To trace how Astros third baseman Alex Bregman has inserted himself into the American League Most Valuable Player conversation, we begin with a conversation that took place a few days after last season ended.
"I witnessed an MVP firsthand in Jose Altuve," Bregman said. "I asked him what he did during the offseason, and he said he trains his core."
More on that later. Here's the abbreviated case for Bregman:
u25aa Fourth in the AL in Wins Above Replacement at 7.40.
u25aa First in the Majors extra-base hits (81) and doubles (50).