emphasized that he's "received nothing but strong support," suggesting there is no tension with Rogers ownership. Bob McCown of Sportsnet 650 was the first who reported possible heat betwe

Adam Glanzman/Getty ImagesWith just under a one month to play Charlie Blackmon Jersey , the playoff chase isn't the only thing heating up around Major League Baseball.Players around the game are also trying to put the finishing touches on their resume as they look to claim the top individual awards.Here's how the MVP races are shaping up at the beginning of September, according to OddsShark:OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win AL MVP (BovadaOfficial):Mookie Betts -235Mike Trout +450J.D. Martinez +500Jose Ramirez +500Jose Altuve +1000OddsShark OddsSharkUpdated odds to win NL MVP (BovadaOfficial):Freddie Freeman +250Nolan Arenado +260Matt Carpenter +300Javier Baez +350Paul Goldschmidt +600Jacob deGrom +750Christian Yelich +800There are plenty of familiar faces in the American League. Four of the five front-runners finished in the top-six of the 2017 AL MVP voting a season ago. J.D. Martinez was the only not to do so, as he split time between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.Mookie Betts appears to be the favorite at this point, leading the AL with a .336 average to go with 29 home runs, 39 doubles, five triples, 71 RBI and 27 stolen bases. Not only that, but he has won a Gold Glove in each of the past two seasons.Meanwhile, Martinez, a teammate of Betts on the Boston Red Sox, also has a strong case. He has hit .335/.407/.641 with 39 home runs, 36 doubles and a major league-leading 115 RBI.Both players' cases are, of course, bolstered by the fact Boston is running away with the best record in baseball at 97-44. Then again, the fact that both have played at an MVP-caliber level this season could split the votes, ultimately hurting their individual causes.And once again http://www.rockiesfanproshop.com/authentic-jake-mcgee-jersey , Mike Trout remains a candidate. Through his first six full seasons, the Los Angeles Angels star has two MVP awards to his name and has never finished outside of the top four in voting. This year figures to be no exception, as he is hitting .305/.456/.604 with 31 home runs, 21 doubles, four triples, 63 RBI and 22 stolen bases.His argument will likely be hurt by the Angels (67-72) missing the postseason.Don't forget about Cleveland Indians star Jose Ramirez (.287 average, 37 home runs, 34 doubles, three triples, 96 RBI and 29 stolen bases and reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve (.318 average, 10 home runs, 27 doubles, two triples and 51 RBI), either. Both of their respective teams appear to be destined for the postseason.In the National League, there is very little clarity, meaning the final month could be the difference.Freddie Freeman (.305 average Trevor Story Jersey , 20 home runs, 36 doubles and 82 RBI) has led the surprising Atlanta Braves (76-63) to first place in the NL East. Nolan Arenado (.299 average, 31 home runs, 29 doubles and 92 RBI) has helped the surging Colorado Rockies (76-62) grab a hold of the top spot in the NL West.Javier Baez has been showing out for the first-place Chicago Cubs lately. Not only is he tied for the NL lead with 100 RBI, but he also has 30 home runs, 35 doubles, nine triples and 21 stolen bases鈥攁ll while playing all around the infield.As the playoff picture becomes clearer, the awards races may do the same. Despite reports of tension with his bosses at Rogers Communication and rumors that he was looking at taking a job with the New York Mets organization, Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro vowed that he's staying where he is.Talking to reporters on Friday, Shapiro denied the reports that there's heat between he and the higher ups at Rogers, and made it clear he wants to stick with the Blue Jays as he wraps up his third year as Toronto's president and CEO."I feel as, if not more, excited to be here than the day I chose to come here about three years ago..the city and the country and what that鈥檚 meant to me personally and my family being here," Shapiro said, via Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.advertising"It鈥檚 been an exceptional place to be. And then for the potential of the franchise...This is where I want to be, this is where I am Ian Desmond Jersey , this is what I鈥檓 focused on, and really don鈥檛 need to think of anything else." Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsJoel Sherman of the New York Post reported Tuesday that some executives mentioned Shapiro as a potential option to become the Mets' next GM. Sandy Alderson took a leave of absence as he deals with cancer, and isn't expected to resume his duties.Per Davidi, Shapiro said he doesn't "know where those reports come from," and emphasized that he's "received nothing but strong support," suggesting there is no tension with Rogers ownership. Bob McCown of Sportsnet 650 was the first who reported possible heat between the two parties last month.advertisingShapiro took over as Blue Jays president and CEO in 2015, inheriting an ALCS team built by former GM, Alex Anthopolous. The Blue Jays are heading for a second consecutive losing season, and much of the blame has been directed towards Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins.However, the duo have built Toronto's farm system up significantly (ranked third by Baseball America). Top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be playing in 2019, and Bo Bichette, Anthony Alford and Danny Jansen are among the prospects that could have full-time jobs next season.It'd be unorthodox for a team president to leave after just three years, especially with a bright future ahead. Judging by his statements on Friday, Shapiro seems committed to overseeing Toronto's rebuild for the long-term.advertising