Every Team's MVP Through 3 Quarters of the Season

Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, teams are either preparing for the playoffs or to play the role of spoiler.

After the first 40 and 82 games of the season was completed, I examined every MLB team's roster and established who was the MVP to date for each.

Here we sit now, roughly 120 games in, and the playoff races are getting down to the nitty gritty.

As before, there have been some surprise teams and players, which always seems to be the case, coupled with fantastic drama surrounding the greatest game.

With that being said, I will list whom I had as the team MVP at the 40-game mark with an updated MVP thereafter.

Enjoy!

Arizona Diamondbacks

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Jason Kubel

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Aaron Hill

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Aaron Hill

Both Wade Miley and Paul Goldschmidt have made extremely strong cases for themselves over the past several week, but at the end of the Day, Aaron Hill has been consistent and productive all season long for the D'Backs.

He has played in 111 games for Arizona and owns a .293 average, having driven in 49 RBI, scoring 57 runs of his own.

Hill leads the team in hits with 127, while he is second in doubles with 25 and tied for first with five triples.

Atlanta Braves

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES: 

Martin Prado

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Jason Heyward

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Freddie Freeman

The Atlanta Braves have an incredibly balanced team this season.

From Chipper Jones playing like a young man to Jayson Heyward, Michael Bourn and Martin Prado playing great baseball, to the pitching staff like Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson and the recent addition of Paul Maholm; every member has contributed.

None more so than Freddie Freeman, though.

He leads the team with 76 RBI while batting .278 with an .818 OPS. Freeman has added 15 home runs, 27 doubles and a triple this season.

Baltimore Orioles

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES: 

Adam Jones

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Adam Jones

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Adam Jones

Is there really any room for debate? AJ10 is easily the best player on the Orioles and he has been stellar for the team.

Jones leads the Os in home runs with 24, doubles with 28 and is second in RBI with 58. Team leader Matt Weiters has 59.

He leads the team with a .296 average and an .870 OPS.

Boston Red Sox

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES: 

David Ortiz

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

David Ortiz

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Adrian Gonzalez

With David Ortiz finding himself on the disabled list, the Boston Red Sox needed something to spark the offense.

Is that the understatement of the year, or what?

Adrian Gonzalez answered the bell, proving to be the phenomenal hitter Red Sox fans knew he could be, putting together and 18-game hitting streak.

He has brought his average up to a respectable .306, while adding a team best 80 RBI and 139 hits.

Chicago Cubs

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Bryan LaHair

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Starlin Castro

MVP Through 120 GAMES:

Anthony Rizzo

True, Rizzo has only played in 43 games for the Cubs this season. However, in his short tenure with the team he has managed a .296/.337/.485/.822 batting line.

In addition, Rizzo has belted nine home runs and driven in 25 RBI. 

What Rizzo brings to the Cubs is more than just solid statistics. Fans know him to be the face of the future. He is part of a very bright future for the franchise. Is there really anything more valuable than hope?

Chicago White Sox

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Paul Konerko

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Chris Sale

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Alex Rios

I just can't bring myself to name Adam Dunn the MVP of this White Sox team. No player that owns a .206 batting average should be bestowed that honor in my humble opinion.

Luckily, Alex Rios has been incredible for the ChiSox.

Rios owns a .310 batting average with an .866 OPS, adding 67 RBI with a team leading 29 doubles and six triples, 18 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

In short, he gets it done across the board for Chicago.

Cleveland Indians

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Asdrubal Cabrera

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Chris Perez

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Shin-Soo Choo

Choo is finally having a solid year for himself.

Through 112 games, he owns a .294 average with 14 home runs and 47 RBI. He has added 13 stolen bases and a team best 35 doubles.

It is a wonder that the tribe didn't trade him away before July 31, he could have brought back significant value in return this season.

Cincinnati Reds

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Joey Votto

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Joey Votto

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Johnny Cueto

Joey Votto has been sidelined for the past several weeks, yet the Big Red Machine has yet to bend or break.

The offense has received an unexpected boost from Ryan Ludwick, but team ace Johnny Cueto has been amazing all season.

He leads the team with an NL best 15 wins and a 2.45 ERA. In addition, Cueto is 6-1 in his last seven starts for the Reds, giving up just 14 earned runs in 47 innings of work.

Colorado Rockies

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Carlos Gonzalez

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Carlos Gonzalez

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Carlos Gonzalez

There's no surprise here.

The Rockies are a team that has vastly underperformed this season. One of the lone bright spots on the team has been Carlos Gonzalez.

CarGo owns a .323/.391/.549/.940 batting line with 136 hits, 25 doubles, 20 home runs, 78 RBI and 16 stolen bases, all of which lead the team.

