Joe Mauer

The American League MVP race is a hot debate, with most not agreeing and another person bringing up another viable option. The MVP should be the best player in the league, regardless of whether or not the team is in the playoffs. But most believe the MVP should be on a winning team because it means that player is THAT good to carry his team.

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins leads the majors in hitting. As a catcher, Mauer plays the most demanding position in the game, yet he still puts up huge offensive numbers year in and year out. The Twins are fighting for a playoff spot, and with the loss of slugger Justin Morneau, there is more pressure on Mauer to perform offensively. Mauer is also battling for his second consecutive batting title. The only knock on Mauer is that he missed the first month of the season recovering from injury.

The New York Yankees have two MVP candidates: Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. The captain of the Yankees, Jeter is yet again putting up solid offensive numbers while batting leadoff. Just when the talking heads stated that Jeter was too slow and old to continue playing shortstop, he has been more than up to the challenge. Some say that when Mark Teixeira got hot, so did the Yankees. Teixeira is closing in on 40 homers and over 120 RBIs, while continuing his great defense at first. Teixeira seemed to be fighting the pressure early on of playing in NY and for the Yankees, but seemed to settle in once the calendar turned to May and Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. Despite being a perennial slow starter, Teixeira has his average around .290. The knock on both Jeter and Teixeira is how can two players from the same team compete for the MVP when they may not be the best player on their team? They will probably pull votes away from each other, opening the door for another candidate.

Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers has helped the Tigers stay in 1^st place in the Central for most of the season. Cabrera has been the lone bright spot in the offensive lineup for the Tigers. Yes, the Tigers are in 1^st place, but the offense has been inconsistent and disappointing, except for Cabrera. Cabrera has 100 RBIs in his 6^th straight season. Cabrera epitomizes the MVP, offensively he has carried his team and hopefully into the postseason.

Ichiro is the heart and soul for the Seattle Mariners. He has amassed 200+ hits for 9 straight seasons, his first 9 seasons in professional baseball in the US. Ichiro runs well and also plays a great right field. A prototypical leadoff hitter that doesn’t show much power during games, Ichiro hit his first career walk-off HR off of Mariano Rivera on 9/18. That was one day after winning the game in the 14^th inning with a walk-off single against the Chicago White Sox.

The sleeper of the MVP race is the LA Angels Bobby Abreu, who may have been the best off season free agent signing. Abreu has helped the Angels’ hitters have a more patient approach at the plate, which has led to almost every hitter hitting around .300. As of late, Abreu has been struggling at the plate, though his overall numbers are still good. He can also run, as his 29 stolen bases can attest. Abreu has also reached 100 RBIs in 7 straight seasons.

Who should win: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

152 G/155       .329     32 HR 100 RBI

32 doubles       63 BB/ 105 K

Who will win: Mark Teixeira, NY Yankees

151 G/157       .294     38 HR   120RBI

43 doubles       79 BB/ 112K

OR

Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

130 G/155       .371     28 HR   92 RBI

28 doubles       67 BB/ 60 K

Sleepers: Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

140 G/ 156      .351     11 HR   46 RBI

31 doubles       31 BB/ 68 K      26 SB

Derek Jeter, NY Yankees

149 G/ 157      .333     17 HR   65 RBI

27 doubles       70 BB/ 89 K      30 SB

Bobby Abreu, LA Angels

148 G/ 156      .295     14 HR   101 RBI

29 doubles       94 BB/ 111 K    29 SB

*Stats as of 9/29 from MLB.com