Who Will Take Their Place?

FoxSports.com: Which Players Are Having MVP-Caliber Seasons?

Detroit’s Justin Verlander and Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun claimed MVP honors last season, in close (and hotly debated) votes. This year’s arguments have already begun, with Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen viewed as the early favorites in each league. But this is a six-month season, and challengers have plenty of time to impress the electorate. Here’s an early look at the field. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photos)

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Who Will Take Th... Detroit’s Justin Verlander and Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun claimed MVP honors last season, in close (and hotly debated) votes. This year’s arguments have already begun, with Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen viewed as the early favorites in each league. But this is a six-month season, and challengers have plenty of time to impress the electorate. Here’s an early look at the field. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photos)
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AL: Austin Jacks... Believe it or not, there is an argument to be made that Jackson — not Miguel Cabrera — has been the Tigers’ most indispensable player this season. Jackson might be even better in center field than Mike Trout, and it’s no surprise that the Tigers have one of the best records in baseball since he returned from the disabled list in early June. Jackson reaches base almost as often as Trout and has ranked among the AL’s top 10 in OPS. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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AL: Josh Reddick... The A’s obtained Reddick from the Red Sox for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney, in what might have been the most impactful trade of the offseason. Reddick has been the steadiest offensive performer for the surprisingly competitive A’s, ranking among the league leaders in home runs and outfield assists. He’s also a base-stealing threat, making him the sort of overall standout who belongs in the MVP discussion. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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AL: Robinson Can... Even while Curtis Granderson emerged as an MVP candidate last year, some believed Robinson Cano was the Yankees’ best all-around player. That is certainly the case this season, as Cano leads the Yankees in OPS while posting the best numbers — by far — of any second baseman in the majors. (Not that this matters in the MVP discussion, but is there a smoother swing in baseball?) - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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AL: Miguel Cabre... If Mike Trout fades down the stretch — even a little — Cabrera is primed to win the first MVP award of what could become a Hall of Fame career. (He finished second to Josh Hamilton in 2010.) Numbers aside, Cabrera has a strong case because his selfless move to third base allowed Prince Fielder’s bat to enter the Detroit lineup. Cabrera is probably the best pure hitter in baseball right now, with a fair chance at the Triple Crown. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
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AL: Mike Trout, ... Go ahead, try to find a flaw. Trout leads the American League in batting, ranks second in OPS, and has the highest WAR in the majors, according to FanGraphs.com. He’s playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field, including a number of highlight-reel catches. The Angels have one of the best records in baseball since his April 28 season debut. The last AL player to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season: Ichiro. - Jon Paul Morosi (Kelvin Kuo - US Presswire)
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NL: Ryan Braun, ... In last year’s duel with Dodgers CF Matt Kemp, Braun was helped by the argument that MVPs should come from contending clubs. This year, he will be hurt by it. Will voters hold a grudge against Braun for last year’s positive PED test? I’d like to think not. Braun’s numbers say he deserves consideration. He ranks at or near to top in the NL in home runs and OPS. But it will be difficult for the electorate to overlook the Brewers’ utter irrelevance this season. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
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NL: Joey Votto, ... For a time, Votto’s candidacy was hurt by how well the Reds played without him. Advocates for other candidates had an easy argument: If Votto’s team can put together the best record in the league while he is on the disabled list, how valuable could he be? The answer: Very, and that has become apparent in recent days. The trouble now is that Votto required a second knee procedure and could be out until the end of August. It’s a shame that such a stellar season was interrupted: Votto had led the majors in OPS for weeks and was playing Gold Glove-caliber defense for a likely division champion. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
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NL: Buster Posey... How’s this for value? As a rookie in 2010, Posey lifted the Giants to a world title. Last year, his absence scuttled their chance to repeat. Now, he leads the NL in RBI since the All-Star break while making the majority of his starts at the most demanding defensive position on the field. Posey ranks among the top 10 NL hitters in batting average and OPS, so he would be in the MVP discussion even if he didn’t catch. The fact that he does makes him a serious contender. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/David Goldman)
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NL: Matt Hollida... Holliday has the chance to challenge McCutchen, in part because his team is stalking the Pirates in the race for a wild-card spot. Holliday caught fire after a lackluster April and is on pace for his best overall offensive season since leaving Coors Field. If he serves as the Cardinals’ run-producer-in-chief during the surge to a playoff spot — the way a certain first baseman used to — Holliday will garner MVP votes. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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NL: Andrew McCut... McCutchen is probably the best all-around player in baseball today. He leads the majors in batting, ranks second behind Joey Votto in OPS and could steal 20 bases for the fourth straight season. He has committed exactly one error in center field. And he’s done it all while batting third with very little lineup protection. This award is his to lose, barring injury or a catastrophic Pirates collapse. - Jon Paul Morosi (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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