Detroit Tigers

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Austin Jackson

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Miguel Cabrera

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Miguel Cabrera

Forget the Tigers, Miggy may very well be the American League MVP at the rate he's going.

Cabrera has a .327/.388/.585/.974 batting line with a league leading 103 RBI, 30 home runs, 31 doubles and 153 hits.

Oh, and he's been the definition of durable, playing in every game this season for the Tigers.

Houston Astros

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Jose Altuve

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Jed Lowrie & Jose Altuve

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Jose Altuve

Another team that is in full-blow rebuild mode, the brightest spot on the Astros all season long has been their stud, young second baseman, Jose Altuve.

This season he owns a .305/.358/.423/.780 batting line with a team best 134 hits, 29 doubles and four triples.

Altuve also has 31 RBI and 25 stolen bases.

Kansas City Royals

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Billy Butler

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Billy Butler

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Billy Butler

Kansas City Royals fans are still waiting for Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas to break out.

While they show patience with this young team, Billy Butler is leading the way.

He leads the team in home runs with 24 and RBI with 75, while adding 18 doubles and a triple on the heels of 131 hits.

On a random aside: it's great seeing another awesome player in KC wearing number 16. Bo knows what I mean.

Los Angeles Angels

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES: 

Jered Weaver

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Mark Trumbo

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Mike Trout

It may very well be Shark Week, but it is certainly Trout season.

The kid has arrived and in a big way. His name is not only being thrown around as American League Rookie of the Year, which is pretty much a lock, but also as potentially the AL MVP.

That puts him up there with Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki if he can accomplish that feat.

Trout's rookie year has been incredible, to say the least. 

His batting line leads the team across the board at .340/.403/.595/.998. That same .340 batting average leads the AL.

Speaking of leading the AL: he leads the league in runs scored with 93 and stolen bases with 38 as well.

Lest we forget about the 22 home runs and 66 RBI he's added as well.

Los Angeles Dodgers

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Matt Kemp

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Chris Capuano

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw has come on incredibly strong since a slow start to the 2012 season. He is tied for first on the team in wins with 11, however his six losses gives him the best winning percentage on the team at .647.

Furthermore, his ERA leads the team at 2.90 and he owns a team best 1.014 WHIP.

For the sake of redundancy, Kershaw also leads the club in strikeouts with 165, 30 more than Chris Capuano, second on the roster.

Miami Marlins

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Carlos Zambrano

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Giancarlo Stanton

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Jose Reyes

The Marlins made it known that, well, they just aren't that good this year, trading away several pieces in July.

However, they retained their big free agent acquisition in Jose Reyes, and rightfully so. He's been solid for the Marlins this season.

Reyes leads the team with 134 hits and 26 doubles, adding a team best eight triples and finds himself second in steals with 28.

Milwaukee Brewers

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Ryan Braun

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Ryan Braun

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun is quietly having himself another stellar season, and that's probably the way he wants it. 

He is out of the spotlight and the PED scandal headlines, yet continues to produce at a very high level.

This season, Braun is posting a batting line of .299/.377/.567/.944 with 125 hits, 21 doubles, 29 home runs, 77 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Minnesota Twins

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Josh Willingham

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Josh Willingham

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Josh Willingham

The Twins made a heck of a signing when they decided to bring in Josh Willingham. Since arriving in Minnesota he has been a beast.

His 30 home runs and 88 RBI lead the team.

Not to mention his .917 OPS is the best the Twins have to offer. Interestingly enough, Willingham has been hit by a pitch 12 times this season, which also leads the Twins.

New York Mets

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

David Wright

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

R.A. Dickey

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

David Wright

It was a coin toss between Wright and R.A. Dickey once again. Both have been the backbone of this organization.

The emergence of Dickey has been a fantastic story, as has the revitalization of Wright.

At the end of the day, Wright is leading the offense in too many categories to ignore. Starting with his team best batting line of .321/.412/.529/.941, 70 runs, 134 hits, 35 doubles, 75 RBI, 12 steals and 66 walks.

Wright has also added 16 home runs and two triples. 

New York Yankees

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Derek Jeter

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Robinson Cano

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Robinson Cano

Since catching fire this season, Cano really has not looked back.

His .311 batting average is second only to Derek Jeter's .319, while he leads the team with a .372 OBP, .551 SLG and .923 OPS.

Cano has added 25 home runs and 68 RBI to go along with his team leading 32 doubles.

Oakland Athletics

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Josh Reddick

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Josh Reddick

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Yoenis Cespedes

Cespedes knocks Josh Reddick off as the MVP because of one very telling statistic in particular: strikeouts.

Cespedes has only struck out 72 times to Reddick's 115.

That said, the rookie is having a fantastic season. He is batting .301 with a .362 OBP, .498 SLG and .860 OPS.

