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Boston Red Sox stars will factor heavily in the AL MVP race

By Sean Penney

TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by J.D. Martinez #28 after scoring a run in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 12, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by J.D. Martinez #28 after scoring a run in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 12, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 14: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits a home run against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 14: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits a home run against the New York Yankees in the first inning at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Jose Ramirez

Ramirez had a strong case going for him at the All-Star break but a second-half slide will cost him. The 26-year old saw his batting average plummet to .223 after the break, including a putrid .185 average in September. Voters favor a strong finish and Ramirez simply didn’t give us one.

The overall season numbers still place Ramirez among the elite though. He finished with a .272 average that was derailed by his late-season fade but his .944 OPS was fourth in the league and he was fifth with a .388 OBP.

A few weeks ago, Ramirez had a shot at the home run title, trading places with Martinez at the top seemingly on a daily basis. Oakland’s Khris Davis ended up racing by both of them to lead the league with 47 but Ramirez still finished tied for fourth with 39.

He also finished third with 34 steals, making him one of only two 30/30 players in the majors. You’ve probably heard of the other guy to join that club this year, although it’s worth noting that Ramirez tallied more homers and steals than his fellow 30/30 member.

Ramirez is no Gold Glove candidate but he plays both second and third at an above-average level. He’s a bit better at second base, where he’s been playing since the Indians acquired Josh Donaldson.

His candidacy appeared much stronger when he was hitting over .300, as he’s done in each of the last two seasons, yet Ramirez provided tremendous value in several other areas. His 7.9 bWAR was fourth in the league and he’s third with 8.1 fWAR.

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