The Verlander Question: Can the Tigers Pitcher Win the MVP?

Not since Dennis Eckersley in 1992 has a pitcher won the Most Valuable Player award in Major League Baseball. Eckersley was dominant in the closers role that year with the  Oakland Athletics, notching up 51 saves on his way to both the Cy Young Award and MVP award for the American League. However, since 1992 not a single pitcher has won the MVP award in either league. Some would argue that Pedro Martinez should have won the award in 1999, a season where he won 23 games (including four shutouts), struck out 313 batters, and ended the season with a 2.07 ERA. Keep in mind Pedro put these numbers up in the very peak of the Steroid Era of baseball. Martinez instead finished second in voting to Texas Rangers catcher (and suspected roider) Pudge Rodriguez.

Every season a case is made for a pitcher to be in the conversation for the MVP award. Mariano Rivera’s name is thrown out every year, Roger Clemens in his prime and Pedro in the late 90s-early ‘00s were always discussed among the leagues best players up for the award. However, every season the Baseball Writers of America vote against pitchers. Writers, and fans, love the gaudy home run numbers for contenders that let players like Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz win the award. Even this season, Curtis Granderson is among the likely winners with his league leading 38 home runs. While Granderson and Red Sox first basemen Adrian Gonzalez are giving their best campaigns for the award, this year may be the year where a pitcher should be the winner, but will he?

Detroit Tigers RHP Justin Verlander has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball for the last several years. Turn on any of the games that he starts and you’ll see him throwing in the high 90’s and even breaking 100 mph late in the ball games. As of September 4^th, Verlander had already won 21 games and struck out 224 batters, all while keeping the Tigers in the playoff hunt. Verlander is a lock for the Cy Young Award, but this season that should not be enough. In terms of value to the teams, Verlander is far and above the most valuable player on any team this season. Granderson, while having an extraordinary season, is benefited with hitting in front of Robinson Cano, Mark Texiera and Alex Rodriguez in the epic Yankee lineup. The same can be said for Gonzalez, batting third in the cushiony Red Sox order (a lineup including MVP candidates Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury). Verlander, however, pitches for a mediocre team with poor offensive support. So, why can’t the writers just vote for Verlander?

One of the biggest reasons why Verlander may not win the award is because he is not an everyday player. His dominance, while undeniable, only occurs every five games. Eckersley won the award in 1992 as the A’s closer, a role that allowed him to show his stuff every couple of games. Verlander is hindered by the rotational schedule, but that should not mean he can’t win the award.

It can easily be said that if Verlander was not on the Tigers this season than they would not be in the playoff race, let alone have a winning record. Looking at the other candidates, the Yankees would (probably) still be in a good position without the season Granderson has had. The same hold true with the Red Sox triple threat of candidates. Jose Bautista, the outfielder for Toronto, could not power the Blue Jays out of fourth place in the AL East this season. However, Verlander is the Tigers team. Miguel Cabrera has had a disappointing season after winning MVP last year. I would name other Tigers who are under performing, but can anybody even tell me another player on the team? Detroit will find itself in the playoffs as the AL Central winners, and it will all be because of Justin Verlander. He is the most valuable player on that team, now its just up to the voters to anoint him the Most Valuable Player in the league…like he should be. 

MLB: National League MVP Race

A little while ago we here at The Jockstrap gave our top 5 in the American League MVP race (as of late August). Now, its time to take a look at the National League race; which includes two members of the brew crew, an injured Metropolitan, and a stellar young shortstop from Colorado.

1.) Ryan Braun, Brewers OF (25 HR, 85 RBI, .330 AVG, 29 Steals)

            For years, the Milwaukee Brewers have been good one season, to poor the next. This year, the Brewers are playing great, late season baseball led by outfielder Ryan Braun. Braun, 27, is having his best all around season of his young 5 year career. Batting .330 and driving out 25 homeruns thus far, Braun has the Brewers in the drivers seat of the competitive NL Central. Much like Adrian Gonzalez in Boston, Braun is benefited with hitting in front of another MVP candidate in Prince Fielder, but the threat Braun provides in the lineup and on the base paths (29 steals) has this young superstar in the forefront of the NL MVP race.

2.) Prince Fielder, Brewers 1B (28 HR, 100 RBI, .298 AVG, .529 SLG%)

            Ryan Braun is not the only 27-year-old superstar on the Brewers this season. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee’s first baseman, is having yet another monster season. The 28 homeruns is not a surprise, but Fielders 30 doubles is five short of a career high, and were only at the end of August. Fielder has been the clubhouse leader of the Brewers this season, and its paying off dividends for the team. With free agency looming, Fielder could add on a few more million to that upcoming contract with a shiny MVP trophy after a strong finish this season.

