AL MVP (1 Viewer)

[Leroy Hoard]

Mauer is producing at this level playing Catcher - that really should wrap it up, but voters love the RBI too much.

Not enough credit is given for the position played, catcher is by far the hardest on a daily basis.

 

[the moops]

Tom Verducci chimes in. Link

AL MVP

1. Dustin Pedroia

2. Joe Mauer

3. Carlos Quentin

4. Justin Morneau

5. Kevin Youkilis

6. Grady Sizemore

7. Josh Hamilton

8. Carlos Pena

9. Frankie Rodriguez

10. Alex Rodriguez

Pedroia is the 2008 version of the 2007 Jimmy Rollins: high-end production and every-day reliability while playing superbly in the middle of the diamond. Among players on contending teams, not just playoff teams, Pedroia had the most hits, the most runs, the most doubles, the most total bases and the most times on base. His daily work ethic -- is there a defensive player who lays out for more balls than Pedroia? -- has become a source of leadership. Mauer and Morneau have similar candidacies; both were beasts with runners on, with Mauer's contribution all the more impressive because of the importance of his position. But Mauer had 80 fewer total bases than Pedroia and Morneau hit just .250 in September with two home runs.

 

[the moops]

Jon Heyman is a complete idiot. He picks Manny for NL MVP, K-Rod for AL MVP, Santana for NL Cy Young and Lee for AL Cy Young. Link

NL MVP

1. Manny Ramirez, Dodgers. The savant saved the storied franchise, slugging .743 and lifting the Dodger dogs to the NL West title.

2. CC Sabathia, Brewers. Carried them with three straight outings on three days' rest, and oh yes, had a league-leading seven complete games.

3. Ryan Howard, Phillies. Huge September (.352, 11 HRs) probably will get him the award.

4. Brad Lidge, Phillies. Second perfect season for a closer ever. That's 41 for 41 in a park that was supposed to be tough on him.

5. Albert Pujols, Cardinals. Kept the Cardinals in the hunt with .357 average despite a banged-up elbow.

6. Ryan Braun, Brewers. Two big bombs in final week aids his cause.

7. Johan Santana, Mets. Worth every penny after a perfect second half (8-0, 2.17 ERA).

8. Carlos Delgado, Mets. Great power run put Mets in playoff position before they blew it again.

9. Chase Utley, Phillies. Huge start still counts.

10. Lance Berkman, Astros. Houston was just a little too late to the party.

NL LVP: Andruw Jones, Dodgers. He hit .158. What can you say? The worst ever. And at $18 million, no less. The anti-Manny.

AL MVP

1. Francisco Rodriguez, Angels. An alltime great season with a record 62 saves.

2. Carlos Quentin, White Sox. Broke his hand in a fit of anger, costing him the top spot here.

3. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox. The "jockey'' may actually win it with a scrappy attitude and solid stats (118 runs, 54 doubles).

4. Justin Morneau, Twins. Without him and his 129 RBIs, what does that lineup look like?

5. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox. The Red Sox campaign is for Pedroia, but this guy is just as pesky (.569 slugging, 115 RBIs).

6. Joe Nathan, Twins. Another great, underappreciated Twins star.

7. Joe Mauer, Twins. Great two-way catcher who won another batting title (.330) and is easily the best in his business.

8. Jermaine Dye, White Sox. Unnoticed star had a nice season.

9. Josh Hamilton, Rangers. As talented as anyone playing, including A-Rod, and 130 RBIs doesn't hurt his cause.

10. Evan Longoria, Rays. Even better, they already locked him up for six years.

AL LVP: Richie Sexson, Mariners, Yankees. Hit .221 overall and was absolutely terrible on both coasts.