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MLB Awards Watch: Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson battle for AL MVP

By Brad Rowland

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) leaps but can't reach a home run hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (not pictured) in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) leaps but can't reach a home run hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (not pictured) in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates with his team after running in a score against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates with his team after running in a score against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

AL MVP

  1. Mike Trout, OF Los Angeles Angels – Remember when Mike Trout held a massive lead? That margin is now infinitesimal. In fact, it seems that most pundits are now leaning in the direction of Josh Donaldson, but I’m staying with Trout… for one more week. Trout still holds the edge in wRC+ and bWAR, and while an extremely rare cold spell has allowed Donaldson to claim the lead in fWAR, I’m going to lean toward offense in this instance.
  2. Josh Donaldson, 3B Toronto Blue Jays – Donaldson actually has more home runs than Trout, but nearly a 25 point dip in on-base percentage matters a great deal. We are certainly splitting hairs at this juncture, especially when considering that Donaldson is a better defender in all likelihood, but Trout’s slip has allowed him to thoroughly join the race, and this should be fun. It remains to be seen how much Toronto’s team success will help Donaldson in the voting, but it certainly won’t hurt.
  3. Manny Machado, 3B Baltimore Orioles – Machado is scary good. 25 home runs and 16 stolen bases would be a highly impressive full season for anyone, but given his age (23) and the fact that there is still a month remaining, it is even more staggering. Throw in the fact that Machado is an elite defender by any measure, and it is somewhat crazy that he is “just” third among AL players. Donaldson and Trout are pretty good in their own right.
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