The 2021 regular season in the MLB ended, but the debate on who should be the individual award winners remains open.
One of the most controversial designations will undoubtedly be the Mvp of the American League, with voices in favor of up to three contenders. These could be the winners of each row.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s brilliant year with the Blue Jays and catcher Salvador Pérez’s record season deserve votes, but the Los Angeles Angels’ Japanese was on another level. In baseball history, you haven’t seen a hitter with 46 homers and 8 triples, 100 RBIs and 26 stolen bases who also struck out 156 opponents as a pitcher and posted a 3.18 ERA.
The left-hander for the Toronto Blue Jays finished as the leader in ERA with 2.84, in starts with 32 and in strikeouts with 248. His record was 13-7 but that will take a backseat. The other big favorite, Gerrit Cole (16-8, 3.43 ERA, 243 strikeouts) gave ground with a pair of bad starts late in the season.
In the preseason forecasts, no one was betting on some Tampa Bay Rays who let go of Blake Snell, Hunter Renfroe and Charlie Morton, among others. Despite this and against all belief, they achieved 100 wins for the first time in franchise history and celebrated their third consecutive postseason qualification. Cash remains true to his principles and they continue to work for him.
The 28-year-old Cuban outfielder posted a .243 / .286 / .454 offensive line with 31 homers and 90 RBIs. With these last two departments, he broke rookie records for the Texas Rangers that were held by Pete Incaviglia. His compatriot Randy Arozarena is another candidate, like the Venezuelan pitcher of the Houston Astros Luis García.