He's added 14 home runs and 56 RBI in his 83 games this season with 93 hits. That's only 16 fewer hits than Reddick in 28 fewer games.

Philadelphia Phillies

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Jonathan Papelbon

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Carlos Ruiz

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels got his big contract extension and he's thanked the Phillies with an incredibly hot hand this season.

Hamels leads the Phils with a 13-6 record. That's more wins than Doc Halladay and Cliff Lee combined.

He's added a rotation leading 2.91 ERA and a 1.106 WHIP through 163.2 innings of work, chalking up 158 strikeouts on the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Andrew McCutchen

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Andrew McCutchen

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Andrew McCutchen

Cutch is going to be the 2012 National League MVP, let alone the team MVP.

He boasts a MLB best .358 batting average, coupled with a .419/.606/1.025 batting line. McCutchen has driven in 72 RBI on 24 home runs, adding a total of 152 hits with 23 doubles and five triples sprinkled in.

In addition, he's added 14 stolen bases.

San Diego Padres

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Chase Headley

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Chase Headley

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Chase Headley

While Carlos Quentin has come on strong since starting the season on the DL and Yonder Alonso is a lot of fun to watch, Chase Headley has been the most consistent member of the Padres.

He owns a .272/.366/.458/.824 batting line.

Offensively, Headley has added a team best 19 home runs and 73 RBI, while tacking on 119 total hits and 22 doubles.

The Padres were wise to hold onto their MVP at the trade deadline, as he's proving to be one of their greatest commodities. 

San Francisco Giants

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES: 

Melky Cabrera

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Matt Cain

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Buster Posey

The Giants superstar young catcher has been a phenomenal piece to the puzzle this season. With the recent suspension of Melky Cabrera, the Giants are going to need him to continue his hot play.

Posey has transformed into the Beast Man this season, managing a team best .330/.407/.544/.950 batting line while having caught 107 games thus far.

His 19 home runs and 76 RBI both lead the Giants.

Additionally, Posey has scored 51 runs and added 24 doubles to his stat line this season.

Seattle Mariners

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Kyle Seager

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Felix Hernandez

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Felix Hernandez

All hail the (perfect) King.

Felix Hernandez, fresh off of his historic perfect game, remains the main piece in the Mariners puzzle.

King Felix owns four complete-game shutouts this season with an 11-5 record, 2.60 ERA and a 1.044 WHIP.

He has struck out 174 batters, 67 more than next in line on the Mariners.

St. Louis Cardinals

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Carlos Beltran

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Carlos Beltran

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Matt Holliday

While Carlos Beltran has somewhat cooled off (and I use that term loosely), Matt Holliday has been blazing hot. 

Since the All-Star Break, Holliday has belted nine home runs and driven in 25 RBI, bringing his season total to 23 home runs and 81 RBI.

In addition, he is batting .312 with an impressive .931 OPS.

Tampa Bay Rays

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Matt Joyce

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

David Price

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

David Price

David Price continues to roll this season for the Tampa Bay Rays, owning a 15-4 record, the best on the team.

His 2.50 ERA and 1.123 WHIP both lead the Rays as well.

In addition, in his 161.1 innings of work, Price has stuck out 153 batters. What's more, 20 of his 24 starts this season have been quality starts.

Texas Rangers

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Josh Hamilton

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Josh Hamilton

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Josh Hamilton

Despite having some struggles during baseball's third quarter, Josh Hamilton is still the best player on the Texas Rangers.

He leads the team with 34 home runs and 101 RBI.

Hamilton adds a .291/.358/.595/.952 batting line with two triples, 19 doubles amounting to 120 hits in total on the season.

Toronto Blue Jays

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Edwin Encarnacion

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Edwin Encarnacion

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Edwin Encarnacion

Jose Bautista was coming on strong before getting inured for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, Edwin Encarnacion has been incredibly reliable for the Blue Jays this season.

In his 114 games, he owns a .293/.387/.563/.950 batting line.

He has a team best 30 home runs and 80 RBI with 22 doubles and 13 stolen bases.

Washington Nationals

MVP THROUGH 40 GAMES:

Adam LaRoche

MVP THROUGH 80 GAMES:

Gio Gonzalez

MVP THROUGH 120 GAMES:

Jordan Zimmermann

Jordan Zimmermann doesn't have the most wins on the Nationals, that honor belongs to Gio Gonzalez. Nor does he have the most strikeouts, that would be Stephen Strasburg.

What Zimmermann does own is the rotation's best ERA at 2.38 and a 1.086 WHIP.

He has been the most reliable pitcher for the Nats over the past two months, going 6-1 in his last 10 starts, and will be the most important piece of the rotation when Strasburg gets shut down.

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