Boston Red Sox: the sole MVP candidate
With Mookie Betts a member of the Los Angeles Dodger, the Boston Red Sox now has an opening for a new AL MVP candidate.
After the Boston Red Sox shipped away the 2018 AL MVP, Mookie Betts, the team has a dark horse candidate to win the award in 2020.
Xander Bogaerts has yet to hit his ceiling and has a huge opportunity ahead of him. Now that Betts is a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bogaerts is going to be a potential MVP candidate if he can help the Red Sox return to the postseason in 2020.
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Bogaerts finished fifth on the AL MVP ballot in 2019, as well as being named an All-Star and a Silver Slugger. He is the only full-time shortstop, excluding Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman, to record 100 RBIs in back-to-to-back seasons. In three of his last four seasons, he has finished in the top six ix in slugging percentage, fifth in runs, and has 20+ home runs.
In 2019, he had career-highs in doubles with 52, home runs with 33, RBIs with 117, and OPS., recording a .939. His OPS. was fifth amongst qualified American League players.
His power has developed immensely. He is much more of a threat in the middle of a lineup now, compared to the beginning of his career.
2020 has the possibility to be his best season yet. The spotlight is on him and Rafael Devers to help this team compete. If Bogaerts plays like he did last season, he will repeat as an All-Star and finish high on MVP ballots.
Unlike Betts, the Red Sox do not have to worry about negotiating a contract with Bogaerts.
Boston has Bogaerts locked up through 2025 after he signed a six-year, $120,000,000 extension with the Boston Red Sox right before the 2019 season began. The deal includes a player opt-out after 2020 and a vesting option for 2026, pending him recording 535 plate appearances in 2025.
The shortstop already has 1,022 career hits. He is only going to be 27 this season. The Aruba-native is a two-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and three-time Silver Slugger.
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If he adds an MVP this season, Bogaerts will continue to add to an impressive baseball resume.