Verlander extraordinary for playoff-bound Tigers, but not MVP worthy

Justin Verlander for Cy Young? Without a doubt. For MVP? No. (Photo: Reuters//Kevin Bartram)

The Detroit Tigers clinched the division for the first time since 1987 earlier this September, and a big reason why was the play of pitcher Justin Verlander. The ace has been incredible all season long, compiling a record of 24-5 with just a 2.29 ERA. He has won 12 straight starts, having not lost since July 15th, and in 17 of his 33 starts he has allowed one or zero earned runs. He will be the runaway winner for the American League Cy Young award, but due to his success he is also in the MVP conversation.

He has been the best pitcher in baseball this season. His team is heading to the playoffs after finishing third in the AL Central last season with a disappointing 81-81 record. The turnaround has been superb, and his ability to take yet another step towards greatness is rightfully their top storyline. Yet, there are others far more deserving of being named MVP.

Jacoby Ellsbury is one of them. The Boston Red Sox center-fielder is well on his way to hitting 30-plus homers and driving in 100-plus rbi’s; he is two shy in both categories. He reached the 200-hit plateau in a demoralizing loss to the Orioles and has 45 doubles, 37 steals, 114 runs scored, and a superb .376 On Base Percentage. He is also one of the few Red Sox hitters playing well in September, hitting .361 with four homers, 14 rbi’s, and 10 doubles.

Curtis Granderson is another candidate. The New York Yankees center-fielder has a batting average that is 42 points lower than Ellsbury’s (.271 to .319), which is a serious knock on his candidacy, and he has struck out 161 times this season, 66 more than Ellsbury, but he has carried the team offensively. Alex Rodriguez has been oft-injured and not his usual self, while Mark Teixeira has seen his effectiveness overall decrease. Without Granderson producing as he has, New York probably wouldn’t be leading the American League East. He, who is the first American League center-fielder since 1961 to have 130 runs scored and 115 rbi’s in a season, has certainly made his hits count.

There are others who are in the conversation: Ellsbury’s teammates Adrian Gonzalez and Dustin Pedroia, along with Tigers power-hitting first-baseman Miguel Cabrera and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista.

Cases have been made for Verlander to not only be in the discussion but also win the award. An ESPN poll had him above the rest. Many writers have, too. Not this one, though. He may not even be the most valuable player on his team, let alone the league. There’s a reason his own manager wasn’t backing his candidacy in late August.

“I don’t think a pitcher should be the Most Valuable Player,” he said at the time. “I’m not looking for arguments or controversy I just think when a guy goes out there 158 times or 155 times and has a big year, an MVP type year I don’t think the guy that goes out there 35 times should be named over that guy.”

Leyland has since changed his tune.

“I have to be careful with this one,” he told MLB.com. “I personally do not think pitchers should be MVP. But the way the system is, he should be a top-notch candidate for MVP. There’s no question about it. And I’ll just leave it at that.”

Leyland is backing his player, but he is in the wrong. The pitchers have their own award–the Cy Young. If a pitcher gets the MVP, a share should go to his catcher and defense, then, right? After all, he can be as reliant on them as his own repertoire.

To keep the noise surrounding Verlander from happening, the MVP should be changed to MVH–Most Valuable Hitter. That way, Ellsbury, Granderson, and any other worthy everyday player can be in a league of their own in the race for such a meaningful trophy.