Jose Bautista Is MLB's Best Player, but Justin Verlander Is the MVP

Justin Verlander is the American League's most valuable player this season. Of course, there is little chance that he will win the MVP.

According to Jack O'Connell, secretary-treasurer for the BBWAA. the MVP "...award places 'value' on contributions to the team by a player."

The rules of voting are: (1) actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense; (2) number of games played; (3) general character, disposition, loyalty and effort.

The MVP does not have to be the best player. In 2011, the best position player is Jose Bautista. The best pitcher is Justin Verlander.

The fact that the Cy Young Award exists should not affect voting for the MVP, despite what Jim Leyland believes.

No player has contributed more to his team than Verlander.

The Toronto Blue Jays will finish fourth. Without Jose Bautista, they might finish last. It is unfair, but all Jose Bautista's great talent can accomplish is preventing the Blue Jays from finishing behind the Baltimore Orioles.

The problem could be solved by simply having "The Best Player Award."

The Detroit Tigers will probably win the Central Division championship. They lead the second place Cleveland Indians by six and one-half games and the Chicago White Sox by seven games.

Justin Verlander has made 28 starts. He has won 19 games with a 2.28 ERA, a 174 ERA+ and a 0.878 WHIP.

The Tigers have played 131 games, which means Verlander has played in only 21 percent of their games. He does not meet the required criterion with respect to games played.

Only relief pitchers such as Mike Marshall (106 appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974) and Mark Eichhorn (87 appearances in 1987 with the Toronto Blue Jays) come close.

The Tigers are 72-59. They have won 13 more games than they have lost. Verlander is 19-5. He has won 14 more games than he has lost.

How does 53-54 sound?

Max Scherzer is 13-7 but he has a 4.21 ERA, a 94 ERA+ and a 1.331 WHIP. He is fortunate to have won 13 games.

Brad Penny and Rick Porcello are the other two starters. Penny is 9-9 with a 4.82 ERA, an 82 ERA+ and an obscene 1.480 WHIP, while Porcello is 12-8 with a horrible 5.01 ERA, a 79 ERA+ and 1.444 WHIP.

The Tigers score an average of 4.52 runs a game. Scherzer allows slightly fewer earned runs, but Penny and Porcello allow more.  Yes, they never pitch a full nine innings. Only Verlander has at least one complete game (four).

Where would the Tigers be without Verlander? The answer is third place.

Let's assume that the Tigers would have to replace Verlander. They acquired Doug Fister at the trading deadline. He has made five starts and is 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA, a 116 ERA+ and a 1.291 WHIP.

Fister is an upgrade, but he is no Justin Verlander.

Another point is that without Fister, the Tigers were using Phil Coke, who has had some problems (2-8) as one of their starters.

How does a starting rotation of Fister, Scherzer, Penny, Porcello and Coke sound? It would have as much chance of leading the Tigers to the Central Division title as Brandon Inge has of being voted the most popular Tiger.

Justin Verlander is the most valuable player in the American League because he is the difference between winning a division title or finishing third.

The New York Yankees would make the playoffs without Curtis Granderson, the Boston Red Sox would make the playoffs without Adrian Gonzalez and it is highly unlikely that Jered Weaver will lead the Los Angeles Angels to the playoffs.

There is no doubt that Jose Bautista is the best player, but Verlander is the most valuable.