It is possible to overthink the A.L. Most Valuable Player Award race and find a reason not to honor Mike Trout. The Angels had another losing season. Trout did not play after Sept. 7 because of a foot injury. Alex Bregman was terrific for Houston, and shifted from third base to shortstop when Carlos Correa was hurt. The Yankees’ D.J. LeMahieu was a force at three infield spots as teammates fell to injuries all around him.

Trout’s narrative was not as compelling. He was simply the best in the league, as he always is, providing more value than any other player. Yes, his teammates often failed to translate that value into victories — but Trout’s value was still there.

He hit 45 homers, batted .291 and leads the A.L. in on-base percentage (.438) and slugging percentage (.645). He scored 110 runs and drove in 104. He had 303 total bases (more than he had in 2016, his last M.V.P. season), and came to bat 600 times despite the injury.

Trout did it all, of course, while meeting the demands of center field. How many other center fielders (with a minimum 100 games) have hit 45 homers with an O.P.S. as high as Trout’s 1.083? Hack Wilson in 1930, Joe DiMaggio in 1937 and Mickey Mantle in 1956 and 1961.

Runners-up: 2) Bregman, Astros; 3) LeMahieu, Yankees; 4) Marcus Semien, A’s; 5) Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox; 6) Justin Verlander, Astros; 7) Nelson Cruz, Twins; 8) Gerrit Cole, Astros; 9) Matt Chapman, A’s; 10) George Springer, Astros

N.L. CY YOUNG AWARD

Jacob deGrom, Mets