Is Kevin Youkilis a MVP candidate?

August 18, 2008 at 2:03 AM

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It's not inconceivable to think that Kevin Youkilis could be the winner of the American League MVP award.

Youkilis, fourth in the A.L. in OPS with a line of .319/.387/.570 has so far avoided his second-half slump and has slid into the cleanup role rather nicely. He doesn't have the eye-popping home run numbers, but hangs around the top 10 in all the categories significant to voters.

Of course, Josh Hamilton's sensational story and 112 RBI merit serious consideration, but voters tend to give the award to those players who get their team into the playoffs or just barely miss out. With the Rangers' highly volatile pitching staff, there's only so much Hamilton and teammates Milton Bradley�� and Ian Kinsler can do, all MVP candidates in their own regard.

On the other hand, Carlos Quentin of the White Sox looks like an excellent candidate. With his league-leading 33 home runs and .289/.391/.574 line, he has been a huge reason why the White Sox are jockeying for the playoffs.

Youkilis' case can rest in his ability to play first and third and do so with defensive aplomb. He is willing to bat in any order in the lineup (has batted 1 through 6 this year), something that brings Terry Francona peace of mind.

J.D. Drew may steal some votes from Youkilis due to being fifth behind Youk in OPS, but the Rangers will all split votes among themselves, leaving the field free and clear for Carlos Quentin and Alex Rodriguez.

Is Youk worthy of an MVP award? You bet he is.

My own personal prediction has Quentin taking home the hardware with Youk coming in second. What say you?

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12 Comments on "Is Kevin Youkilis a MVP candidate?"

Posted by Shawn Medeiros, August 18, 2008 12:16 AM

MVP candidates - Hamilton, Youkilis, Pedroia (could be mentioned), Quentin, Carlos Pena (maybe), and maybe someone from the Anaheim Angels.

Other than that I have no clue.

Posted by Bay's Dad, August 18, 2008 1:09 AM

It all depends on the perfromance of Carlos Quentin and the rest of his team. If he keeps up his pace, which puts him every so slightly ahead of Youkilis in OPS, and first in the majors in HR AND the White Sox make the playoffs (they'd probably have to beat us for the WC as I think the Twins with Liriano are the favorites to win that division) then Quentin will win. But, if the White Sox fail to make the playoffs as I suspect, then Youkilis would lead all AL playoff bound batters in OPS.

Posted by Sam, August 18, 2008 2:04 AM

I personally think Josh Hamilton should win it ... but I'm a sucker for comeback stories ... No matter which one of these guys wins it it should be interesting ... a different face ... as long as it's not A-Rod of course ... bleh

Posted by Bay's Dad, August 18, 2008 2:15 AM

Hamilton is a very legitimate candidate, even if his team isn't anywhere near playoff contention. To me, this MVP vote comes down to how much importance the press puts on whether or not the player's team is in playoff contention or not.

Posted by ericinboston, August 18, 2008 6:43 AM

i think quentin wins... voters go for the hamilton story at #2... some fall in love with saves and vote k-rod with youkilis going underappreciated and receiving only enough votes for 4th place

Posted by Sean O, August 18, 2008 10:40 AM

I go by OPS+, since there isn't a Pedro-like pitcher:

1). Bradley

2). Slappy

3). Quentin

4). Youk

Posted by Jc, August 18, 2008 11:43 AM

Bradley is not getting it, if the yanks don't make the playoffs slappy won't get it, so it falls down to Quentin.

Posted by Daniel Rathman, August 18, 2008 1:09 PM

My current top-5:

1. Carlos Quentin

2. Milton Bradley

3. Kevin Youkilis

4. Josh Hamilton

5. Alex Rodriguez

Posted by bill, August 18, 2008 6:18 PM

You can make a case for Youk - If the Red Sux make the playoffs. But that wont happpen, cuz either the Yankees, Twins, or White Sox will catch em. Youkilis only hits for power cuz of the Monster, and he is a pussy ass wannabe who thinks he has balls. He keeps getting up and staring at Joba when he FUCKIN KNOCKS HIM OF HIS FEET, but he never does shit. Next time, Joba shouldnt miss and bean that muthafucka in his bald head. FUCK BOSTON! GO YANKS!

#10

Posted by Heidi Watney, August 18, 2008 9:15 PM

Bill- as classy as ever are you yanks fans.

Hamilton has to be the frontrunner followed by Quentin, Youkilis and Pedroia. Kinsler is also having a huge year.

www.checkswing.net

#11

Posted by gerry, August 19, 2008 12:38 AM

At this point only four of these guys have done heavy lifting for contending teams all year long: Youk, Quentin, Pedroia, Kinsler.

Hamilton and Bradley's surprise comebacks have been remarkable, worthy movies about redemption, maturity, success. But Kinsler, Pedroia, Quentin and Youk also come out of the blue and have been huge difference- makers in pennant runs, and who totally upstaged the A-Rods, Sizemores and Cabreras of the league. This is so close it simply can't be determined until the last day; and any of these new faces would be refreshing.

#12

Posted by Bottom Line Rob, August 19, 2008 8:23 AM

Youk's past few games have been a reminder tha he tends to fade in the 2nd half... if he gets back on track, he'll win it thanks to the voting power of Red Sox Nation... and he should, since he carried the Sox while Ortiz was hurt and after Manny left...

But if he fades, I like Qunetin or ESPN's favorite - Hamilton...

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