http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/2008_10_31_Tim_Wakefield_set_to_return:_Sox_to_exercise_option/srvc=home&position=also
Now, if we lose the caddy, I'd be 100% on board.
This, along with the AL MVP, is the award I think you can have the most discussion with.
The sad thing is if Lincecum doesn't get it (he should), it won't go to the next best deserving candidate, it will go to Brandon Webb (instead of Johan).
It's a lot closer than people think, IMO...between Longoria and Aviles.
[table]Player|Games|ABs|BA|OBP|SLG|OPS|OPS+|EQA|VORP
Longoria|122|448|.272|.343|.531|.874|125|.302|34.8
Aviles|102|412|.325|.354|.480|.834|122|.288|35[/table]
The fact that Aviles is a SS makes his case all the more compelling.
[table]Player|Avg.|HR|RBI|OPS|OPS+|EQA|VORP|WARP1
Dustin Pedroia|.326|17|83|.869|122|.299|62.3|9.8
Kevin Youkilis|.312|29|115|.959|143|.313|55.8|8.4
Joe Mauer|.328|9|85|.864|137|.315|55.5|9.6
Justin Morneau|.300|23|129|.883|137|.306|45.5|8.6
Josh Hamilton|.304|32|130|.901|136|.309|57.1|8.1[/table]
I would say it's a two horse race between Mauer and Pedroia simply because offense is so difficult to find at those positions. I'll give the slight edge to Pedroia because of the edge in VORP and WARP1.
An interesting debate:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2680495&univLogin02=stateChanged
So my question is, does Pujols think he deserves the MVP?
I think Pujols should win, simply because of the beastly numbers, but I do believe the door is open for Howard...his HR totals and the fact the Phillies closed out another tight race with the Mets in September could give him a puncher's chance.
Manny's 500th
Lester's No Hitter and his emergence a a frontline starter
19-17
Game 5 ALCS
Jed's HR in Toronto and the emergence of Justin Masterson
JD and Jason Bay's playoff awesomeness
Daisuke's unbelievable season (in more ways than one)