AL MVP Race

The frontrunners...

1. Milton Bradley - .325 AVG - .447 OBP - .588 SLG - 21 HR - 68 RBI - 4 SB - 173 OPS+
2. Alex Rodriguez - .312 AVG - .402 OBP - .590 SLG - 28 HR - 78 RBI - 16 SB - 160 OPS+
3. Carlos Quentin - .289 AVG - .396 OBP - .577 SLG - 36 HR - 99 RBI - 7 SB - 151 OPS+
4. Josh Hamilton - .301 AVG - .365 OBP - .543 SLG - 29 HR - 116 RBI - 7 SB - 138 OBS+
5. Kevin Youkilis - .318 AVG - .383 OBP - .568 SLG - 24 HR - 89 RBI - 3 SB - 141 OPS+

Others to consider: Justin Morneau, J.D. Drew, Grady Sizemore, Jermaine Dye and Aubrey Huff

Stats as of 8/25

I omitted pitchers because I don't think any of them are close to winning it.

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If I had a vote, my top 5 would be the above list in that order.

Tough call. The frontrunners all play for bad teams and it's the most valuable player, not most outstanding player. I guess it's Carlos Quentin

Ask me in a month!

A lot could happen by then

catbox_9 wrote:

Tough call. The frontrunners all play for bad teams and it's the most valuable player, not most outstanding player. I guess it's Carlos Quentin

But isn't that the definition of "valuable?" How do you measure value without using stats? Doesn't the player with the best stats give the most value to his team? Why punish a player because his teammates suck?

bobrob2004 wrote:

catbox_9 wrote:

Tough call. The frontrunners all play for bad teams and it's the most valuable player, not most outstanding player. I guess it's Carlos Quentin

But isn't that the definition of "valuable?" How do you measure value without using stats? Doesn't the player with the best stats give the most value to his team? Why punish a player because his teammates suck?

Well without Bradley and Hamilton the Rangers don't go to the playoffs. With them, they still don't. Without Quentin the White Sox probably don't go and right now it looks like they will.

I think it should be the MOP instead of MVP to avoid punishing players on bad teams, but that's not the way it's titled. The Cy Young in theory is the most outstanding pitcher, but since all the voters care about is wins you almost have to be on a good team. Cliff Lee-type seasons aren't all that common.

catbox_9 wrote:

bobrob2004 wrote:

catbox_9 wrote:

Tough call. The frontrunners all play for bad teams and it's the most valuable player, not most outstanding player. I guess it's Carlos Quentin

But isn't that the definition of "valuable?" How do you measure value without using stats? Doesn't the player with the best stats give the most value to his team? Why punish a player because his teammates suck?

Well without Bradley and Hamilton the Rangers don't go to the playoffs. With them, they still don't. Without Quentin the White Sox probably don't go and right now it looks like they will.

I think it should be the MOP instead of MVP to avoid punishing players on bad teams, but that's not the way it's titled. The Cy Young in theory is the most outstanding pitcher, but since all the voters care about is wins you almost have to be on a good team. Cliff Lee-type seasons aren't all that common.

I agree, MVP shouldn't be tied with team wins. I mean, take any average power hitter (Guerrero, Bay, Ibanez, etc.) and replace Quentin with him and the White Sox are still no worse then they are. It's not like Quentin is the sole reason they may make the playoffs (not one player can). Say Quentin would've gotten injured mid-season? Would the White Sox throw in the towel and say "oh well" or would they have tried to get someone like Ibanez? How valuable can someone really be if they can easily be replaced?

So then a player having a great season, Bradley, gets screwed because his teammates (most of them) suck. It's not fair.

Abrey Huff is making a very strong case now. In fact, he's entered my top 5.

1. Milton Bradley
2. A-Rod
3. Carlos Quentin
4. Abrey Huff
5. Kevin Youkilis

With Carlos Quentin out for most the rest of the season, (although I think he wasnt an MVP, Thome and Dye were producing well also) My vote will be switched to the red hot Dustin Pedroia!