2008 American League MVP Candidates

In many ways, the 2008 American League baseball season has been a changing of the guard. Perrennial MVP candidates like Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero have fallen off in the production department while a handful of players who were virtual unkowns just three years ago have broken out to dominate the leader boards in all of the major statistical categories. Although there is still one month of baseball remaining, it's a safe bet that one of the players on this list will take home the 2008 American League MVP award.

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

Prior to 2007, Josh Hamilton was considered washed-up; a problem child with a drug problem that had driven the former overall Number One draft pick right out of baseball. But last season he made a respectable comeback with the Cincincinnati Reds, and this year, after a winter trade to the Texas Rangers, Hamilton has been nothing short of remarkable. In addition to an historic display of power during the All-Star home run derby at Yankee Satdium (which cannot be taken into account for MVP voting purposes), Hamilton finished his first full big league season hitting .304 with 32 home runs (many of which nearly left the stratosphere, by the way) and an American League-leading 130 RBI.

Hamilton's production dropped off in the latter part of the year, however, a dip that may be attributable to the fact that he never played more than 100 many games in a season before. Utlimately, that slow second half and the Rangers' unremarkable season should keep Josh out of the money. But look for him to finsih in the Top 5.

Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox

Another slugger who came through this season is Kevin Youkilis. The Red Sox first baseman started the season as a lifetime .282 hitter who averaged 15 home runs and about 70 RBI a season. But he broke out in 2008, batting .312 with 29 homers and 115 RBI. He couldn't have done it at a better time, either, because Boston's traditional offensive forces have all been out of the lineup at various times because of injury (Ortiz, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew) or trade (Manny Ramiriez). Accordingly, Youk's contributions to the Sox, who won the American League wild card race, are worthy of at least a few MVP votes. But he's not the only Boston player who deserves a mention.

Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

If you don't like Dustin Pedroia, then you don't like baseball. The Boston second baseman, who is generously listed at five-feet-nine and 175 pounds, may be small, but he packs a serious punch. After winning the A.L. Rookie of the Year and the World Series in 2007 (a feat most recently accomplished in the American league by Derek Jeter), Pedroia finsihed his sophomore season hitting .326, second best in the American League. Dustin also finsihed first in runs scored (118), hits (213) and doubles (54) to go along with 17 home runs and 83 RBI -- not too shabby for a second baseman who hits in the 2-hole.

Pedroia's candidacy however, is remarkably similar to that of Derek Jeter's in 2006. That year, Jeter hit .343 (also second in the A.L.), had one more hit, 14 more RBI, 14 more steals and scored the same number of runs as Pedroia. Also, the Yankees won the division in 2006, something pedroia was not able to make happen in Boston this year. Yet Jeter did not win the MVP, instead winning it to the more traditional slugger Justin Morneau.

It will be intirguing to see how the same voters who shut Jeter out in 2006 will vote when it comes to Pedroia. Very interesting.

Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels

It's been 15 years since Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland A's became the last relief pitcher to win the American League MVP. However, if there has ever been a closer worthy of the MVP award, it's Francisco Rodriguez in 2008. In case you missed it, Rodriguez broke Bobby Thigpen's Major League record by notching 62 saves. That kind of value -- the kind that literally turns a baseball game into an eight inning affair -- is hard to be measured. Unless of course, the voters measure it by voting K-Rod the American League MVP.

Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins

He's been huge for the Twins, who as of the end of the regular season, are still fighting for the American League Central Division title. With the possibility of a 163rd game looming for the Twins on September 30, Morneau is batting .302 with 47 doubles, 23 home runs and 129 RBI. Considering this team has lost a ton of talent in the past two years and is still competitive, Morneau's contributions should be viewed through that light. If the Twins win, and Morneau has almost the same numbers that won him the award in 2006, Morneau could win his second award in three years.

Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox

Quentin has been the best player on one of the best teams in the American League, and he has done it consistently since the Sox broke training in April. Quentin currently leads the American league in home runs with 36, is third in RBI with 100, fourth in runs scored with 95 and third in OPS at .967. If the White Sox hang on and win the A.L. Central, and Quentine maintains the pace that he's kept up all season, he could be the odds-on favorite to win the 2008 American League MVP. However, Quentin fractured his wrist on September 1st, and will be out for the rest of the regular season, which should eliminate his shot at the award.

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