MLB Awards: 3 Finalists for AL MVP

American League MVP – Josh Donaldson

For Trout supporters everywhere, it’s going to sting when the Halo finishes as a bridesmaid instead of the bride for the third time in the last four seasons.

Simply put, even in a Blue Jays lineup that was enormously stacked with power, Donaldson’s impact largely reverberated throughout the entire organization the day his trade to Toronto was completed. Donaldson was an impact bat, was an impact fielder and was an impact presence in the clubhouse. He came from a scrappy organization that had just put together a run of successful seasons given limited resources. Donaldson was a major part of this season’s success, and he brought a winning mentality north of the border.

I mean… Donaldson’s numbers are nothing to scoff at, either. He led the American League in RBIs with 123, and largely led that category going wire to wire. Although his average ended up dipping just below .300 as the season came to a close, he was regularly hitting a clip above that mark for most of the season, and that continued even when Tulowitzki and Martin did not have their presence in the lineup.

A major part of winning any Award is consistency. From April to September, and into October, Donaldson was the best, most complete player in the AL. His presence made a difference for Toronto, and helped the organization win its first Division Championship and reach the ALCS for the first time since 1993, falling two games short of the World Series. When you’re a difference-maker, you’re valuable. When you make THAT much of a difference, you’re the most valuable.

Ladies and gentleman, your 2015 AL MVP, Josh Donaldson.