Mauer for MVP? No question, Twins say

Joe Mauer is on the verge of becoming just the fifth player since 1961 to lead the American League in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging.

[brachiosaurus]

The Yankees could still win without Texeira or Jeter. It would be a bit more difficult for the Twins without Mauer. If Derek Jeter gets the MVP, the award, in my view, becomes meaningless. Last year's choice of Pedroia was bad enough. Miguel Cabrera, however, is fair competition. He has carried the Tigers all season. The MVP contest should be between Mauer and Cabrera. Mauer should get it if the Twins can continue their run at the Tigers through these last ten games.

[Alex]

Headline should say "Mauer for MVP? No question, common sense says"

[Billy Ringo]

Tex and Jeter will split whatever Yankee vote there is.

Mauer wins, and rightfully so. Cabrera is not even in the mix.

Mauer wins MVP. Tex and Jeter win WS Rings.

[shmedly]

I don't see how anybody can even justify a debate on this thing. Mauer is clearly the MVP. Tex hitting .280 with 37 and 118 in THAT lineup and in THAT crackerjack new ballpark does not impress.

Mauers season is historic.

[Justin]

Mauer will put up a 400 average in a season before he's done with baseball lets just hope the Twins give him whatever he wants

[shmedly]

I just read that the Twins are going to offer Mauer $120M over 7 years. That aint gonna get it done, not even close.

Yanks and Sox fans rejoice! I see a Mauer in your future...:^(

[Ron Paul Knows All]

No kidding. Those are Morneau type numbers and Joe is worth alot more.

I see the Yanks offering 250M over 10 years. He's only 26!

[Sid H]

Shouldn't Shooter be writing this column? Any updates on Mancini's or Chris Weinke?

[Larry]

Derek Jeter!!!

[brachiosaurus]

Billy Ringo wrote:

Tex and Jeter will split whatever Yankee vote there is.
Mauer wins, and rightfully so. Cabrera is not even in the mix.
Mauer wins MVP. Tex and Jeter win WS Rings.

Mauer should win it, but give Cabrera his due. Without him Detroit would never be on top of the division. The guy has been an iron man--consistent from start to finish. Let's at least give Cabrera second place, the same spot we hope to find the Tigers in when the season ends.

[decal58]

I submitted this response a couple of weeks ago to some of the New York papers:

Joe Mauer vs Yankees for MVP

This is to all of the NY Yankees fans, which for the most part includes myself. You're running away with the division and have to be the odds on favorite to win “another” Worlds Series title. So why do you have to be so ignorant to the fact that Joe Mauer is the 2009 American League MVP? Actually you shouldn't hate, Jorge Posada is on his last legs and you know Joe is by far the best catcher in the game. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the Steinbrenners come a calling.

Initially all of the talk centered around Mark Texiara deserving the MVP award, but lately it has switched to Derek Jeter. Both of these individuals are excellent, but you would have to combine their stats and divide them down the middle to even be within the same ballpark as Mauer. To prove my point, let’s do just that:

Mauer Sal-10.5M AB-458 R-85 H-171 2B-26 HR-27
RBI-85 Avg-373 OBP-439 SLG-610 OPS-1049

Jeter & Texiara Sal-21.1M AB-570 R-96H-177 2B-33 HR-26 RBI-88 AVG-309 OBP-390SLG-510 OPS-901

Mauer Sal-10.6M AB-112 R-11 H-6 2B-7 HR+1 RBI-3 AVG+64 OBP+49 SLG+100 OPS+148

As it turns out, for half the money, Joe's performance this year clearly defines how valuable he has been to the Minnesota Twins. Although the season is not over yet, he is in the driver's seat to win his third batting title in the last four years. Let's put that in perspective, this feat had never been accomplished in the American League before he started his run, and the two times that it happened in the National League, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the U.S. President. It's also a good bet that he will win his second consecutive Golden Glove which is given to the best defensive player at each position. Even if he doesn't get it this year, he is only 26, and it's just a matter of time. Maybe it will be when he is wearing pinstripes so all of you can enjoy his brilliance like the rest of us.

[todd]

good for mauer ,maybe he'll bring the twins to win another world series

[Feces Occurs]

I don't think anyone on the Yankees should be considered for the MVP. When you have a team with so many mercenaries bought and paid for, if you take one away it will have no lasting effect. Take Mauer off the Twins and we are battling KC in the standings.

[TC Florida]

Mauer should at minimum be in the top 3 in mvp discussion. As the article reveals, the best player doesn't actually always win this award. Jeter is receiving a lot of attention for 'life time achievement' consideration. That would be wrong, but it could happen. Mauer is not only the best catcher in mlb, but he is now the best all around hitter with his new found power. I say mvp all the way!

Oh, and worth 7 years at 120 million!

[Sir Jivealot]

If the Twins win the AL pennant, then he's the MVP. Otherwise no.

[Ken-on Kent-Johnson]

If Mauer played in NY their would be no MVP discussion. He would have already won it. It's sad that the vote is determined by the pricks out east.

[Billy Ringo]

Feces Occurs wrote:

I don't think anyone on the Yankees should be considered for the MVP. When you have a team with so many mercenaries bought and paid for, if you take one away it will have no lasting effect. Take Mauer off the Twins and we are battling KC in the standings.

Isn't Mauer bought and paid for?

[Feces Occurs]

Billy Ringo wrote:

<quoted text>
Isn't Mauer bought and paid for?

Not Yet. He was drafted by the Twins, overpaid to play for them because they had more money to pay him than any other team.

[Billy Ringo]

Ken-on Kent-Johnson wrote:

If Mauer played in NY their would be no MVP discussion. He would have already won it. It's sad that the vote is determined by the pricks out east.

Obviously, you have no idea as to whom actually votes for MVP, do you?