2014 MLB MVP Predictions/Preview
Major League Baseball’s MVP award has taken a bit of a hit in recent years. Miguel Cabrera’s win over Mike Trout had stat junkies crying foul, Ryan Braun’s name has been dragged through the mud, and a down year in 2013 still saw Andrew McCutchen take home the hardware.
As for 2014, Cabrera’s back issues have many questioning whether he’ll even be healthy enough to play out the season, let alone win the award, and McCutchen’s Pirates appear destined for a regression, which doesn’t bode well for his chances.
Here are five players from each league who appear poised to make a run at claiming an MVP award of their own.
American League
Mike Trout +500
He has to win one at some point, doesn’t he? Trout’s numbers have traditional baseball guys and stat geeks drooling, and he’s only going to get better as he reaches his prime years. Another key factor is that Trout hasn’t gotten paid yet, so don’t expect him to take off a single pitch.
Jacoby Ellsbury +1200
The last time we saw Ellsbury demonstrate some pop he was right in the thick of the MVP race. Now he plays in a home ballpark that greatly helps the power numbers of left-handed hitters. Putting up some big numbers with pinstripes on has helped others get over the top.
Evan Longoria +1400
The A.L. Eat is up for the taking this year. If the Rays are able to take it and Longoria can remain healthy and continue to put up the power numbers he’s become known for, he’ll be a prime candidate. His body of work will surely go over well with voters.
Jose Bautista +2000
Bautista’s Blue Jays didn’t live up to expectations last season, and he had some injury issues to deal with, but he’s healthy now, and the Jays appear poised for a run as a post-hype sleeper. If Bautista can carry the Blue Jays to their first posteason appearance since 1993, the award likely be his.
Prince Fielder +2000
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Fielder goes from a packed lineup in Detroit to one with Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo, and that Texas air won’t hurt him either. Fielder seems well fitted for a big season in a hitter-friendly ballpark, and if he takes well to his new environment, he could put up some monster numbers.
National League
Paul Goldschmidt +900
Goldschmidt appears ready for a breakout, and with fellow masher Mark Trumbo now in tow to offer some lineup protection, this could be the year that Goldschmidt really takes the step to the next level. The Diamondbacks will need to score runs given their banged up rotation, and Goldschmidt will lead the charge.
Buster Posey +1200
Posey has already claimed the award once, and while a gruesome leg injury may have kept him off his game for a while, he’s back and healthy now. He will be leading what could be one of the best pitching rotations in baseball, and is good for a batting average north of .300 and around 100 RBIs.
Troy Tulowitzki +1800
Injuries have kept Tulowitzki off the field for a substantial amount of time in recent years, but no one is questioning his abilities on the field. If he can find a way to stay on the field, he’ll do some damage.
David Wright +2500
Wright’s power numbers are suppressed by his home ballpark, but his advanced stats have always made stat geeks drool. The Mets appear poised for a bounce back season in a vulnerable N.L. East this season, and Wright will be the one leading the charge.
Jason Heyward +4000
Heyward really found his groove last season, but that broken jaw really set him back some. Heyward is past that injury now and has been mashing the ball in Spring Training. He’ll be a key contributor to a Braves team that will need to score runs after some injuries to its starting rotation.
