Is Jeter the MVP?

Reasons why Derek Jeter should be the AL MVP:

He is the best player on the best team in the league.

He is 8th in RC per game and 3rd in total runs created while playing as a shortstop.

He is contending for a batting title.

He nearly has 100 RBIs, and has done this from the 2nd spot in the lineup.

His OPS is nearly .200 points better with runners in scoring position.

He has great intangibles.







Reasons why Derek Jeter should not be the AL MVP:

He is 16th in OPS, last among all MVP candidates.

He has a lot of talent around him and the team probably still would have made the playoffs without him.

His RBIs are as much a product of his team as it is clutch hitting.

His OPS actually dips a little in Close and Late situations.

He won a Gold Glove last year but at best he is an average defensive shortstop.

Intangibles are highly over-rated. He is a great player but has always been over-rated.