5 AL MVP candidates turn on satellite TV

With the latest AL MVP award going to Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, it’s hard to imagine anyone taking the dynamic star catcher’s place. He wins virtually every batting title and plays the most demanding position in the field better than any other catcher in the game. Does anyone have a chance? Every season, stars emerge and others come back to form. In 2010, several players seek to challenge Mauer’s supremacy in satellite television. Here are five to watch throughout the season.

1. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox. Konerko’s monster start to the 2010 season has people wondering when he will leave the slugger. With pace for about 70 home runs, he’ll most likely calm down. However, Ozzie Guillén and company are hoping he doesn’t, as Konerko and Andruw Jones have been responsible for most of the club’s production. Watch Konerko on the White Sox’s HD networks as they challenge the Twins.

2. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees. While most analysts look to the other half of the Yankees’ double-play combination (Derek Jeter) when they line up MVP candidates, Cano is having the kind of year that could finally draw attention to his side of the field. Diamond. Hitting close to .400 and hitting home runs at a frightening rate, Cano has the advantage over dunkers like Konerko because of his excellent glove work at second base. Few players are as talented as Cano, this year could be his for everything to go well. Follow him on the YES HD network.

3. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays. Another feared AL East hitter on the MVP shortlist is Rays 3B Evan Longoria. With a sports-Gold Glove-caliber defense and offensive stats to make pitchers tremble, it seems like a Longoria MVP trophy is just one offseason away from Joe Mauer. On top of that, it looks like the Rays and Yankees will battle it out all summer on satellite TV for first place in Major League Baseball’s toughest division. See if Longoria and the Rays can trade blows with the defending fields.

4. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers. Big Miggy had some personal issues at the end of 2009, but his start in 2010 has shown that he hasn’t let anything get to him. Still hitting around .360 and anchoring a somewhat inconsistent lineup, Cabrera is one of the toughest situational hitters in the game. Follow him on the Tigres HD networks.

5. Kendry Morales, Angels of Anaheim. The switch-hitting Cuban slugger put his name on the MLB scoreboard in 2009 and he hasn’t dropped a second since. Morales has power in every field, few weaknesses at the plate and hits home runs galore. Mark Teixeira may be the only other AL first baseman with that kind of arsenal, but Morales has more room to grow (it would be hard for Teixeira to top his 2009 numbers). Watch him keep the Angels in contention with the MLB Extra Innings Package.