Mike Trout heavily favored to win 4th AL MVP award

Stop us if you've heard this one before, but Mike Trout is favored to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award. It's something of a running bit in the AL, where the Los Angeles Angels outfielder has already won three MVP trophies and has finished in the top four in MVP odds in each of the last eight years.

Trout's opening odds of +125 are well ahead of those of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge at +1100. Rounding out the top five are Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (+1300), Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (+1700), and Angels dual threat Shohei Ohtani (+2000)

Trout shined in 2019

Trout is coming off one of the finest seasons in his career, which is saying something for a player who already has one foot in Cooperstown. The Millville Meteor hit .291 with a career-high 45 home runs and 104 RBI, while leading the Major Leagues in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+. His numbers likely would have been even more impressive had Trout not missed the final three weeks of the season after undergoing surgery to to remove a Morton’s neuroma from his right foot.

Trout should have even more support in 2020

Trout should benefit from considerably more protection in the lineup this season thanks to the return of Ohtani, who appeared in just 106 games after recovering from offseason Tommy John surgery. The former Rookie of the Year slashed .286/.343/.505 in 2019 and has shown a surprising amount of pop for a player better known for his fastball than his long ball.

Opposing pitchers will also have to contend with World Series hero Anthony Rendon, who signed a seven-year, $245 million deal with L.A. on Dec. 11. The two-time Silver Slugger recipient finished third in NL MVP voting in 2019 after establishing career highs in home runs (34), RBI (126), and batting average (.319). Rendon was easily the most prized position player on the free agent market and should fit in perfectly in the Angels' low key clubhouse. 

Guerrero is worth a gamble

If you're looking for slightly better value, we recommend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at +5500. The Toronto Blue Jays third baseman has arguably the highest ceiling of any player in baseball. That was especially evident at the MLB's midseason classic, when Guerrero clobbered a record 91 homers in the Home Run Derby. Some of those moonshots are still orbiting above Progressive Field.

The 20-years-old masher now enters his second year in the bigs with considerably less pressure and in far better shape, after spending the winter focusing on his strength, conditioning, and agility. Don't be surprisied if he replicates the numbers he put up in August, when he hit .341 with four homers and 16 RBI. 

Like Trout, Guerrero should also benefit from better protection in 2020 thanks to the continuing development of fellow sophomores Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio, as well as the acquisition of Travis Shaw, who jacked 30 home runs or more in back-to-back seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 and 2018. The Blue Jays are building something special, and Guerrero should receive plenty of attention during his second season in the Great White North.

The 2020 MLB season is just around the corner! Wager on baseball futures now at BetAmerica.