Fansided

Power ranking the AL MVP candidates following Miguel Cabrera’s injury

By Connor Muldowney

Jun 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) points to the dugout after a double in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) points to the dugout after a double in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays Josh Donaldson (20) batting against Texas Rangers in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays beat Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays Josh Donaldson (20) batting against Texas Rangers in the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays beat Rangers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

Acquiring Josh Donaldson this past offseason was one of the best moves by any team in baseball, as the Toronto Blue Jays got an absolute steal with this guy.

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Blue Jays appear likely to wait until after trade deadline to activate Hyun Jin Ryu
Blue Jays appear likely to wait until after trade deadline to activate Hyun Jin Ryu /

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    • There’s a reason the middle of the Blue Jays’ order is feared by so many opposing pitchers: they run out Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion back-to-back-to-back and basically tell opponents, “try to get through this inning alive.”

    The addition of Donaldson was huge, and it’s proving to be even more each day as the third baseman is as much of a delight to watch on defense as he is at the plate. After a bit of a down-year in 2014 with the Athletics, he has bounced back to get his average up to .296 with 19 homers and 56 RBI.

    While you may say 29 homers and 98 RBI can hardly qualify as a down-year, it was his .255 average that even he would tell you was disappointing.

    Right now, the 29-year-old power-hitting third baseman is on pace to break all of his previous career-highs and the Blue Jays are creeping up in the AL East standings.

    If this team makes the playoffs, you can bet on the fact that Donaldson caught fire and helped them get there. He is likely the team’s only true MVP candidate, mainly because his average isn’t below .250 like Bautista and Encarnacion.

    Next: 6. Manny Machado, Orioles

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