I'm calling my shot. Adrian Beltre will be the American League Most Valuable Player in 2014. Beltre is a talent player who just got a huge boost to his chances. Prince Fielder is now on his team and will be batting in the spot behind him.
From that fourth spot in the order Fielder has helped protect three consecutive MVPs. Ryan Braun won the NL MVP in 2011 and Miguel Cabrera has claimed the award in 2012 and 2013. Both Braun and Cabrera are very talented but the pitches they saw were helped by having Fielder's bat in the order after them.
Braun put up impressive numbers in 2011 hitting .332/.397/.597 with 33 HR, 111 RBI, 109 R, 33 SB in 150 games. That same season Fielder hit .299/.415/.566 with 38 HR, 120 RBI, 95 R, 1 SB in 162 games. Fielder finished third in the MVP vote.
Cabrera won his first MVP mesmerizing the world as he also won the Triple Crown while hitting .330/.393/.606 with 44 HR, 139 RBI, 109 R, 4 SB in 161 games. Behind him was Fielder hitting .313/.412/.528 with 30 HR, 108 RBI, 83 R, 1 SB in 162 games. Fielder managed enough votes to finish ninth in MVP voting.
Cabrera followed that with an arguably better season by hitting .348/.442/.636 with 44 HR, 137 RBI, 103 R, 3 SB in 148 games. Injuries down the stretch hampered his repeat for the Triple Crown. Fielder had an off year for him but still hit a more than respectable .279/.362/.457 with 25 HR, 105 RBI, 82 R, 1 SB in 162 games.
Beltre might see some regression due to age while turning 35 on April 7th. He still put up very good numbers in 2013 hitting .315/.371/.509 with 30 HR, 92 RBI, 88 R, 1 SB in 161 games. That was good for seventh in MVP voting. Beltre should have the opportunity put up good numbers with Fielder hitting behind him.
There may come a point this season or next that the Rangers decide to flip them in the order. Then it will be Fielder's turn to wear the MVP crown.
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