The AL MVP Race!

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Let's take a look at the MVP Race and how it's shaping up in the American League![/center]


15. RF Henry Rodriguez - New York Yankees
Age: 32
Ratings: A/B/P/G/A/F, B Range, C Arm
Stats: .276 AVG, 18 HR, 45 RBI, .874 OPS
Rodriguez is a big part of the Yankees lineup that is producing very well. No one really stands out among the league's best, but together they have been producing pretty well for New York. He's not anything special when it comes to hitting for average, but he's providing some serious pop for New York right now. The Yankees are still fighting for the playoffs, and Rodriguez is a big reason why they're still in the division race.


14. 1B Tino Martinez - New York Yankees
Age: 32
Ratings: A/A/F/A/A/G, A Range
Stats: .296 AVG, 16 HR, 42 RBI, .877 OPS
Very similar to Rodriguez. Big Tino looks very unimposing, but he's on pace to have his best season yet. He's hitting very well, providing very good power numbers, he has solid patience at the plate. Defensively, he's done very well at 1B, which may not be as impressive as other positions, but is still crucial nonetheless. It's his contract year, and he's starting to get up there in age, so he may not be in New York much longer, but for now he's doing all he can to help the Yankees get back to the postseason.


13. DH Rafael Palmeiro - Baltimore Orioles
Age: 35
Ratings: A/G/F/G/G/G, C Range
Stats: .316 AVG, 14 HR, 54 RBI, .904 OPS
Old man Palmeiro still hasn't let Father Time slow him down. Playing DH for Baltimore, Palmeiro has been putting up some pretty stellar numbers, helping Baltimore to their hot start and keeping them in the thick of things. He's hitting very well and driving in a lot of runs for the Orioles. He makes A LOT of money for his age, but hasn't declined yet, so that's good news for Baltimore. If he can keep producing like this the rest of the season, Baltimore will definitely be fighting for the division title deep into September.


12. SS Nomar Garciaparra - Boston Red Sox
Age: 26
Ratings: B/B/A/A/A/G, D Range
Stats: .323 AVG, 5 HR, 44 RBI, .835 OPS
Nomar had a slow start to the season, in relation to his previous year performances, but he has finally started to turn it on a bit for Boston. The Red Sox had been struggling as a team for awhile, but have finally recaptured the division lead. Garciaparra's power totals are definitely down from his previous few seasons, but he is still stealing a solid amount of bases and hitting for average very well. Though not the most integral part to Boston's success, Garciaparra is still one of the most valuable Short Stops in the league and a big part of the Red Sox.


11. LF Reggie Jefferson - Chicago White Sox
Age: 31
Ratings: G/G/F/A/A/F, C Range
Stats: .333 AVG, 12 HR, 57 RBI, .901 OPS
Acquiring Jefferson in the offseason has definitely been huge for Chicago in helping to keep Cleveland off their heels. Jefferson has been doing what he did in Seattle. Hit very well, drive in runs, and provide some power. He strikes out a little too much, but he's on a very affordable contract considering his production. If the White Sox can hold onto the division lead and make the postseason, Jefferson will be a huge reason for that.


10. SP Aaron Fultz - Texas Rangers
Age: 26
Ratings: G/G/B/G/G, D Duration
Stats: 9-1, 2.05 ERA, 85K, 1.05 WHIP
Fultz is having his breakout year so far this season, which has been awesome for the newly competing Texas Rangers. After tanking since the league's inception, the Rangers have come out with a lot of fight this season, giving the Athletics a run for their money and effectively putting an end to Anaheim's short run of success. Fultz only has D Duration, so he may not always get the decision, but so far he's been nothing short of spectacular. Posting a 2.05 ERA and an excellent 1.05 WHIP, Fultz is doing a lot to balance out the mediocre parts of the Rangers' pitching.


9. SP Todd Stottlemyre - Baltimore Orioles
Age: 35
Ratings: B/A/A/G/B, C Duration
Stats: 11-4, 2.32 ERA, 113 K, 0.94 WHIP
The Orioles currently have the best pitching ERA in the league, and Stottlemyre is a big reason for that. When the Orioles signed him to his massive contract last season, there were a lot of question marks, but so far, it's safe to say he's earned his pay. He is currently a huge reason for Baltimore's success, anchoring the Oriole's rotation. A superb 2.32 ERA and 0.94 WHIP have led to an 11-4 record, all coming from a 35 year old that many felt was overpaid. It's his last season in Baltimore, and I doubt he'll be back, especially if the Orioles come up short yet again.


8. 1B Todd Helton - Cleveland Indians
Age: 26
Ratings: B/B/P/G/G/G, C Range
Stats: .339 AVG, 12 HR, 45 RBI, .980 OPS
I never imagined I'd see Helton traded AGAIN, but Cleveland pulled out all the stops and shipped off some of their youth, including Pujols, for The Toddfather. Helton is still being Helton. He's an amazing hitter that could help Cleveland over the top. His power numbers have slipped each season, which is unfortunate, but he's only 26 years old and should be a perennial MVP contender each season. I don't know if Cleveland can beat out Chicago this season, but their future is very bright, especially with Todd Helton anchoring their offense, which was their main weakness.


