Toronto Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson wins American League MVP

Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain finished third in the American League Most Valuable Player voting, a quality showing in a season dominated by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson, who won the award, and Los Angeles Angels phenom Mike Trout, who finished second for the third time in four years.

Cain received 20 third-place votes, which placed him ahead of Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado, Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel and Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz, who finished in the next three places behind him.

The case for Cain sprung from his versatility across the board. He ranked fifth in the American League in batting average (.307), fifth in runs (101), second in stolen bases (28) fourth in Baseball-Reference’s version of defensive wins above replacement (2.3) and fourth in overall wins above replacement (7.2).

Cain was not the only member of the World Series-champion Royals to merit consideration. Kendrys Morales received one fourth-place vote, likely a product of his 106 RBIs. Mike Moustakas received one eighth-place vote. Two voters placed Eric Hosmer in the 10th spot on the ballot. One did the same for Wade Davis.

The last and only Royal to win the A.L. MVP award was George Brett in 1980. Brett was also the last Royal to finish in the top three of A.L. MVP voting, placing second in 1985. Alex Gordon finished 12th last year.

The voting wrapped up the award season, as the dispensation of hardware both venerated the Royals and reminded of their team-wide dominance. The team did not place a finalist in the Cy Young voting or Rookie of the Year voting. Ned Yost was not one of the top three finishers for Manager of the Year. Those awards were voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America before the postseason started.

Cain summarized his team’s ethos when he learned during the World Series he would not win a Gold Glove in center field.

“Come out here and win a World Series ring, it will trump that Gold Glove,” Cain said.

Cain earned that ring a couple of days later. He and his teammates can take solace in them, if they worry about the lack of individual recognition.