Everyone on Baseball Tonight stated that A-Rod is going to be MVP hands down. I am not sure about that prediction. I know A-Rod is great, but I am not sure if he can bounce back from last year. The other question might be who else would get it? Sorry, what I meant from bounce back is mentally.
Bounce back from last year? Last year he hit .290 with 35 hr and 120 RBI. By A-Rod's standards he had a down year, but it's not like he has to come back from the dead. Considering the Yankee line-up, it's more than probable that A-Rod will bounce back close to his 2005 MVP year. The fact is, it's hard to bet against any player who is a 13 year veteran and still on pace to be the all time leader in home runs, RBIs, and hits.
But if it's not A-Rod I'd say look at big papi, Morneau again, maybe a Vlad Gurrero, or what about someone like Johan Santana if he ends up with say 21 wins an ERA under 3 and leads the league in strikeouts. I don't like a pitcher winning the MVP but that would be a year that would get consideration.
__________________
"In big games, the action slows down for him where it speeds up for others. I've told him, 'I'll trade my past for your future.'" -Reggie Jackson on Derek Jeter
I'm not buying the whole ESPN myth of the new, meaner, and more mentally stalwart A-Rod. Wake me up when he wins something that isn't voted on by idiot sportswriters.
Hafner has a good shot, but only if the Indians make the playoffs. If they have another year like last year, I don't see it.
So it's not how good A-Rod is, it's whether people like him as a person or not. Call me when he doesn't hit 35 and 120.
__________________
"In big games, the action slows down for him where it speeds up for others. I've told him, 'I'll trade my past for your future.'" -Reggie Jackson on Derek Jeter
It seems like A-rod and Hafner are the two people getting the most consideration for MVP. People feel like A-rod is going to bust through this year after a few good but not typical A-rod type years. Then you have those who see Hafner as an absolute beast at the plate and think its his turn.
I'm going to go a completely different route. Call me crazy, but I'm going to predict Vladamir Guerrero as my MVP. This is probably a biased prediction because I just love watching the guy hit homers off the dirt or over his head, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him w/ the trophy if the Angels have a good year.
__________________
"It's the fans that need spring training. You gotta get 'em interested." - Harry Caray
I think its clear that A-Rod is going to put up numbers. But, is he really the most valuable player for the Yankees? If A-Rod goes down for the season are the Yankees finished? Jeter is the Yankees' leader. He should be their MVP candidate. He probably should have won over Morneau last year.
