Who’s Most Valuable?

The Red Sox have finally done it. It took until midway through August, but the Sox have finally succeeded to the level where the EEIdiots aren’t waiting for them to collapse. Sure, there’s the occasional “you never know” fool out there. But, by and large the EEIdiots are treating the rest of the Red Sox season like they do Patritos seasons. We know they’re winning the division, so fill our time with other things until the playoffs start.

What have they decided to fill their time with?

The debate for MVP of the American League. 

It’s actually an interesting discussion since the Red Sox really have two horses in the race. In a given year, the numbers that Mookie Betts and JD Martinez are putting up would definitely get them in the conversation. What’s interesting to me are the arguments being presented, on both sides, that are sometimes direct opposites of each other. Weird.

One of the arguments talk radio likes (because there’s no way to prove it) is the “value” part of MVP. Who is the most valuable? I heard one suggestion the other day that JD Martinez has been more valuable because of the off field things he’s done. Admittedly, he’s apparently done a lot for the team. He’s helping other players find flaws in their hitting. He’s assumed a leadership role. He’s definitely been the model player as far as the way he carries himself. And, I can’t argue that’s not valuable. But, if that’s the argument you want to make…that off-field things count…wouldn’t that put a lot more people into play for the award? What about someone like Brock Holt? He’s a pretty good teammate. He plays hard. Does that make him valuable? Would he be the most valuable on the team perhaps? Where do you stop pulling that thread? The people in JD’s camp also point out that the team is much better than last year, and he’s really the only new addition. So he must be valuable. Although, the team also won the division last year, just like they will this year. So, how valuable is he? 

Most people, even those who would vote for JD, agree that Mookie is the best all-around player on the team. That has to make him pretty valuable. Right? Mookie plays a spectacular right field, while JD is (mostly) a DH. Does that work in Mookie’s favor? Probably. I never really believe the notion that a DH can’t be an MVP. After all, am I going to punish a guy because his team has a better fielder? If JD was in the National league, he’d play in the outfield. Every game. But, because the Sox happen to have a way to play both him and Jackie Bradley Jr every game, he should be punished? After all, JD’s an adequate outfielder. It’s not like putting him out there takes away all the value he brings at the plate.

So, who is it?

I’m with Mookie. I think he just does too much too well. If you strictly look at offensive numbers, Mookie does things that JD can’t, but JD doesn’t really do anything Mookie can’t. The gap between Mookie and JD on the bases, for instance, is bigger than the gap between JD and Mookie in home run power. In the field, Mookie isn’t just an adequate fielder, he’s a phenomenal fielder. Maybe the best right fielder in the league. There’s just too much talent everywhere for me to ignore. The best fielder is leading the league in batting and slugging? What more, exactly, do you want from a guy?

I say, “Nothing!” that’s why Mookie’s my MVP.

Who’s yours?