Who is the 2006 Amaerican League MVP?

It’s that time of year again when the baseball season is winding down and the debate begins, who is the MVP?  Who is the Cy Young?  Who is the Rookie of the Year?  Well I wanted to tackle perhaps the toughest one to decide, this year’s American League MVP race.  I have my own set of criteria for the MVP, so I will list each point and eliminate the contenders that fail to meet that bit of criteria.




The contenders:  Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jonathan Papelbon, Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay, Miguel Tejada, Magglio Ordonez, Justin Verlander, Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Francisco Liriano, Johan Santana, Justin Morneau, Travis Hafner,




1.  Winning helps – I would never say that it’s impossible for a player on a losing team to win the MVP.  However, they would have to have a season that is just far and above the best season of anybody and nobody on a losing team this year has distanced themselves like that.




Eliminated – Travis Hafner, Miguel Tejada




2.  Pitching – Pitching wins championships, it’s true.  But it’s mainly true because pitching wins playoff games.  Offensive players are more valuable during the regular season, they are playing everyday.  Much like a player on a losing team, I would never say a pitcher can’t win the MVP, but they would have to have far and away a better season than anybody else. 




Eliminated – Jonathan Papelbon, Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander, Francisco Liriano, Johan Santana




3.  Designated Hitter – Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those ultra purists who hate the DH and thinks it should be thrown out, nor do I think a DH can’t win MVP.  However if you have two guys who are equal in offensive stats, but one guy DOES contribute in the field then shouldn’t that put him over the top? 




Eliminated – David Ortiz, Jim Thome