Lorenzo Cain won the ALCS MVP with offense and defense.
Lorenzo Cain won the ALCS MVP in part due to outstanding defense. (USATSI)

A few years ago, Lorenzo Cain was a young and talented player who was sent to the Royals in the "Zack Greinke trade." And now, after the Royals swept the Orioles in the ALCS, Cain is the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player for 2014.

The announcement was made shortly after the Royals beat the Orioles, 2-1, taking the best-of-seven series, four games to none.

Cain, 28, went 8-for-15 (.533) with two doubles, a stolen base and some amazing defense in center -- and right, when Jarrod Dyson would come in for Norichika Aoki in the late innings. Cain also laid down the bunt that advanced the only two baserunners that would score on Wednesday in Game 4.

There were plenty of deserving candidates for the Royals. After all, it was a sweep. Cain feels like the correct choice, though.