Boston Red Sox: Why Adrian Gonzalez Will Win 2012 AL MVP

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Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had a great first year at Fenway with a .338 batting average, 27 home runs and 117 RBI. This was actually a down year considering what he has done in the past several seasons with the San Diego Padres in a ballpark that is one of the worst to hit in, Petco Park.

In 2012, Gonzalez will be the beast in the Red Sox lineup and will carry the team to their first playoff berth since 2009, where they were swept by the Los Angeles Angels.

One Year Under His Belt

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Gonzalez had some trouble hitting at certain times during the 2011 season and sometimes could not hit the ball out of the park for long stretches.

I get it, Gonzalez was just trying not to do too much for the Boston Red Sox, but he is the best hitter in this lineup and, when it comes to eating homers, he needs to to be the one who gets the job done.

This will be the year for Gonzalez to break out in a big way and will easily win AL MVP.

September Collapse Will Haunt Him

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The collapse in September 2011 will be forever engraved in every Boston Red Sox player's mind in 2012, and Gonzalez will benefit the most from thinking about it.

Gonzalez will be the one to hit 15 home runs in September and will carry the team on his back for long stretches when other players can not get their jobs done.

He Still Hits in Fenway

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Fenway Park is naturally the best ballpark for Gonzalez to hit it. His swing is attracted to the Green Monster, and the wall will be peppered with doubles from this guy all season long.

Some reporters say that his 2011 season is what Gonzalez will do every year for the Boston Red Sox, but I see a 50-homer season in him in 2012.

He Now Has Some Clue to AL Pitching

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Gonzalez has dealt with American League pitching for a full year now, and he will be able to deal with the better pitchers in the AL, especially the tough lefties.

Gonzalez had trouble against CC Sabathia among other left-handers, and he should be able to fight back for the Boston Red Sox to be able to hit both lefties and righties the entire 2012 season. He will struggle at times, but overall he will the most dominant and feared hitter in all of baseball in 2012.

Final 2012 Numbers

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Gonzalez will easily make the All Star team and will land in the home run derby in 2012.

The Boston Red Sox slugger will finish with a .316 average, 52 home runs and 135 RBI. He will learn to take the pitches he is given over the Green Monster and will dominate the entire season.