Betts, Porcello Finalists For AL MVP, Cy Young Awards
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts and starter Rick Porcello certainly would have liked to see their 2016 seasons end better, but their regular seasons were outstanding enough to have a chance at top honors in the American League.
Betts was named one of the three finalists for the AL MVP award on Monday. The right fielder had a breakout season at the plate, batting .318 with 31 home runs and 113 RBIs and also finished second in the American League (third in the majors) in WAR. He goes up against Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who led the major leagues in WAR and won the award in 2015, and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.
Rick Porcello was also named a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award. He had a career year on the mound, going 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 223 innings. His 22 wins led the league; the AL wins leader has gone on to win the last five AL Cy Young Awards in a row. Porcello's competition for the award is 2011 Cy Young (and MVP) winner Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians' Corey Kluber, who won the award in 2014.
Red Sox fans will be disappointed to see that David Ortiz was left off the AL MVP finalist ballot. Big Papi had a remarkable final season of his career, batting .315 with 38 home runs and leading the league with 127 RBIs. He also led the league in slugging, OPS, and doubles with 48. The superb defense of Trout, Betts, and Altuve certainly factored into their presence on the ballot over Ortiz, who was mainly a designated hitter.
The winners of the awards will be revealed as part of a series of one-hour specials on the MLB Network, all airing at 6 p.m. EST. The Cy Young winners for both leagues will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and the MVP winners will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 17.