Who is the AL MVP?

[gladdyontherise]

I decided to just give this discussion its own topic. Please vote and explain your vote!

[gladdyontherise]

I voted Verlander, and I am aware it may be considered a bias opinion, but when a pitcher is mentioned in the MVP conversation, you know that pitcher is doing something special.

Sure Verlander doesn't play everyday, but as a starting pitcher he's had an influence in 3 games per start. The game before his start, the game he starts, and the game after he starts.

He's been the definition of a horse this season, he'll go out and throw 120-125 pitches almost every start, and sometimes into the 130 range. The biggest stat for me though is he is 16-3 after a Tigers loss this season with an ERA below 1.70, he stops losing streaks from happening or stops a losing streak.

Without Verlander, I believe the Tigers would've been a 3rd place team this season.

[jsab4807]

Adrian Gonzalez. His numbers are incredible...and he plays every day. I just can't justify seeing a guy who only plays AT MOST twice a week win the MVP, no matter how good he is.

[OriolesFan]

It all depends on who ends up on top, the #1 seed in the A L playoffs. If the Tigers end up on top, it will be JV. If the Yankees have the #1 spot it will be Granderson. Gonzalez, as of now, is a distant third.

[jsab4807]

Actually, Ellsbury's had an even better year. So I'd say him.

[jsab4807]

It all depends on who ends up on top, the #1 seed in the A L playoffs. If the Tigers end up on top, it will be JV. If the Yankees have the #1 spot it will be Granderson. Gonzalez, as of now, is a distant third.

Granderson and his .268 average automatically eliminates him.

[gladdyontherise]

Granderson and his .268 average automatically eliminates him.

What is gonna hurt Granderson (besides the batting average) is his own teammates.

Granderson - .268 BA .371 OBP 40 HR 113 RBI
Cano - .303 BA .346 OBP 26 HR 112 RBI
Teixeira - .246 BA .337 OBP 37 HR 104 RBI

Granderson is having a GREAT season, however, you can give Cano just as good of a case as you could Granderson, for the most part.

[Murphy03]

I did not vote for Verlander but he has a solid case. In all other instances (Yankees, Red Sox, etc), they have lost marquee names and kept rolling. Without Verlander, it is true that the Tigers are not a playoff team. Yes, he plays every 4 or 5 days, but when he does, he, in most cases, beats the other team. When you allow your offense the ability to relax and only have to score 1 or two runs, then you as a pitcher are dominating opponents. He gives his team the confidence that they can win every game that Verlander starts. He probably won't get it, but there is not another player in the AL that will have an effect over his teams future like Verlander does. No one.

[key2win]

Curtis Granderson - career numbers and the Yanks are in first place.

[Daqda]

Joey Bats, without him the jays are the worst team in the majors plus he has some of the best all around numbers in the bigs
Player Team Pos G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS IBB HBP SAC SF TB XBH GIDP GO AO GO_AO NP PA
Bautista, J TOR RF 139 480 102 146 23 2 42 100 123 103 8 5 .304 .448 .623 1.071 23 5 0 4 299 67 8 104 139 0.75 2617 612

[OriolesFan]

Unfortunately ,for Bautista, the "Blue Jays" are not in the running. Therefore, with these others having really good to great seasons, and their teams are still in the race, he has very little to no chance of MVP. I know that others from teams that weren't anywhere near making the playoffs have won it, like Cal Ripken & Andre Dawson, but they didn't have the competition those years to challenge them. Bautista is going to have to wait, its not going to happen in 2011.

[ocanseco55]

My gut says Granderson because of his breakout year.. But I would like to see Ellsbury get it he is well deserving for what he has accomplished this year!

[schwood]

First, I will say who I think 'will' win it. I can see an argument for Gonzalez, Ellsbury, Cano, and Granderson. Without any of those guys, their respective teams would not be as good as they are now. But, those teams would find players to fill the void (somewhat) and would have a chance at the playoffs. As a Red Sox fan, I would like to say Gonzalez, but he has slumped as of late. So, I see it as a pretty even race between Granderson, Cano, and Ellsbury. And as leadoff hitters, I think it will be a race between Granderson and Ellsbury. Just my opinion. I give the edge to Granderson. The Yankees are better than the Red Sox this year, and I think this will come into the voting.

Now, onto who I think 'should' be MVP. Justin Verlander. Yeah, I see the argument about the every 5th day or so, but pitchers have won it in the past. And honestly, without JV, where are the Tigers this year? Are they in the race for the playoffs? Don't kill me here gladdy, but I don't think so. He is going to have 25 wins. And I think without him, that gives any of the teams in question the biggest hole on their respective rosters. To me, it is about the 'Most VALUABLE Player'. And a guy that is the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs, and having the statistical year he is having, then that is the guy.

Bautista unfortunately, I have to agree with Rodney, that he won't do it just because of the team he is on.

[gladdyontherise]

First, I will say who I think 'will' win it. I can see an argument for Gonzalez, Ellsbury, Cano, and Granderson. Without any of those guys, their respective teams would not be as good as they are now. But, those teams would find players to fill the void (somewhat) and would have a chance at the playoffs. As a Red Sox fan, I would like to say Gonzalez, but he has slumped as of late. So, I see it as a pretty even race between Granderson, Cano, and Ellsbury. And as leadoff hitters, I think it will be a race between Granderson and Ellsbury. Just my opinion. I give the edge to Granderson. The Yankees are better than the Red Sox this year, and I think this will come into the voting.

Now, onto who I think 'should' be MVP. Justin Verlander. Yeah, I see the argument about the every 5th day or so, but pitchers have won it in the past. And honestly, without JV, where are the Tigers this year? Are they in the race for the playoffs? Don't kill me here gladdy, but I don't think so. He is going to have 25 wins. And I think without him, that gives any of the teams in question the biggest hole on their respective rosters. To me, it is about the 'Most VALUABLE Player'. And a guy that is the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs, and having the statistical year he is having, then that is the guy.

Bautista unfortunately, I have to agree with Rodney, that he won't do it just because of the team he is on.

Don't worry, I won't

I've said many times without Verlander this year, the Tigers are probably a 3rd place team

[Daqda]

Well as i said in some of my arguments that he puts up super numbers on a terrible team, if he's on the yankees or the red sox his stats are 315/55/145 at this point. He's walked way too many times on the jays cause of the not so good offense behind him, and he didn't take steroids. If you hit 100 homers over a two year period, you should win at least 1 MVP award. Plus, he's missed about 15 games and still puts up great numbers, not to mention him sparkiling defense and throwing arm, jose bautista should be your 2011 American league Most Valuble PLayer!