7. SS Derek Jeter - Oakland Athletics
Age: 25
Ratings: B/G/F/F/B/G, B Range
Stats: .360 AVG, 1 HR, 23 RBI, .911 OPS
Derek Jeter is probably one of the better, if not the best lead-off hitter in the AL. He doesn't steal any bases, which hurts him a bit, but he has an on-base percentage .458! That's right, he almost gets on base half of the time. He is one of the league leaders in batting average and bases on balls. He is on an awesome contract and plays a huge role for Oakland. The Athletics came close last season, so they are definitely looking to make it to the World Series, and with guys like Jeter, there's a very good chance of that happening.


6. CF Ken Griffey Jr. - Texas Rangers
Age: 30
Ratings: G/G/F/B/G/G, A Range, B Arm
Stats: .311 AVG, 14 HR, 47 RBI, 1.064 OPS
Griffey has missed how much time? A month or so? He's still one of the league leaders in HRs and RBIs! The Rangers have managed to stay very close in the division race all this time without Griffey. Really surprised Dan hasn't tried to make a trade for some board cash to bring him back sooner, but Griffey could very well come off his injury and get right back into the MVP race. I doubt he'll be able to catch the top few guys, but anything could happen, especially with a guy that has the power Griffey has. Texas has been overachieving a bit without Griffey, but once they get their team MVP back, the Athletics will have a very close race on their hands.


5. CF Carlos Beltran - Kansas City Royals
Age: 23
Ratings: G/G/A/G/G/F, A Range, C Arm
Stats: .326 AVG, 13 HR, 44 RBI, .986 OPS
I put Beltran this high for a few reasons. One, his numbers are fantastic. Two, he's pretty much the only reason the Royals have a winning record. Typically I tend to shy away from players on teams that don't have a shot at success when factoring in MVP rankings, but the Royals have a winning record and are somewhat still in the division race. Beltran has been huge in his rookie season. The guy will likely be the AL ROY, and he deserves to at least be in the MVP discussion so far.


4. SP Todd Van Poppel - Oakland Athletics
Age: 28
Ratings: G/A/B/B/B, B Duration
Stats: 10-2, 2.57 ERA, 118 K, 1.08 WHIP
Hands down the best pitcher in the AL this season, thanks to Pedro and the Red Sox's struggles. TVP has been lights out all season. He may not eat up as much innings as a lot of the other top pitchers, but his results are fantastic. He's top ten in ERA, WHIP, Ks, Quality Stars, Shutouts, and most importantly, Wins. The Athletics have a top pitching staff to go along with their top offense, and TVP is the main reason for that. Pretty crazy that he's not even the Athletic's MVP.


3. 1B Frank Thomas - Chicago White Sox
Age: 32
Ratings: G/A/P/B/B/A, C Range
Stats: .301 AVG, 18 HR, 53 RBI, .940 OPS
A multiple-time MVP winner, Thomas is of course still in the conversation this season. His HRs are a little off pace of his previous seasons, but he is still phenomenal. He may not be driving in as many runs this season either, but he's still in the top 10. Time may finally be starting to catch up to Big Hurt, but it hasn't kept him from still being one of the league's premier sluggers. I imagine he'll turn it up in the second half of the season, and make a serious run at another MVP award, like he usually does. And Chicago will definitely need him to, Cleveland is hot on their trail.


2. LF Manny Ramirez - Boston Red Sox
Age: 28
Ratings: G/G/P/B/G/G, D Range, B Arm
Stats: .351 AVG, 16 HR, 57 RBI, 1.077 OPS
This was starting to look like Manny's year finally, and it still might be, but so far he's #2 on my list. Power-wise, he may not be having his best season, but hitting-wise, he's definitely having his best season yet. He is absolutely dominating pitchers out there right now, hitting .351 for the season so far. He's driving a lot of runs in, and is on pace to hit close to 40 HRs. He has been doing it all season long, so I think he'll stay on this pace through the second half as well. He is leading the league in OPS, and he's locked up for plenty of time. I don't know if this year will be Manny's, but I think he'll get at least one when he's ready to hang it all up.


1. RF Juan Gonzalez - Oakland Athletics
Age: 30
Ratings: B/G/F/B/F/G, C Range, D Arm
Stats: .364 AVG, 23 HR, 71 RBI, 1.067 OPS
Juan Gone himself is killing it for Oakland. He is on pace to have his greatest season yet, and considering how amazing he's been, that's saying something. Oakland acquired Gonzalez from San Francisco earlier this season and haven't looked back. Gonzalez could very well win his third World Series ring in a row. He is on pace to win the AL MVP, that's for sure. After that amazing PD he got a few seasons back, Gonzalez has become one of the most valuable players in the league, and his contract extension is very nice considering that type of production, which he should be able to maintain throughout the rest of his new contract. He will most likely hit 500 HRs for his career, and will win a few MVPs and possibly a World Series with Oakland.