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Ranking Top 10 Early AL MVP Candidates Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

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Top 10 Early AL MVP Candidates for 2015

Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners
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Plenty of player movement this offseason threatens to shake up the landscape of the AL MVP race in the 2015 season. Here's how the top 10 early candidates stack up.

10. Michael Brantley

Seattle Mariners v Cleveland Indians
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10. Michael Brantley

Seattle Mariners v Cleveland Indians
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Brantley has been one of the more underrated outfielders in the league for quite a while now. Last season for the Indians, Brantley hit 20 home runs and drove in 97 runs while batting for a .327 average. If he continues progressing into next year, then he will be in the All-Star game and possibly even the MVP discussion.

9. Adam Jones

New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
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9. Adam Jones

New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
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Jones had a solid 2014 campaign, batting .281 with 29 home runs and 96 RBIs en route to his fourth All-Star game appearance. The Baltimore Orioles will be relying on him heavily next year after losing Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis in free agency. At age 29, Jones appears poised for another big season.

8. Victor Martinez

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
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8. Victor Martinez

Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals
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Martinez had a remarkable 2014 season, which landed him second in the MVP voting last year. He set career highs in OBP (.409) and OPS (.974) while playing for the Detroit Tigers. Martinez seems to have plenty left in the tank even at age 36, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

7. Jose Bautista

Kansas City Royals v Toronto Blue Jays
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7. Jose Bautista

Kansas City Royals v Toronto Blue Jays
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Bautista emerged as a perennial All-Star after his breakout year in 2010. Last season, he finished sixth in the MVP voting, but his Toronto Blue Jays failed to make the playoffs once again. With a loaded lineup and an improved rotation, Bautista hopes to lead Toronto to the postseason in 2015.

6. Nelson Cruz

Division Series - Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers - Game Three
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6. Nelson Cruz

Division Series - Baltimore Orioles v Detroit Tigers - Game Three
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The MLB's reigning home run king will be changing scenery next season from Baltimore to Seattle. Cruz cashed in on a 40-homer season and signed a huge contract with the Mariners in free agency. It'll be interesting to see how he performs next year after proving himself and earning such a lucrative deal.

5. Josh Donaldson

Wild Card Game - Oakland Athletics v Kansas City Royals
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5. Josh Donaldson

Wild Card Game - Oakland Athletics v Kansas City Royals
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Oakland A's GM Billy Beane is highly regarded as one of the best in the business, but he made a severe mistake by trading away the talented Donaldson. Last year, he emerged as an All-Star and MVP candidate, smashing 29 home runs and driving in 98 runs. Donaldson will have a huge impact on his new team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and he just might be the player Toronto needed to break through to the playoffs next year.

4. Robinson Cano

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
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4. Robinson Cano

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
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Though his power numbers significantly diminished in his first season in Seattle, Cano still had a brilliant year in 2014. His .314 batting average and .836 OPS landed him fifth in the MVP voting last season. Once he figures out the intricacies of his home ball park, his power numbers should return and so should the MVP contention.

3. Jose Abreu

Chicago White Sox v Detroit Tigers
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3. Jose Abreu

Chicago White Sox v Detroit Tigers
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Abreu came over from Cuba and had an incredible season, earning the Rookie of the Year award in 2014. In his first year with the Chicago White Sox, Abreu smashed 36 home runs and knocked in 107 runs. It appears that plenty more long balls are on the horizon for Abreu next season, which could lead to an MVP.

2. Miguel Cabrera

ALDS Game 3: Baltimore Orioles v. Detroit Tigers
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2. Miguel Cabrera

ALDS Game 3: Baltimore Orioles v. Detroit Tigers
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It's hard to count out Miguel Cabrera for the 2015 AL MVP after somewhat of a down year in 2014. Cabrera's numbers dropped in almost every significant offensive category last season, which was understandable after two incredible MVP seasons in 2012 and 2013. With extra motivation to return to form, Miggy should be right back in the thick of the discussion next season.

1. Mike Trout

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Oakland Athletics
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1. Mike Trout

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Oakland Athletics
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Mike Trout has emerged as the face and future of MLB. He set career highs last season with 36 home runs and 111 RBIs as he won his first MVP award. At the young age of 22, Trout has unlimited potential to become one of the greatest ball players of all time. He's too talented and committed to not have a shot at repeating as AL MVP next year.

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