Fansided

MLB: 5 players who could steal the MVP from Mike Trout

By Ed Carroll

Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels holds up the MVP trophy after after the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels holds up the MVP trophy after after the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) signals to center fielder Sam Fuld (23, not pictured) to advance to second base on a passed ball during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) signals to center fielder Sam Fuld (23, not pictured) to advance to second base on a passed ball during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics

Donaldson is another player whose inclusion on this list might surprise you, but a closer look reveals his 2014 season isn’t a fluke. Donaldson has been worth 6.2 fWAR (actually lower than last year’s 7.7), and has been solid on both offense and defense for Oakland.

For the second straight year, Donaldson has set a career-high in home runs (28 this year, 24 last season), and he’s scored 90 runs and has 97 RBI, with a wOBA of .348. This might seem underwhelming for an MVP candidate, but that’s really good coming from a third baseman, and we haven’t even gotten to Donaldson’s defense yet.

Donaldson’s glove is near-elite at the hot corner. Please, ignore the 23 errors some official scorer has assigned to him; he’s a really good defensive third baseman. He’s saved 19 runs per DRS, and if you’re using his fielding runs above average, he’s 15.4. He’s a world-class defender at a skill position who not only can hit, but can hit for power. The Athletics might have a lot of “no-name” stars, but Donaldson really shouldn’t be one of them, and he should get MVP votes.

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