If American League MVP Voting Was Today, Who Should Win?

THE TOP TEN

1. Carlos Quentin (CWS) - the White Sox left fielder is the reason why Chicago is a first-place team. Chicago's big sluggers (Konerko & Thome) weren't producing, and Quentin filled in. Quentin leads the AL with 26 home runs. He also has 76 RBI (second), a .930 OPS (eighth), .547 slugging (fifth), .380 OBP (14th), and a .279 average. Not to mention he leads the AL with 16 game-winning RBI and his K:BB ratio is 1.3-1.

2. Josh Hamilton (Tex) - the Rangers center fielder leads the AL with 100 RBI. He also has 22 homers (third), a .305 average (14th), .542 slugging (eighth), .362 OBP, and .904 OPS (11th). He can play decent defense. Hamilton doesn't get the first-place MVP vote because, although amazing, his play doesn't do anything (it contributes to being 10.5 games behind the Angels). His K:BB ratio is 1.8-1.

3. Ian Kinsler (Tex) - the Rangers second baseman leads the AL with a .325 average and 137 hits. He has 60 RBI (15th), 14 home runs, 25 stolen bases (sixth), a .383 OBP (10th), .526 slugging (13th), and .910 OPS (tenth). He doesn't play the best defense wih 16 errors (second worst). If the Rangers were better, he'd be my No. 1 MVP vote.

4. Alex Rodriguez (NYY) - the Yankees third baseman has a .318 batting average (fourth), 21 homers (fifth), 61 RBI (10th), a .990 OPS (second), .398 OBP (sixth), 15 stolen bases, and leads the AL in slugging with .593.

5. Jermaine Dye (CWS) - the White Sox right fielder has a .314 average (seventh), .928 OPS (sixth), 60 RBI (15th), 22 homers (fourth), a .564 slugging percentage (third), and plays gold glove defense.

6. Milton Bradley (Tex) - the Rangers designated hitter leads the AL with a 1.016 OPS and .431 OBP. He also has .584 slugging (second), .309 batting avg (11th), 57 RBI, and 19 home runs (seventh).

7. Justin Morneau (Min) - the Twins first baseman has a .317 batting average (fifth), .389 OBP (eighth), .509 slugging (15th), .892 OPS (13th), 73 RBI (third), and leads AL first basemen in fielding percentage (.998).

8. Kevin Youkilis (Bos) - the Red Sox first baseman has a .310 batting average (10th), .381 OBP (13th), .927 OPS (seventh), 68 RBI (fifth), and plays Gold Glove defense, as well.

9. JD Drew (Bos) - the Red Sox right fielder has 18 home runs (13th), 57 RBI (19th), a .407 OBP (third), .555 slugging (fourth), and .962 OPS (third). He stepped up major and kept Boston alive when David Oritz went down with injury.

10. Cliff Lee (Cle) - the Indians starting pitcher has 13 wins (first), a 2.29 ERA (second), 120 strikeouts (10th), 20 walks (first for at least 120 IP), 5.5:1 K:BB (first for at least 120 IP), 1.05 WHIP (third), and .239 BAA (eighth). Presumptive Cy Young winner.

THE BEST OF THE REST

11. Francisco Rodriguez (LAA) - 43 saves, 2.14 ERA, 48 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP, .176 BAA. On pace to break single-season saves record and is all-important with a weak Angels offense.

12. Mariano Rivera (NYY) - 25 saves (in 25 opportunities), 1.17 ERA, 57 strikeouts, .067 WHIP, .168 BAA.

13. Justin Duchscherer (Oak) - 10 wins, 1.87 ERA, .089 WHIP, .190 BAA. Keeping A's wild-card hopes alive.

14. Manny Ramirez (Bos) - .301 AVG, 62 RBI, 19 HR, .402 OBP, .530 SLG, .932 OPS.

15. Joe Mauer (Min) - .319 AVG, 44 RBI, 6 HR, .415 OBP, .456 SLG, .871 OPS.

16. Magglio Ordonez (Det) - .314 AVG, 57 RBI, 13 HR, .375 OBP, .494 SLG, .869 OPS.

17. Nick Markakis (Bal) - .292 AVG, 54 RBI, 15 HR, .395 OBP, .481 SLG, .876 OPS. One error and nine outfield assists.

18. Grady Sizemore (Cle) - .272 AVG, 56 RBI, 25 HR, .377 OBP, .544 SLG, .922 OPS. One error and 24 stolen bases.

19. Evan Longoria (TB) - .276 AVG, 60 RBI, 19 HR, .351 OBP, .527 SLG, .878 OPS. Seven errors.

20. Miguel Cabrera (Det) - .290 AVG, 71 RBI, 17 HR, .354 OBP, .491 SLG, .845 OPS. Twelve errors.