Curtis Granderson wins the IBWAA AL MVP. I’m a bit disappointed in the vote, as I had Justin Verlander at the top of my ballot:
The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) announced the second of its 14 annual awards Monday, naming New York Yankees’ center fielder Curtis Granderson its 2011 American League Most Valuable Player.
Voting results are as follows:
1st Place: Curtis Granderson, NYY
2nd Place: Adrian Gonzalez, Bos
3rd Place: Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos
4th Place: Miguel Cabrera, Det
5th Place: Robinson Cano, NYY
6th Place: Jose Bautista, Tor
7th Place: Justin Verlander, Det
8th Place: Michael Young, Tex
9th Place: Dustin Pedroia, Bos
10th Place: Adrian Beltre, TexLos Angeles Times’ baseball writer and IBWAA member, Kevin Baxter, explains his Granderson vote this way: “There was not a more complete player in the American League than Curtis Granderson. Certainly the Yankees’ deep lineup provided him protection but from runs scored to home runs, from total bases to stolen bases, Granderson was near the top of every list. And almost forgotten is the fact he solidified the Yankee defense by playing an excellent center field.”
David Pinto, of BaseballMusings.com, having voted differently, shares this perspective: “Justin Verlander turned in a memorable season, with his win total being his least impressive accomplishment. His ability to go deep in games while maintaining velocity, and holding opponents to a .191 BA despite an average defense made him the outstanding player of 2011 in the American League.”
I would have hoped that Jose Bautista would have done better as well.
Wow David. That’s really discouraging. I wonder who the two guys at the “MLB Fan Cave” would vote as MVPs….
Wow. I mean, WOW.
I would’ve gone with Bautista at the top, followed by Verlander, & then Ellsbury. I would never have considered Granderson.
Verlander? Give me a break. Sabathia posted a better WAR (per FanGraphs), and Granderson’s was the same as Verlander’s. Ellsbury was far and away the most valuable player in the American League this season–and I say that as a Yankee fan.
Slideshow Bob » There is a huge disagreement between fWAR and bWAR on Verlander this season.
What does Michael Young have to do in order to win an MVP? He just led the entire league in hits, played all over the infield and I’m thinking the Rangers don’t get to where they are right now without Young have the season he just had.
I like Mike, think at least a decent amount of the anger seemingly directed at him is myopic, but he’ll (almost certainly) never get the MVP. And frankly, I think what he got is about right. So hard to figure out where to put Bautista. And I’m a little surprised that Adrian and Jacoby are both so high.