3.) Joey Votto, Reds 1B (24 HR, 84 RBI, .328 AVG, 94 Walks)

            Could Joey Votto win a second straight NL MVP this season? His stats are not as eye popping as they were last season, but the 24 round trippers accompanied with an outstanding .328 batting average puts Votto once again in the conversation. One thing that may be holding Votto back this season is the Reds performance in the pennant race, as they currently stand 13 games back in the division and 13.5 in the wild card. However, with two Brewers at the top of the list, a splitting of the votes between them could allow Votto or any of the other candidates to steal this race.

4.) Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies SS (26 HR, 89 RBI, .305 AVG, .546 SLG%)

            Another season, another strong stat line from “Tulo”. Tulowitzki has been a bright spot on a poor Rockies team this season, on his way to his second career 30 HR season. The .305 batting average is down .10 points from last season, but the 89 RBI’s are right on par with an “average” Troy Tulowitzki season. With the Rockies pretty much out of the pennant race, Tulo can help his own cause by continuing to drive in runs and knock out homers.

5.) Jose Reyes, Mets SS (5 HR, 37 RBI, .336 AVG, 16 Triples)

            Before the all-star break, Jose Reyes was the talk of the country. After missing the majority of last season, there were questions about how Reyes was going to be able to perform and stay healthy throughout a 162 game season. He quickly showed that his caliber of play never wavered. Leading the league with 16 triples, Reyes has been the spark plug for a bad Mets team this season. Despite an injury in the start of the summer, Reyes has remained in the MVP conversation because of his staggering batting average and 35 steals. If it weren’t for that very same injury, Reyes could have been sitting at the top of this list instead of the bottom.

Honorable Mentions: Roy Halladay (Phillies RHP), Matt Kemp (Dodgers OF), Justin Upton (Diamondbacks OF)

MLB: American League MVP Race

With the dog days of August coming to a close and October on the horizon, various Major League Baseball races are beginning to heat up. Among them is the race for the American League Most Valuable Player trophy. Below is a list of the top five candidates for the honor, and how they stack up against each other as September looms.

1.) Curtis Granderson, Yankees CF (36 HR, 103 RBI, .278 AVG, 119 Runs)

            Before the start of the season, Granderson figured in as the 6^th hole hitter in the stacked Yankees lineup. Since then, Granderson has put together an amazing season while manning the sacred centerfield for New York. Although Granderson is benefited by hitting in front of Mark Texiera and Alex Rodriguez, he has been one of the pivotal reasons why the Yankees are once again one of the best teams in baseball. Even with injuries to Rodriguez and an early season slump from Derek Jeter, the Yankees have remained neck and neck with the Boston Red Sox in the race for the AL East crown; and Granderson’s league leading 103 RBI’s are a huge reason for that.

2.) Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox 1B (23 HR, 102 RBI, .348 AVG, 181 Hits)

            This past off season the Red Sox made the biggest splash in baseball in landing the power hitting Gonzalez from the Padres in a trade for prospects (Anthony Rizzo?!?). With the help of the Green Monster at Fenway Park, the opposite field specialist has been able to amass a career high in hits and the leagues top batting average. The only thing that is separating Gonzalez and Granderson in a (literally) neck and neck race for MVP is Gonzalez’s power numbers. Stay tuned to this race because it could actually come down to which team wins the AL East and which secedes to the Wild Card that decides this years MVP winner.

3.) Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2B (16 HR, 69 RBI, .307 AVG, 24 Steals)

            Pedroia, the Red Sox scrappy second baseman and former MVP winner is once again in the race for the leagues top performer. This season Pedroia is seeing an increase in steals and walks while still hitting plenty of home runs and doubles at the top of the Red Sox order. Pedroia’s season may be slightly overshadowed by that of teammate Adrian Gonzalez, but don’t be surprised to see Pedroia make a late season push for MVP as the Red Sox battle it out with the Yankees for the AL East.

4.) Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox CF (23 HR, 81 RBI, .312 AVG, 162 Hits)

            Four spots down the list and we have our third Boston player. After missing all but 18 games last season due to injury, the 27 year old Red Sox outfielder has put together a career year. His 23 home runs is 14 more than his previous career high as are his 81 RBIs. Similar to Pedroia, Ellsbury’s monster season is being overshadowed by Gonzalez’s, but the young centerfielder should not be overlooked; a dual threat outfielder is hard to come by, and the Red Sox seem to have the best of the bunch.

5.) Justin Verlander, Tigers P (19-5, 2.28 ERA, 212 SO, 0.878 WHIP)

            Verlander, Detroits ace starting pitcher, is cruising to his first career Cy Young award, and he still could steal the MVP from the four position players in the race. The Tigers All-Star is having a dream season, with 19 wins before the first day of September (and his second career no hitter to boot), Verlander has steamrolled the competition night in and night out. Unfortunately, the MVP voters have historically veered away from pitchers when deciding who gets the award. However, with a strong finish and 22+ wins, Verlander could still become the first pitcher to win the MVP since Dennis Eckersley did it for the Oakland Athletics in 1992 (Eckersley finished that season with a 7-1 record and 51 saves that season).

Honorable Mentions: Jose Bautista