Fansided

Top 10 AL MVP candidates in a shortened MLB season

By Scott Edwards

ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 14: Mike Trout #27 and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels get ready to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 14, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 14: Mike Trout #27 and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels get ready to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 14, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 24: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the first inning during the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Steinbrenner Field on February 24, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 24: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the first inning during the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Steinbrenner Field on February 24, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. SP. New York Yankees. Gerrit Cole. 3. player. 43

One big free agent move followed by the grandest of the offseason. Gerrit Cole will be dawning pinstripes on Opening Day after signing to a nine-year, $324 million contract — the largest for a pitcher in MLB history. That type of contract comes with huge expectations. Expectations that many believe he will live up to and perhaps exceed as soon as this season.

The last pitcher to win the MVP award was Clayton Kershaw in 2014. Most would put their money on Cole to do it if there was anyone to achieve such an accomplishment. He was that dominant in 2019 and is expected to be just as dominant in 2020.

Despite not winning the AL Cy Young, he went 20-5 with a league-leaders in ERA at 2.50 and strikeouts with 326. Cole was worth the price of admission for the Astros and helped lead Houston to the World Series with a fantastic playoff showing. That’s what the Yankees are looking for out of Cole.

If he is able to lead a heavily favored Yankees team to the top seed in the AL and eventually the World Series, the contract could already be worth it. And while him being a pitcher does hurt his chances at becoming the MVP, a 60 game season of pure dominance can bring him home the trophy.

Guessing he doesn’t miss a start, Cole should make 12 starts on the season. If he manages all quality starts and a record that may enter the double digits, he could even become a lock for the award. The 60 game season changes everything for everyone. Perhaps it gives a pitcher a better chance.

When it comes down to voting, WAR remains a huge aspect and it will once again this season. If Cole can dominate on the mound, this MVP award can very well be his. Plain and simple.

He’d become the first Yankees MVP since Alex Rodriguez in 2007. It’s been a while.

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