Is Joe Mauer the MVP? Yes!!!

Reasons why Joe Mauer should be the AL MVP:

He is a vital player on a playoff team.

He is 7th in RC per game while playing the most difficult defensive position, catcher.

He is contending for a batting title and will probably win it. Making him the only AL catcher ever to win a batting title.

He is 3rd in the league in OBP but close to the leader.

He is 8th in the league in OPS. And again he did that while playing catcher.

His OPS is nearly .150 points better with runners in scoring position.








Reasons why Joe Mauer should not be the AL MVP:

He is last among MVP contenders in HRs and RBIs.

He may not even be the best player on his team.

He is 18th in total runs created.

Some of his production was at DH, decreasing his value some.

Jeter & Ortiz have higher VORPs than Joe.



But Joe Mauer is my MVP. To put up the numbers he has while playing catcher is spectacular. He really has no weakness. He has some power, hits for average, has patience at the plate, he is a good baserunner and is very good defensively.

I don’t think he will win the MVP because his Triple Crown numbers are low, except for average. But the stats beyond the Triple Crown are very impressive.