TDA Bullpen - Our Writers' Blog

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

Have you all heard this talk about Alex Rodriguez being chosen for the AL MVP this year? I'm not buying it either, but frankly, who else is there in the American League? Most of the teams in the playoffs have played like teams. As I've harped on for the last few weeks, the A's, BoSox, and Yanks have all-around great lineups and rotations. You can't pick one Albert Pujols-like player as the leader in the clubhouse who has single-handedly led his team to a spot in the playoffs.

So who would make it in the AL according to some of the guidelines that voters use?

If you believe that the player is on a contending team, you're in trouble. Any Chicago White Sox player, specifically Frank Thomas, is automatically out of the running since the team has faltered in the last month. Would you pick a player like Manny Ramirez or Miguel Tejada with their great-but-not-overpowering numbers? They don't stand out from other players with similar numbers. How about voters who believe that it's the most valuble player in the entire league, regardless of record? Sure, I'd take A-Rod any day...but Vernon Wells' stats are almost just as good (with exception to HRs, and Vernon's average is better). And the Blue Jays are a better team than the Rangers, making Vernon even more valuble.

Anybody want to pick a pitcher for AL MVP? Pedro Martinez is back, but he doesn't have enough wins (14). Tim Hudson? Part of a great staff. My pick would be Roy Halladay, but that's what the Cy Young is for.

Finally, there's the idea that the MVP is the game-changer. The spark plug. The go-to guy. The Minnesota Twins have been significantly better with Shannon Stewart, as ESPN.com's Jason Stark pointed out, but would you pick a guy with good, not overpowering, numbers simply because a team played incredibly after he arrived? Sorry, Shannon.

So, I'll take A-Rod. He may be on one of the worst teams in baseball, but look at his dominance at the plate that almost no one else has had this year in the AL. Can you think of anyone better? I thought so.

posted by Charles Curtis 10:44 PM