The finalists for the Major End-of-Year MLB Awards came out on Monday and while some things went as planned for the Red Sox like Alex Cora being up for Manager of the Year in the American League, and Mookie Betts being up for the MVP, others did not.
For instance, JD Martinez was left out of the final three for the MVP despite being a stud offensive performer this year:
J.D. Martinez was not one of the three AL MVP finalists, a sign of changing standards among voters. Where he ranked in AL:
RBI: 1
HR: 2
BA: 2
R: 3
OPS: 3
OBP: 3
SLG: 2WAR: 7
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 5, 2018
Betts, Mike Trout of the Angels and Jose Ramirez of the Indians were the three finalists.
And Chris Sale was left off the Cy Young final ballot after missing most of the last two months of the season. Sale was likely the front runner before heading to the DL at the end of July. He came back at the end of the regular season and made a few abbreviated starts to get ready for the playoffs.
Corey Kluber of the Indians, Justin Verlander of the Astros and Blake Snell of the Rays were the three finalists.
