). Not a finalist but worthy of consideration is Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92).

Predicted selection: Skubal seems like a lock here, and the Tigers’ playoff bid sealed it.

My choice: Even though I didn’t see him pitch, I’ll give the nod to Skubal.

Who’s The Boss? ... In the National League, the three managers recognized for the award are the Mets’ Carlos Mendoza, San Diego’s Mike Shildt and Miwaukee’s Pat Murphy.

Predicted selection: This could be a tossup between Mendoza and Murphy, and the league recently named Brewers’ GM Matt Arnold. That could push it toward Murphy. Shildt was expected to do well with his lineup. Gut feeling says Mendoza will get it.

My choice: Mendoza deserves it for the team’s turnaround since June. He handled the players well and pushed the right buttons.

In the American League, this is an intriguing trio with Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt, Detroit’s A.J. Hinch, and Kansas City’s Matt Quatraro. Vogt did a great job taking over for Terry Francona, Hinch led the Tigers to 24 wins in their final 34 games for a Wild Card, and Quatraro paced the Royals to their first playoff appearance in nine years after losing 106 games last year.

Predicted selection: Vogt appears to be the consensus pick, but both Hinch and Quatraro will make it close.

My choice: Hinch should get the nod, as he did a great job bringing baseball back to the Motor City.

New Kids on the Block ... Today, the Rookies-of-the-Year will be announced, and it will be an interesting process.

In the National League, the finalists will be Skenes, San Diego outfielder Jackson Merrill (24 homers, 90 RBIs, .292) and Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio (21, 79, .275, 222 stolen bases).

Predicted selection: Skenes has gained some noteworthy status this year, and his wife aided his cause. Both Merrill and Chourio don’t have overwhelming numbers. I believe Skenes will be a popular pick.

My choice: I’ll also go with Skenes, who has revitalized baseball in Pittsburgh.

In the American League, the finalists are Yankees’ pitcher Luis Gil (15-7, 3.50) and catcher Austin Wells (13 homers, 55 RBIs, .229), and Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser (24, 69, .242).

Predicted selection: Gil seemed like a lock early in the season, but his magic fizzled down the stretch. Wells had a good second half, and took control of catching duties. Cowser was a relative unknown, but hit for power not average. Tough call here, but believe Gil gets it.

My choice: I really like Wells as their catcher going forward, and Gil should help staff. My nod goes to Wells.

He’s Your Guy ... The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award will also be announced this week.

In the National League, everything seems to be tilting toward Shohei Ohtani winning his third in four years. Ohtani (54 homers, 130 RBIs,. 310, 59 steals), led the league in runs scored (134, also led the Majors), home runs (54), RBIs (130), on-base percentage (.390), slugging (.646) and total bases (411, also MLB).

The Mets’ Francisco Lindor (33, 91, .273, 29 steals) was the Mets’ emotional leader and set the table, and Arizona’s Ketel Marte (36, 95, .292) is one of the game’s best kept secrets.

Predicted selection: Ohtani’s numbers are overwhelming, and the World Series victory may have sealed it. Without Lindor, however, the Mets don’t get to the playoffs. Ohtani wins it.

My choice: I would lean to Lindor, but it is a longshot. He meant more to the Mets than Ohtani did to the Dodgers despite the numbers.

In the American League, the finalists are the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, and Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Predicted selection: Judge (58 homers, 144 RBIs, .322) had the banner season, and he finally broke through in the postseason. Soto (41,109, .288) is seen as the game’s next generational player. Witt (32. 109, league-leading. 332) was overshadowed a bit, but he had an outstanding season.

It looks like Judge, but it could be close with Witt.

My choice: Witt deserves it as he carried the Royals most of the season.

Some Straight A’s ... Since 1986, there have been six Oakland (now Las Vegas) A’s that have won the Rookie-of-the-Year award, including three consecutive winners in the late 80s. They were Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), Ben Grieve (1998), Bobby Crosby (2004) and Andrew Bailey (2009).

Keep Looking ... Last week, Topps released its 2024 Chrome Update Series, which includes a one-of-one Skenes autographed rookie card that includes the patch from his Major League debut. The Pirates would like to have the card, and they made a tremendous package to the lucky card holder.

If you have the card, this is what you could have: two season tickets behind home plate for the next 30 years; a meet and greet with Skenes and two of his autographed jerseys; a softball game for 30 of your friends at PNC Park with coaching from Pirates alumni; a private tour of the Pirates’ Spring Training facilities of Pirates City and LECOM Park, plus other unique experiences at their Florida homes; and take batting practice and warm-up with the team.

However, the Skenes card could also bring you some nice change on the market.

Time Passages ... Each week, I’ll recall a former team, player, or situation from our past.

Over the years, there may be some MVP winners who you may have forgotten over the course of time.

Here is a list of some of less high-profile recipients in the American League: Zolio Versailles, Twins, 1965; Jeff Burroughs, Rangers, 1974; George Bell, Blue Jays, 1987; Juan Gonzalez, Rangers, 1996; and Jason Giambi, Oakland, 2000.

In the National League: Willie McCovery, Giants, 1969; Joe Torre, Cardinals, 1971; George Foster, Reds, 1977; Willie McGee, Cardinals, 1985; and Kevin Mitchell, Giants, 1989.

Painting It Red ... Pitcher Andrew Painter, the team’s top prospect who has been sidelined with elbow issues the past two seasons, recently competed in the Arizona Fall League.

In six starts, Painter allowed four runs over 15 2/3 innings for a 2.30 ERA. He struck out 18 and walked four, and 150 of his 209 pitches were strikes.

The Phillies see the right-hander as part of their starting staff next season, projecting him to debut around the All-Star break.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com