2009 AL MVP

Winner: Joe Mauer, Twins -- Story | Voting Results
User Choice: Joe Mauer, Twins
Scott Miller's prediction: Joe Mauer, Twins.
Mauer should win and will win. The Yankees will split the vote -- Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter among the Pinstriped worthies -- and Boston's Kevin Youkilis has become a perennial contender, but Mauer's all-around game sets him apart. Before him, it had been decades since a catcher won a batting title -- and he's now won three. He added power to his game this year (career-high 28 homers). And he tames opposing running games with his acumen behind the plate. The only possible knock on him was going to be if the Twins weren't contenders, but they stretched the AL Central race to Game 163 for a second consecutive year.

The candidates Joe Mauer, Catcher, Twins Stastically, Mauer’s numbers this season can’t be beat, even with missing all of April after a back injury. He finished with the AL batting title (.365) for a third consecutive season. He is only the 10th American Leaguer with three or more batting titles and the first catcher to lead the league in batting average, on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587) in the same year. His new-found power led to career-highs in HR (28) and RBI (96). And, that’s only offense. His defense isn’t lacking either. The Twins' run in the final-month was impressive and Mauer was a driving force behind the club overcoming a seven-game gap to catch up to the Tigers, forcing a tiebreaker and finally clinching a fifth division title in eight years. AB HR AVG RBI R SB 523 28 .365 96 94 4 Derek Jeter, Shortstop, Yankees This season is no different with the annual debate of “what is an MVP” hanging over the award. Is the MVP the player with the best statics regardless of the team, or is it the most consistent and productive player from a contending team? If you think the definition is the latter of the two, then Jeter is at the top of the list. He didn’t win a batting title this season, but he did have one of his best offensive seasons since 2006 (another MVP-like season) at the top of the lineup of the 2009 champions. He got on base, won a Gold Glove and stole bases. He was the club leader in stolen bases (30) and batting average (.334) and he is now the all-time Yankees hit leader with 2,747 after passing Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. AB HR AVG RBI R SB 634 18 .334 66 107 30 Mark Teixeira, First base, Yankees The spotlight was on Teixeira after signing the mega eight-year $180 million contract, but he didn’t crack under pressure. Teixeira, as your typical power-hitting first baseman, led the AL in home runs (tie at 39) and RBI (122), helping the Yankees cover for A-Rod’s absence in the beginning of the season. And, with a third Gold Glove Award under his belt, his defense improved the Yankees infield to one of the best defensive groups in the league. AB HR AVG RBI R SB 609 39 .292 122 103 2 Miguel Cabrera, First base, Tigers In five of the last six seasons, Cabrera has ripped 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI. He only missed the mark in 2006 by four home runs. He was a constant offensive leader in the Tigers’ lineup all season, and improved his defensive in his second season at first base. To see just how much he meant to the lineup, perhaps Cabrera’s end-of-the-season slump had something to do with the club’s epic slide from first in the division. He ended the season with one of his longest hitless streaks of the season and a domestic dispute that made headlines. Both will likely affect his MVP finish. AB HR AVG RBI R SB 611 34 .324 103 96 6 Honorable mention: Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels, Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, Michael Young, Rangers, Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners

Select Award AL - Most Valuable Player NL - Most Valuable Player AL - Cy Young Award NL - Cy Young Award AL - Rookie of the Year NL - Rookie of the Year AL - Manager of the Year NL - Manager of the Year Poll Who will be the AL MVP? 62% Joe Mauer MIN   24% Derek Jeter NYY   9% Mark Teixeira NYY   2% Miguel Cabrera DET   1% Other   Total Votes: 2836   Past Results Year MVP 2008 Dustin Pedroia, Boston, 2B 2007 Alex Rodriguez, New York, 3B 2006 Justin Morneau, Minnesota 2005 Justin Morneau, Minnesota 2004 Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels Complete list