2014 MLB NL MVP Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2014 MLB National League MVP Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: While Miguel Cabrera has been busy monopolizing the MVP Award in the American League in recent years, the National League has been a wide-open race since Albert Pujols won back-to-back MVPs in 2008 and 2009. Since then, four players from four different teams playing four different positions have earned NL MVP honors with Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen claiming the award last year. McCutchen was also the fourth straight first-time recipient, and heading into the 2014 MLB season, the race for the NL MVP figures to include a cast of characters once again. With that in mind, here is a closer look at some of the main contenders.

The Favorites

Defending NL MVP winner Andrew McCutchen is arguably the best all-around player in the NL, and that fact alone will give him a chance to repeat in 2014. He is coming off a year when he hit .317 with 21 homers, 84 RBIs, 97 runs scored and 27 steals for a Pittsburgh team that made the playoffs despite an otherwise weak offense. Throw in his rock solid defense in center field, and if McCutchen can keep the Pirates in the playoff mix again in 2014, another MVP Award is well within reason.

He is coming off a breakout season, and Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is just entering his prime. In addition to hitting .302 last season, he led the NL with 36 homers and 125 RBIs while finishing third with 103 runs scored. Those numbers were good enough to make him the runner-up for MVP honors in 2013, and a similar season should have him right back in the mix in 2014.

The Atlanta Braves locked up first baseman Freddie Freeman in the offseason and for good reason. Last year, he hit .319 with 23 home runs, and he ranked second in the NL with 109 RBIs. Meanwhile, he is entering just his fourth full season in the majors, and he has upped his RBI total in every season. Freeman’s bat is going to be stationed in the middle of a talented young Atlanta lineup, and he could be primed for the type of offensive season that can land a guy MVP honors.

The Dark Horses

Although injuries limited him to just 86 games in 2013, Los Angeles shortstop Hanley Ramirez still managed to hit 20 homers, drive in 58 runs and score 62 runs while batting .345. Clearly, Ramirez was back in his All-Star form after a couple of down years, and if he can just on the field, he could end up being the offensive star for a loaded Dodgers’ team. Throw in the fact that he plays a premier position like shortstop, and a strong offensive season will stand out even more in the eyes of MVP voters.

He is the best all-around hitter in the National League, and last year Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto led the NL in walks for the third straight season and on-base percentage for the fourth straight year. Granted, his power numbers were down from his 2010 MVP campaign, but Votto another year to recover from knee surgery should help his home run and RBI totals. Meanwhile, Votto remains the star slugger for a Cincinnati team that has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and his standard production should be enough to put him in the MVP conversation.

Sleeper Special

As his teammate Ryan Braun falls from grace, fellow Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Gomez is coming into his own. Last year, he hit a career-high 24 home runs and stole a career-high 40 bases while batting a career-best .284. Gomez also posted career highs in hits, runs scored, doubles, triples, walks and OPS while winning a Gold Glove. Gomez seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential, and a 30-30 season couple with Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field could certainly be enough to land him MVP honors.

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