2011 MVP Picks

 To pick a league MVP at the start of a season is difficult, at best. There are many variables that come into play - where a team finishes, team offensive support, injuries, etc. As true as this is, there is still a list of elite players that can be considered. Alex Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera, Joe Mauer, David Ortiz, just to name a few. My pick for American League MVP for 2011 is Alex Rodriguez. The first issue is Alex’s health, which has been an issue over the last two years. It has limited his at bats and probably his power, as well. Even so, last year Rodriguez hit 30 homers and drove in 125 runs. His RBI total was second in the league. Rodriguez says he is healthier now, and his weight loss can only aid in his long term performance. In addition, Rodriguez’s numbers were based on only 135 games. Pro rating that for the season gives him 36 homers and 150 RBI. Another benefit he will have is that Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. who both had off years in 2010, should bounce back and give Rodriguez more RBI opportunities. Jeter's OBP, SLG, and OPS in 2011 were dramatically lower than his career numbers in those categories and with a little more patience at the plate and a shorter swing should, he should improve those numbers significantly. Teixeira would be hard pressed to repeat his dismal start to 2011. Finally, A-Rod seems more comfortable in his skin now and he knows the Yankees need him to perform. He has his ring and the whole team will be hungrier to win this year, especially after flaming out of the playoffs last year.

My pick for National league MVP is Albert Pujols. It may not be original, but it makes sense. The most relevant thing about Pujols, is that for the first ten years of his career he has hit more home runs and has more RBI than anyone in the history of baseball. He has averaged over 40 home runs and 120 RBI a year for his whole career. Depending on how many years he plays, he could be the king of everything. His OBP, SLG, and OPS are off the charts. Maybe the most impressive thing about him is that along with all his power comes at batting average of .331. He still needs support in the batting order, and Matt Holliday and a bounce back year from Lance Berkman will provide that. The Cardinals need to stay in the race and hopefully Wainwrights injury won’t hurt them too much. Another motivating factor for the pick is the fact that Pujols is in his “walk year” and is playing for a new contract. The National league is not as deep offensively as the American League, which makes Pujols, and his numbers, stand out that much more.