The Other MVP Candidates

Before the season, many analysts selected the guys they thought would win the MVP awards for 2011. Some of the common picks included Adrian Gonzalez, Evan Longoria, and Robinson Cano in the AL and Troy Tulowitzki, Albert Pujols, and Prince Fielder in the NL. There's a whole group of other guys* though, who with a little luck could end up taking home the awards.

* Someone not listed here, even from a team not listed here, could certainly win. Just trying to expand the horizon a little.

Adrian Gonzalez seems to be the most popular choice for AL MVP, given that he's finally gotten out of Petco (over the last three years he hit .285/.387/.523 overall, and .309/.390/.598 on the road). And of course the signing of Carl Crawford brought a lot of excitement. But it's very possible that the Red Sox best player this season could be Kevin Youkilis. Youk played in a little more friendly of a home park, but over the last three seasons he's actually out-hit Gonzalez with his .309/.404/.560. He doesn't need to adjust to moving to a new league or a new team. Compared to Gonzalez, he plays a more difficult defensive position. Given that it's been a couple years since Youkilis got any significant playing time at third and that he's 32, he's probably not going to be a Gold Glover at the hot corner. Still, a full season of average to slightly above defense with his usual level of mashing could leave Youkilis in a good position to take home an MVP if Boston plays to expectations while Gonzalez struggles even a little in his new home.

Robinson Cano had somewhat of a break-out season last year for New York, hitting .319/.381/.534. I think many expect him to take another step forward in 2011, but it is very possible that he maintains that level of production or even moves a little towards his career numbers (.309/.347./489). That could open the door to a potentially resurgent Alex Rodriguez, who hit .286/.402/.532 as recently as 2009, or a full season of hitting from Mark Teixeira (off to a good start with 4 home runs already, compared to his career April numbers of .235/.343/.419).

Evan Longoria going on the DL is a hit to the Rays' playoff chances, which makes it a double hit on his MVP chances - Longo will be missing some counting stats, and he'll have a harder time winning if the Rays are at home in October.

The White Sox have come out slugging, and if they win the Central and Adam Dunn takes advantage of his new home park and ups his home run production into the 50s, he has a chance to make an impression on voters despite his lack of a position. If Carlos Quentin hits like he did in 2009 (.288/.394/.571 with 36 home runs in just 130 games) and doesn't give back all those runs with the glove, he could garner some support as well. An offensive break-out and good defense up the middle might send some votes to Alex Rios as well, if people start appreciating glove-work a little more.

The Twins have former MVPs Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, and I don't think it's likely at all that both of them would be out-shined by a teammate if the Twins were in contention. Miguel Cabrera is the Tigers' big star (position player), and though Magglio Ordonez and Victor Martinez can swing the bats, it would take a really unexpectedly great season to overshadow Cabrera.  So, if a non-Chicago player from the Central wins the MVP, it probably won't be a surprise.

2010's AL MVP, Josh Hamilton, is getting a little support for a repeat - especially since the Rangers are the favorites in the West - but either Nelson Cruz or Ian Kinsler are capable of putting up big seasons if they stay healthy. Cruz crushed the ball last year (.318/.374/.576) while playing some of the better right-field in baseball, but he was only able to stay on the field for 108 games. Kinsler saw his home run production drop off from 2009 to 2010 (31 to 9), but bumped up his average and OBP. If he's able to bring both aspects together - and get into more than 2010 103 game - he could make some people forget about Robbie Cano.

Ryan Howard is no longer the player he was when he won his MVP award, but with the same thing being said about Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth gone, and Chase Utley hurt, Howard is in position to get some love if voters want to reward a Phillies position player. It will be a bit harder for him to get the RBI they would like to see though, given the line-up.

The Braves have a couple very good players who could put up great seasons if things fall together, Jason Heyward batting 6th isn't going to help his run production numbers, but he hit .277/.393/.456 as a rookie. And Brian McCann has quietly been one of the best catchers in baseball, so a power surge from his usual low 20s to 30 home runs would likely leave him as a very valuable player, even if his defense isn't necessarily Gold Glove worth behind the dish.

Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto may not be able to repeat his performance (.34/.424/.600) - even if he still knocks the cover off the ball on a regular basis - so some progression from Jay Bruce could leave the Reds with a very even 1-2 punch. As a very good defensive right-fielder, Bruce doesn't need to out-hit Votto to be just as valuable.

The Brewers seem like they're trying to make a run in what could potentially be Prince Fielder's last season in Milwaukee, picking up Zach Greinke and Shaun Marcum. Fielder's a threat to hit 40+ home runs with his mammoth power, but Ryan Braun might be the better overall player. The left-fielder has improved his plate discipline in recent years, and he's approached 40 home runs before himself (37 in 2008). Braun taking things up a notch in his age-27 season wouldn't be surprising, and could lift the Brew-Crew to a division title. If Rickie Weeks is actually able to stay healthy all season for the second year in a row, he's got more than enough talent to put both those guys to shame, giving that he can take a walk, hit for power (29 home runs last year), and he's a second-baseman (who appears to have really improved himself with the glove).

Albert Pujols is, of course, a perennial MVP candidate. If the Cardinals come back from their slow start to make the playoffs, chances are that Pujols mashed and he'll be in good position to win. Matt Holliday returned very quickly from appendicitis though, and assuming there are no more emergency surgeries he's likely to put up his usual great season. Some people thought he was just a product of Coors Field, but he hit .312/.390/.532 in 2010 with a similar line the previous year. And he plays an often underrated left-field. It wouldn't take much good fortune for him to put up a Pujols-like season, and even come out ahead if Albert's slow start drags on.

As with Mauer and McCann, a catcher doesn't have to hit a ton to be valuable by virtue of donning the tools of ignorance. That means Buster Posey taking even a small step forward from his .305/.357/.505 line in 2010 - but playing a full season - could be enough. Especially given all the accolades he got after being called up last year.

Troy Tulowitzki is a very good defensive shortstop. And he hit .315/.381/.568 last year, with 27 home runs in only 122 games. Even playing in Colorado, that's might impressive. Carlos Gonzalez made a run at the Triple Crown for a while in '10, and it's more likely than not that he regresses a little.

So here we have a collection of some of the best players on some of the best teams in baseball. The fun thing is that there's a good chance someone not listed will at least make a strong run at the award.