Hot Stove Lunch: Which Sox player might follow Betts as AL MVP? Yanks have been warned

So, Mookie Betts is your 2018 AL MVP. That was pretty much a no-brainer after the season Betts had. When someone posts the highest WAR for a position player since Barry Bonds, that's pretty much case-closed.

Betts is under control to the Red Sox for two more seasons, and at just 26, we certainly can't rule out Betts winning another MVP -- either in Boston, or (gulp) elsewhere after 2020.

But for the moment, let's play a game. Betts aside, who might be the next Red Sox player to win an A.L. MVP award?

J.D. Martinez could certainly be in the running, although he'll have the same obstacles as this year: players who are full-time (or mostly full-time) designated hitters have a hard time winning, as voters (increasingly) value defensive contributions.

Xander Bogaerts? Perhaps, though, given the number of superstar shortstops in the league (Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor among them), it may be hard for Bogaerts to separate himself from the field.

Andrew Benintendi? A possibility, though he'll likely have to up his power game and find more consistency. That said, Benintendi has a sweet swing, has the ability to steal bases, plays in the perfect ballpark for his approach and has improved significantly in the outfield. And he's still only 24, with growth in his game still to come.

Finally, there's Rafael Devers. This might seem like a reach, given that, for a time, he lost his starting job to a hobbled super-utility player last year. But Devers has enormous potential and is just 21. If he can find more consistency at the plate and smooth out some rough spots in his defense, he could still evolve into a superstar. His raw power is stunning and a 40-homer season down the line can't be ruled out.

Would welcome your thoughts in the comment section.

Elsewhere...

AL EAST

The Yankees already know what they'd be getting into with Manny Machado, writes Joel Sherman

Joe Maddon is still giving back in the Tampa Bay area.

While they wait to make the hiring of their new GM official, the Orioles find themselves in a legal faceoff with the Washington Nationals.

AL CENTRAL

The Indians are introducing a new alternate uniform, but haven't settled on a new logo to replace Chief Wahoo.

The Twins and Rocco Baldelli hired a new pitching coach.

Anthony Fenech examines whether the Tigers have anyone on their current roster who might qualify for an award next season.

AL WEST

Is it just me, or is Alex Bregman seemingly everywhere this offseason?

The Rangers found some help for behind the plate.

The A's are contemplating a reunion (again) with catcher Kurt Suzuki.

It appears Safeco Field will no longer be called Safeco Field.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Looking to forge a new identity, the Marlins are changing their logo and colors.

HOT TAKE I MIGHT SOON REGRET

I'm all for baseball dragging itself into the 21st century and looking to expand its appeal to younger fans. But the news that MLB will allow players to wear cleats of their choice beginning next season sure seems like much ado about nothing.

In the past, MLB mandated that 51 percent of the colors on a cleat had to represent a team's "primary shoe color.'' Now, however, that restriction is being lifted to allow players to wear cleats with white, black, the primary team color or another color approved by a team.

Um, OK.

I guess it's nice that players now have freedom in determining their footwear of choice. But I fail to see how this represents an opportunity for players to express themselves and "engage with fans through innovative design,'' as MLBPA chief Tony Clark said.

Maybe it's me, but I don't see a legion of young fans identifying with a given player based on the colors of their cleats.