MLB MVP candidates

Outside of winning a World Series, the MVP of each league validates what a player has done for that single season. While there's always going to be a lot of debate on who wins, there is little doubt on that player's place in MLB history.

With that being said, let's look at my take on cadidates from the American League.

Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer appears to be the front runner. Despite the fact that Mauer missed the first month of the season, he's out together one of the greatest statistical years in history. Mauer leads the AL in batting average (.374), on-base percentage (.441), and slugging (.610). A more surprising fact is that Mauer has scored more runs (86) than the Seattle Mariners Ichiro (81), Tampa Bay Rays Carl Crawford (84), and Boston Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury(80). All those other players are known to score a lot of runs.

Mark Teixeira of the New York Yankees can also be considered. Tex did get off to a slow start, but he's found his groove and has produced for the guys in pinstripes. He leads the AL in RBI (112) and is currently second in HR (35). Tex can win the HR crown due to Rays 1B Carlos Pena (39 HR) being on the shelf for the rest of the season. If he can pass Pena, that will be more for the voters to contemplate when they cast their ballots.

Don't fall asleep on the Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera. He's been the most productive Tiger and is often overlooked because Detroit as a team gets overlooked. Cabrera currently sits third in batting (.333), fourth in on-base percentage (.404), and fifth in slugging (.552). Cabrera get a bit of a knock because of lack of clutch hits, but fans at Comerica will disagree. At the home of the Tigers, Cabrera is hitting .365. Midwest fans should show him a little love.

The west coast fans will thrust Angels 1B Kendry Morales into the mix. Morales sits in the top ten in four offensive categories: third in slugging (.564), seventh in HR (30) and RBI (98), and eighth in OPS (.914). One fact that voters should remember is the extended period that the Angels were without Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero. Morales was there to pick up the slack and hasn't looked back.

I'm throwing one more in, Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees. I'm not doing it based on the fact that Jeter passed Lou Gehrig for the all-time Yankees hit leader. I'm doing it because of what he brings to the field everyday. Some will ask where are his stats? He's hitting .330 (fourth), 17 HR, 64 RBI and 26 SB ninth). I submit this. In 1995 Cincinnati Reds SS Barry Larkin won the NL MVP with these numbers: .319 BA, 15 HR, 66 RBI and 51 SB. Larkin was the captain of that club and what Larkin meant to the Reds that season is what Jeter is to the Yanks.

I think Yankee voters may get a bit sentimental to Jeter and they could cost Teixeira. I'm kind of in the same boat.
1. Mauer
2. Teixeira
3. Morales
4. Jeter
5. Cabrera

The National League is a bit clearer.

The favorite is St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols. Pujols ranks first in seven offensive categories (RBI, BB, slugging, HR, runs, on-base percentage, and OPS). He also second in batting average. All the compliments I gave to Mauer I almost double giving them to Pujols. Unless he totally falls off the baseball map, it's his.

The player looked upon as his main competition is Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez. HanRam leads the NL in batting and is ranked in the top ten in six other stats (third in on-base percentage and OPS, sixth in runs, RBI, stolen bases, and slugging). Ramirez is hitting .377 away from Land Shark Stadium. He's also commited only 9 errors and ranks fourth in SS fielding.

Milwaukee Brewers 1B Prince Fielder should get a bit of attention and is a dark horse. He is currently second in RBI (just one behind Pujols), second in OPS and slugging, third in HR, fourth in BB, fifth in on-base percentage, and seventh in runs scored. When Prince hits a homer, it's always a no-doubter. The Brewers were in a bid for a playoff spot but have faded down the stretch and that may hurt Fielder's chances.

Unless I need surgery, Pujols is the winner.
1. Pujols
2. Ramirez
3. Fielder