AL MVP Candidates

With the Cy Young awards already distributed, it is time to start considering the American League MVP award winner. This year, there are many candidates for this prestigious award. Justin Verlander, who already won the Cy Young, is a candidate. Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, Miguel Cabrera, and Curtis Granderson seem to be the other top candidates.

The argument for Verlander is a very interesting one. There is no doubt that Verlander was the best pitcher in the American League. Many believe that a pitcher who only plays in 34 games, should not be considered for the award, implying that it must be given to a position player who impacts more games. Although Verlander's success greatly affects the rest of the bullpen and startin rotation in a positive way, I think that the MVP should go to a position player.

My pick for the AL MVP would be Jacoby Ellsbury. While attempting to pick the MVP winner, you must first define an MVP caliber player. I believe that the MVP should be the most valuable player to their respected team. In the case of Ellsbury, he was the most important player on the Boston Red Sox this season. His numbers this season were simply amazing as he did it all on the baseball field. While playing Gold Glove caliber defense, Ellsbury batted .321 with 39 stolen bases and an amazing 119 runs scored. What came as a suprise this season was his power. Ellsbury emerged as a great power hitter while hitting 32 bombs and driving in 105 runs. What I forgot to mention was that his did this all from while LEADING OFF!! Had Ellsbury batted 3rd in the order, one has to imagine he could have hit close to 40 home runs and drivin in over 120 runs. No other player has come even close to having the type of season that Jacoby had this year. The only player that holds a threat to Ellsbury is Verlander, who's MVP qualifications are being debated.

Other players that deserve recognition include Jose Bautista. Bautista followed up his break out 2010 season with another great season. While leading the league in OBP (.447) and BB (132), Bautista hit 43 home runs and 103 RBI's. Although he had a great season, Bautista played for a non contending team. Had he played on a contending team, he would probably still lose to Ellsbury, but receive more votes.

Miguel Cabrera, the batting champ of the AL with a .344 average, had another strong season for the Tigers. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 105. In my opinion, Cabrera's numbers are not MVP worthy, but his role on a contending team as a leader is indisputable. Most years, Cabrera should be in the top 2, but with Ellsbury, Bautista, and possibly Verlander, he will not be finish in the top 3 of the voting.