Goldschmidt, Arenado among Gold Glove winners

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s claim on the National League’s MVP Award received a boost on Tuesday when he was announced as one of baseball’s NL Gold Glove winners, given to the best defensive player at each position.

Goldschmidt, 30, captured his third Gold Glove distinction to cap a stellar season that puts him firmly in the MVP conversation. He has twice finished runner-up.

Goldschmidt joins other NL winners in Colorado second baseman DJ LeMahieu, San Francisco shortstop Brandon Crawford, Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado, Chicago right-fielder Jason Heyward, Atlanta center-fielder Ender Inciarte, Cincinnati catcher Tucker Barnhart, Miami left-fielder Marcell Ozuna and Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke.

Arenado is also a candidate to snag the MVP this award season, and now has five Gold Gloves.

American League winners included Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado, Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer, Kansas City left-fielder Alex Gordon, Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Minnesota center-fielder Byron Buxton, Boston right-fielder Mookie Betts and Toronto pitcher Marcus Stroman.

No members of the World Series teams, the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers, made the squad this year.

Baseball’s awards will come to a conclusion next week when it announces Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year along with Cy Young and MVP awards.