AL & NL MVP breakdown

This week I assume will a busy one after a weekend of almost no movement around the majors. The Athletics signed INF Dallas McPherson to a minor-league contract and that’s all. McPherson, who has 150 HR in 608 minor-league games, will be competing for a job at third base.

The American & National MVP’s will be announced Monday & Tuesday. In the American League, the Twins Joe Mauer, who missed all of April with a back injury, will almost certainly be named the MVP. Mauer won the AL batting title (his 3rd all-time) with a .365 AVG, hit a career high in homeruns with 28 & had 96 RBI, also a career high. Mauer led the AL in on-base percentage & only committed 3 errors, playing great defense all season. Other contenders are:

Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira: .292 AVG, 39 HR, 122 RBI
Yankees SS Derek Jeter: .334 AVG, 107 R, 18 HR, 66 RBI, 30 SB

The National League MVP, announced Tuesday afternoon, shouldn’t be a surprise either as the Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols looks to win his 3rd MVP award. Pujols hit .327 with a MLB-leading 47 HR & 135 RBI. Pujols had a great month of June with 14 HR & 35 RBI, but I was more impressed with is September numbers of .375 AVG, 6 HR & 24 RBI. The acquisition of Matt Holliday definitely helped Pujols, they just couldn’t put things together in the playoffs. Other contenders are:

Brewers 1B Prince Fielder: .299 AVG, 46 HR, 141 RBI
Phillies 1B Ryan Howard: .279 AVG, 45 HR, 141 RBI, 186 strikeouts
Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez: .342 AVG, 24 HR, 106 RBI, 27 SB