New York Yankees: Making the Case for Curtis Granderson as 2011 AL MVP

About a year ago, Curtis Granderson and Yankees hitting coach made some adjustments to his swing, basically making his swing more compact, allowing him to unleash a quicker bat with more power.  Since then, the Yankees' center fielder has been arguably the best player in the American League, improving all facets of his game.

For nearly the entire 2011 season, talks of Granderson winning the American League MVP have been murmuring.  He has not let up his torrid pace since entering September, forcing voters to seriously consider him for the award.  There are factors they must take into account that lead to any MVP award, but in Granderson's case, the number of reasons he can or can't win make this a very complicating achievement.

The Statistics

What Granderson has going for him is the most important factor: statistics.  Unlike bias thoughts or weighing opinions, the numbers on paper are concrete backings for his MVP case.  

The Yankees' center fielder can find himself near the top of many American League statistical categories.  He is first in runs (126) by a large margin (Jacoby Ellsbury is second with 100), second in home runs (38), second in triples (10), first in RBI (109), 12th in stolen bases (24), sixth in walks (77), third in slugging percentage (.575), and and fifth in OPS (.948).  

With a fast September, Granderson will join the 30-30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season), along with over 10 triples, an amazing feat for any player.  Besides his hitting, he has become an excellent center fielder with Gold Glove aspirations.

It may seem hard to fathom, but is not difficult to match Granderson's season up against those of Mickey Mantle.  Granted, Mantle had much more impressive seasons, but outside of his triple crown year of 1956, there aren't many if you combine the speed with power.  With all due respect to Bernie Williams, Granderson's season in center field has been the best since in Yankee uniform since the years of the Mick.  

The Red Sox Competition

Most of Granderson's competition lies within his own division, specifically in his arch-rival town of Boston.  The Red Sox have three potential MVP candidates, but that could be the exact reason none will win it.

Their leading player would have to be Jacoby Ellsbury.  It has taken him a few years to blossom, but he has arrived as a premiere center-fielder in the league, mixing speed and power similar to that of Granderson, while playing a stellar center field.  Unlike Granderson, however, Ellsbury bats for a much higher average (.312) than Granderson (.275).  Where Granderson lacks in contact, he makes up for in power, slugging 15 more home runs than Ellsbury so far this year.

Newly acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has also been terrific.  He has driven in over 100 runs already, and will most likely win the American League batting title.  His power has been short of expected, however, which may cost him the MVP award.

Their third candidate, Dustin Pedroia, is more of an honorable mention, but loses no respect in the process.  He has put together a very good season, one more appreciated by watching his play.  He can handle any situation from early in the order to protecting David Ortiz at clean-up, putting out great numbers and even greater hustle and grit in his play.

Is Justin Verlander's Incredible Season a Problem?

Granderson's biggest single competition may not even be a position player, but a pitcher.  This season, Justin Verlander has been nothing short of incredible, leading the Detroit Tigers right into an American League Central title.  

Verlander may end the season with 25 victories, an unprecedented number in this generation of limited starts and deep bullpens.  He leads the American League in victories, ERA (2.34), and WHIP (0.91), statistics surely good enough to win the Cy Young Award.

Thanks to his team, however, that is the only award Verlander will win this season.  It is becoming very apparent that the Tigers would win their division without their ace being a sensation.  If he had won 20 games the entire year, they would still most likely beat out the Cleveland Indians and move onto the postseason.  There's no question he makes them a major threat in October at this level of play, but he is not carrying them into the postseason.

Now, if the MVP award factored into the playoffs, Verlander would be a serious candidate to win.  If he win six or seven games in October and led the Tigers to the World Series, he would certainly be the favorite.  It does not, however, factor in the playoffs, so he will most likely not grab both the Cy Young and MVP. 

Robinson Cano: The Final Hurdle

Of all of Granderson's MVP obstacles, the biggest one could potentially be on his own team.  Second baseman Robinson Cano has quietly put together another splendid season in the shadows of Granderson, accumulating 24 home runs so far, and only RBI shy of Granderson.  But with his high batting average (.306), 40-plus doubles, and nearly flawless play at second base, he will has made his case for the award very clear.

Though his season is frankly not as impressive as Granderson's, he will probably steal votes from the Yankees' center fielder, opening the door from other candidates.  However, the Red Sox will steal votes from each other as well, and Verlander will not get enough, leaving Granderson the favorite to win the 2011 MVP award.