The biggest snubs from the MLB award finalists

The second-guessing is inevitable. MLB announced its award finalists Monday, and there's definite room for improvement. While the nominees are mostly deserving, there are a few names who should've made the cut.

Here's a look at the biggest snubs, including in the Al and NL MVP categories which were more egregious than the others:

AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels

It's the first time in Trout's career that he's failed to finish among the top two in MVP voting - not counting his abbreviated audition in 2011. This is most assuredly linked to his late-May thumb injury when he missed 48 games. And yet, he still posted career highs in OPS and WRC+ and was on track for a finish comparable to previous seasons. Only Joey Votto had a higher OBP, and Trout even stole 22 bases. If he played a full season, not only would Trout have received a nomination, he would've won the darn thing.

NL MVP: Anthony Rendon, Nationals

It's almost like no one bought into Rendon even after he sustained his production for the entire season. His three-homer, 10-RBI game against the Mets in late April deserves special mention, but it's not like this came out of nowhere. He's had one subpar season, and that was an injury-riddled 2015 when he played only 80 games. Rendon was one of only four players with at least 25 home runs who walked more than he struck out. He also matched MVP front-runner Giancarlo Stanton for the NL lead with 6.9 WAR. His absence here is a crime.

AL Cy Young: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox

Even though voters pretty much aced the AL Cy Young finalists, the league's best reliever deserved better. Kimbrel basically didn't allow baserunners, and rarely let them score if they were inherited (93.9 percent strand rate). A year after being something of a disappointment in his first season in Boston, he regained his command, walking only 1.83 batters per nine innings.

NL Cy Young: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers

Some will scoff at the mere suggestion that a reliever should receive Cy Young consideration, but Jansen is special. He was even more impressive than Kimbrel. Jansen led all of baseball in Win Probability Added. Basically, if he entered the game, it was over. Oh, and for the traditionalists, he also led the NL in saves.

AL Rookie of the Year: Mitch Haniger, Mariners

The Rookie of the Year winners were decided long ago, but that doesn't mean the runners-up need to be afterthoughts. Haniger showed himself to be a balanced hitter through his inaugural season with the Mariners despite an oblique injury derailing his campaign at the end of a monster April when he hit .342/.447/.608 with four home runs. He was worth more WAR than actual ROY nominee Trey Mancini in nearly half as many games.

NL Rookie of the Year: Rhys Hoskins, Phillies

Hoskins crushed 18 home runs in only 50 games, despite failing to go deep over his final 16 games. He showcased his raw power while only striking out 46 times in 212 plate appearances. Small sample size notwithstanding, his debut stretch was a thrill ride for a Phillies team that would otherwise like to forget 2017. He also led rookies in hard contact at 46 percent.

AL Manager of the Year: Joe Girardi, Yankees

The New York Yankees made it to within a win of the World Series, but everyone still hates Joe. It was already a bit of a shock to see the Yankees pass on re-signing Girardi, but voters doing the same is downright silly. Girardi's team defeated two teams - the Twins and Indians - whose managers were nominated instead. If (when) he returns to managing, Girardi should have a massive chip on his shoulder.

NL Manager of the Year: Craig Counsell, Brewers

That the Milwaukee Brewers nearly made the postseason should be enough for Counsell to have gotten a nod. Apparently not. The expectations were low, and Counsell received massive help from a relatively anonymous starting rotation that included Jimmy Nelson emerging as a legitimate front-end starter. At 86-76, they missed the playoffs by a single game behind Bud Black's Colorado Rockies. Had they snuck in, Black would probably be on this list instead.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)