who wins MVP in the AL

[Blackout]

who wins the MVP of the American league in 2012?

[CrazyCarl40]

You don't have any of the top three finishers from 2011 on your poll. That's a bit odd.

[PFSIKH]

Not having Verlander is not too much of a surprise, but Ellsbury and Bautista is a mistake.

Plus, listing Montero is a huge mistake. He is DHing in a pitcher's park with little support.

[Bob]

Alex Rodriguez.

[Morrissey]

Stupid poll.. but my pick is Adrian Gonzalez.

[Blackout]

Not having Verlander is not too much of a surprise, but Ellsbury and Bautista is a mistake.

those guys will not reproduce last years stats

[CrazyCarl40]

those guys will not reproduce last years stats

Because you say so? There is no reason they can't.

[Blackout]

because i say so is a good enough reason

[PFSIKH]

those guys will not reproduce last years stats

The only thing for Bautista that was out of the norm was his BA. His numbers were all down from his exceptional 2010 season. The only stat that went up was his dramatic increase in BA. Yeah, he might not replicate that, I doubt it, but he still had awesome numbers as a 260 hitter in 2010. He will get his numbers.

If you do not recognize Ellsbury talent, that is on you. He has been solid, like most of RSN has been arguing here, for 3 of the last 4 years. The one bad season was because of that idiotic Red Sox medical staff. Will he hit 30+ homeruns, maybe, maybe not, but the kid is good.

[GimmeShelter]

I'm going with Adrian Beltre or Hamilton.

[Blackout]

The only thing for Bautista that was out of the norm was his BA. His numbers were all down from his exceptional 2010 season. The only stat that went up was his dramatic increase in BA. Yeah, he might not replicate that, I doubt it, but he still had awesome numbers as a 260 hitter in 2010. He will get his numbers.

If you do not recognize Ellsbury talent, that is on you. He has been solid, like most of RSN has been arguing here, for 3 of the last 4 years. The one bad season was because of that idiotic Red Sox medical staff. Will he hit 30+ homeruns, maybe, maybe not, but the kid is good.

in 2008 his OPS+ was 87 (league average is 100)

in 2009 his OPS+ was 97

in 2010 his OPS+ was 30 but we'll give him a pass since he only played 18 games

in 2011 his OPS+ was 146, which is splendid. but this looks like more of an outlier than anything. and how valuable was he when his team couldn't even get in the playoffs?

will ellsbury be better than the less-than-average hitter he was in 2008-2010? surely, but will he post another 145 OPS+ by seasons end? highly doubt it

[PFSIKH]

in 2008 his OPS+ was 87 (league average is 100)

in 2009 his OPS+ was 97

in 2010 his OPS+ was 30 but we'll give him a pass since he only played 18 games

in 2011 his OPS+ was 146, which is splendid. but this looks like more of an outlier than anything. and how valuable was he when his team couldn't even get in the playoffs?

will ellsbury be better than the less-than-average hitter he was in 2008-2010? surely, but will he post another 145 OPS+ by seasons end? highly doubt it

Put that in it's proper context.

In 2008 (age 24), his first full season, he was singles hitter.

In 2009 (age 25) , his second full season, he showed improvement. More 2Bs, 3Bs, BBS and higher BA with less Ks.

Last season at the age of 27, he continued to improve adding power to his game. Will he hit 30 HRs again? Maybe. A lefty in Fenway is never a bad bet with the short porch.

He is entering his prime. 30 HRs might be high, but he always showed he can hit for average (career .301). If he can get 20 he will consistently get 120+ OPS to go along with his GG.

[JetPotato]

Stupid poll.. but my pick is Adrian Gonzalez.

The MVP is much more likely to come from a playoff team.

My pick is Pujols. Not really going out on a limb, but he's still the best player in the game when healthy.