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Yankees' Robinson Cano named finalist for AL MVP

Robinson Cano is one of five finalists for the AL MVP award, the third straight year he has been one of the top ten vote-getters for the trophy. Also nominated are Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre.

By Rodger Sherman
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano is one of five finalists for the AL MVP, which will be announced Nov. 15.

Cano probably won't win the award - almost every prediction has narrowed the list of potential winners to two, rookie Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers - but Cano's recognition among the top five is a nice reward for a great season. Cano has been among the top 10 vote-getters each of the past three seasons, finishing third in 2010 and sixth in 2011, and arguably improved this past year: his .313 batting average is the second-best of his career, and his 33 home runs were a career-high. Cano had the second-most wins above replacement of any position player in the league, behind Trout. Despite his phenomenal season, Cano performed poorly in the postseason, only registering three base-hits in 40 at-bats.

If Cano were to win, it would be the 23rd time a Yankee would receive the award and first since Alex Rodriguez in 2007. Besides Cano, Trout, and Cabrera, Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton earned nominations.