5 Bold Predictions For The 2015 Detroit Tigers
Prediction #2: The Detroit Tigers will have two players in the top-5 MVP voting
Jul 3, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) receives congratulations from first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) after he hit a home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a fun fact. The last time the Tigers didn’t have a player in the top-5 AL MVP voting was all the way back in 2008. So ever since 2009 the Tigers have had at least one player in the top 5 to win the Most Valuable Player Award.
Some combination of Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and Justin Verlander have been in the top 5 from 2009-2014. When national writers mention star power left and right this is exactly what they mean. The Tigers are stacked in terms of their top talent and it shows in the MVP votes.
Detroit Tigers
So for this prediction to even be considered bold there has to be two Tigers in that top-5. At this point with a healthy Cabrera he seems to be as close to a lock as possible. So who will the other Tiger be?
Could it be the guys that kept this streak alive in Verlander or Martinez? Or will it be another lesser known Tiger that catches fire and breaks out this upcoming season?
Some names I’m thinking of are J.D. Martinez (if he replicates and improves on his crazy 2014) and Yoenis Cespedes (if he can show off his power while also upping his OBP).
The trickiest part of this prediction has to be that it’s just so hard to have two players in the MVP race from the same team. Though the last time this happened for the Tigers was in 2011 (Verlander 1st, Cabrera 5th) it’s still as tricky as it gets.
If one player is absolutely brilliant on the field and his teammate is too then they end up taking votes away from each other.
Except the craziest part of this prediction is how likely it might happen. If Cabrera really does return to his MVP-self and somebody like J.D. Martinez or Cespedes destroys the cover off the ball this prediction becomes realistic.
Obviously two players in the top-5 MVP is unlikely to happen. Except for this Tigers team that’s over filled with talent it might really happen. The 2015 MLB season will be a sight to see for Tigers fans excited for the bats.
Next: Anibal Sanchez