What happened: Junior Caminero finished second in American League Most Valuable Player voting following the 2026 season. Caminero played all 162 games, batting .276 with 42 home runs, 101 RBIs, and 100 runs scored.
Why it matters: The runner-up finish caps a dominant campaign for Caminero, who posted 5.8 bWAR and led MLB with 11 home runs on pitches outside the strike zone. His production also secured 2026 All-MLB First Team honors, solidifying his role as a foundational centerpiece.
By the numbers: 2026 regular season: 162 games, .276/.360/.524, 42 HR, 101 RBI, 100 R, .885 OPS, 5.8 bWAR.
What to watch: Caminero enters the upcoming 2027 season positioned to anchor the lineup and build on his first career top-two MVP finish.