MVP

This morning, Mike Greenburg of Mike & Mike in the Morning said that the AL MVP should go to CC Sabathia, since Albert Pujols will win the NL MVP, and there really is no deserving candidate in the AL.

Let's take a look at potential AL MVP candidates:

Francisco Rodriguez, 62 of 69 save opportunities, 2.24 ERA, 77 SO over 68.1 IP

Dustin Pedroia, .326 AVG, 17 HR, 82 RBI, 52 SO, 52 BB, .376 OBP, .493 SLG

Joe Mauer, .328 AVG, 9 HR, 85 RBI, 50 SO, 84 BB, .413 OBP, .451 SLG

Kevin Youkilis, .312 AVG, 29 HR, 115, RBI, 108 SO, 62 BB, .390 OBP, .569 SLG

Justin Morneau, .300 AVG, 23 HR, 129 RBI, 85 SO, 76 BB, .374 OBP, .499 SLG

Josh Hamilton, .304 AVG, 32 HR, 130 RBI, 126 SO, 64 BB, .371 OBP, .530 SLG

Carlos Quentin, .288 AVG, 36 HR, 100 RBI, 80 SO, 66 BB, .394 OBP, .571 SLG

I guess it is clear that none of these guys are a runaway like Albert Pujols (although he and CC would've really had a tight race if CC had spent the whole year in the NL).  To put it mildly, and to state the obvious I'm astounded by Pujols.  His numbers are absolutely crazy, and you gotta love him.

In looking over the stat lines for these AL players, it is really difficult.  I feel for Carlos Quentin, who's working against an incomplete season (although self-inflicted).

My vote goes to Kevin Youkilis, because he had a killer OPS, hit for average and power, had 115 RBIs, and plays stellar defense (and can play more than one position).  To be honest though, I almost felt like changing my answer, even after I typed his name.  His weaknesses (relative to these other MVP candidates) were baserunning and strikeouts.

Who is your 2008 AL MVP?

Frenetic Free Agent Forecasting

It's a fun-filled, anxiety-ridden time of year for baseball lovers.  Watching the hot stove, monitoring desirable free agents, trying to protect favorite players from trade via mind control--you know what I'm talking about.

In a piece on ESPN.com, Tim Kurkjian counts down the top ten off-season story lines.  Francisco Rodriguez his the list at number six.  Kurkjian opines that the Mets and Tigers make the most sense, due to their mutual need for help at closer.  He then goes on to say that "it doesn't appear that the Mets are willing to give K-Rod the money and years that he'll be looking for."   He doesn't say word one about what I thought had been overtly iterated by Dombrowski--that the Tigers are equally unwilling to shell out the necessary cash on the free agent market this off-season. 

So I'll go ahead and give the rumor mill a big shove to get it going at warp speed.  Maybe we will be involved in the bidding war on K-Rod!

Really, this is speculation of gargantuan proportions, but it sure piqued my curiosity that Kurkjian didn't say the Tigers weren't interested.

Also, as a side note, and number three on Kurkjian's list, I'm intent on finding out CC Sabathia's new home.  It's hilarity to me that the Yanks are desperate to sign him (and they better well fail, or it'll turn from hilarity to blinding fury), despite the fact that he's indicated his desire to settle on the West coast nearer his California home, and despite his willingness to at least listen to small-market Milwaukee's offer.  My secret wish is that Illich would empty his pockets and sign him, but I know that's only fantasy baseball at its finest.  So, I'll be content to see him sign with anyone but the dreaded Yanks.