Mike Trout favored to win AL MVP award for fourth time

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout is the overwhelming favorite at +200 to win the 2021 American League MVP Award.

If he manages to win his fourth career MVP Award, he would join Barry Bonds as the only four-time MVP in major-league history (Bonds was voted NL MVP on seven occasions, including four straight times between 2001 and 2004). But Trout, who turns 30 in August, would be the fastest player to reach four MVP Awards.

Is Trout an unbeatable public choice for AL MVP? Let’s start finding out.

The case for Trout

Trout won the Silver Slugger Award for the eighth time in his 10-year career in 2020, but his stats at the dish were way below his standards.

Trout’s .281 batting average was his lowest since 2014 (.287), and his .993 OPS was his lowest since 2016 (.991). Despite this, Trout hit 17 homers and 46 RBI, and garnered fifth place in the MVP voting.

His uncanny ability to produce at the plate, and his glowing reputation, will buoy Trout’s chances at a fourth MVP Award. But he simply isn’t worth a wager at this short a price before the season even begins.

Springer could make a splash in Toronto

George Springer (+3000) is not a stranger to the AL, but he left the declining Houston Astros for the ascendant Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent this winter.

This looks like a smart move for Springer, as he joins a talented and improving young lineup that stars shortstop Bo Bichette, third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez. Springer is afforded protection in the lineup, and should have plenty of RBI chances.

Springer hit 20 or more homers in four straight seasons before hitting 14 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He’s still in his prime at age 31, so don’t be surprised if Springer has a career-year in 2021.

LeMahieu offers solid value

Sitting at an even higher price than Springer is New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, at an unbelievable +3300.

LeMahieu has finished in the top five in MVP voting in each of his first two seasons in pinstripes. His eye-popping .364 batting average in 2020 was good enough for the MLB lead. LeMahieu hasn’t been just a “Punch and Judy” hitter either, as he recorded a 1.011 OPS last year.

A few more home runs than he hit in 2019 (26) might be all LeMahieu needs to put him over the top for his first career MVP honor in 2021.