AL MVP?

[ArnoldBabar]

Inspired by the ROY thread, I wanted to start a companion MVP thread. Because, ahem, some people have to vote for the damn thing and list a top 10 in order. And this year seems like the least straightforward race in a long time.

Thoughts? Recommendations? And in your opinion, how high should a strong candidate on a non-playoff team (like Hamilton) be voted?

 

[Angola!]

1. Josh Hamilton.

After that, I really don't know.

 

[BYH]

1.) Erik Bedard

 

[Angola!]

1.) Erik Bedard

2.) Francisco Liriano

 

[ArnoldBabar]

1.) Erik Bedard

This is not a vote for "people I would like to kill with my bare hands," or you'd be right.

 

[BYH]

1.) Erik Bedard

This is not a vote for "people I would like to kill with my bare hands," or you'd be right.

Then I would have voted myself first. *****.

 

[BYH]

In all seriousness...if you're going with a guy who made the difference between his team making the playoffs and missing it, Kevin Youkilis might be the MVP. Where would the Red Sox be without him?

Of course, his history suggests he'll tail off at some point. But he's already had a career year and it's only mid-August.

 

[mike311gd]

1.) Erik Bedard

This is not a vote for "people I would like to kill with my bare hands," or you'd be right.

Then I would have voted myself first. *****.

You'd be a unanimous write-in, Lewis.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

1.) Erik Bedard

This is not a vote for "people I would like to kill with my bare hands," or you'd be right.

Then I would have voted myself first. *****.

Believe it or not, I think I'd kill him for less than a Fresca. Maybe an RC, even.

 

[BYH]

How about a Sam's Club can?

 

[Football_Bat]

Manny Ramirez. He's been raking since the end of July.








Say what?

 

[Dickens Cider]

Carlos Quentin

 

[Shaggy]

1. Hamilton
2. Quentin
3. Kinsler
4. Youkilis

After that, ???? Evan Longoria, K-Rod, A-Rod, Cliff Lee and Sizemore probably get top 10, no?

 

[Kato]

Morneau should be in the mix.

 

[spnited]

Isn't Derek Jeter the MVP every year?

 

[casty33]

I haven't thought much about it but, at this point, it would be hard to argue with Quentin. One thing I wonder is how voters may treat Francisco Rodriguez. I throw that out on this board especially since I know so many of you hate the idea of closers in MVP talk. And don't start screaming at me, I'm not saying I would vote for him but simply asking the question of where he may fit in the discussion.

 

[Dickens Cider]

I haven't thought much about it but, at this point, it would be hard to argue with Quentin. One thing I wonder is how voters may treat Francisco Rodriguez. I throw that out on this board especially since I know so many of you hate the idea of closers in MVP talk. And don't start screaming at me, I'm not saying I would vote for him but simply asking the question of where he may fit in the discussion.

He's not even having the best season among closers. He's just racking up the save totals because his team has played a disproportionately high amount of close games. I'd argue Nathan and Rivera are having better seasons, and they're nowhere near the MVP discussion.

 

[Cosmo]

Hamilton
Quentin
Youkilis
Morneau
A-Rod
Sizemore
Kinsler
Dye
Pedroia
Markakis

Not a huge fan of voting pitchers in MVP votes, seeing as they have the Cy Young.

 

[spnited]

I haven't thought much about it but, at this point, it would be hard to argue with Quentin. One thing I wonder is how voters may treat Francisco Rodriguez. I throw that out on this board especially since I know so many of you hate the idea of closers in MVP talk. And don't start screaming at me, I'm not saying I would vote for him but simply asking the question of where he may fit in the discussion.

He's not even having the best season among closers. He's just racking up the save totals because his team has played a disproportionately high amount of close games. I'd argue Nathan and Rivera are having better seasons, and they're nowhere near the MVP discussion.

How many save chances has Rodriguez blown?

 

[outofplace]

Morneau should be in the mix.

Paging Zeke....

Hamilton's numbers are better by a significant margin, but if the Twins make the playoffs and the Rangers do not, Morneau should get the nod. Team success should be a factor and Hamilton also has a much better lineup around him. Ian Kinsler should also be in everybody's top 10 for AL MVP and Milton Bradley is having a career year batting behind Hamilton.

Youkillis also belongs in the top 10, but he has also had either Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz or both to help him out all season. He may be Boston's most valuable player for the season, but has he ever been the most feared hitter in that lineup?

A couple of people mentioned Carlos Quentin, who is the biggest reason for the improvement of the White Sox this year from last, but he has Jermaine Dye putting up big numbers behind him.

If things end up as they are right now, I'd give it to Hamilton only because the Twins would miss the playoffs (they are a half-game behind the White Sox at the moment). Here is my top five for now, but I'd switch the top two if the Twins get in.

1. Hamilton
2. Morneau
3. Quentin
4. Kinsler
5. Youkilis