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Young's .342 batting average ranks second in the league. (AP Photo)
Rangers' Young for AL MVP? Think about it
Michael Young for American League Most Valuable Player?
It sounds strange that Young is even in the conversation, because all the Texas Rangers super utility player is doing is having his typical season. It's just that the circumstances he's playing under this season have garnered Young more recognition.
And rightfully so.
Remember last year, when Texas manager Ron Washington finished second to Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire for AL Manager of the Year honors? A lot of people thought Gardenhire got the award more for his body of work throughout his managerial career.
Maybe that's the same for Young this year. He's won a batting title in his career. He's won an All-Star Game MVP. He's been to the All-Star Game seven times. He's won a Gold Glove. He's the club's all-time hits leader and has a shot at 3,000 hits.
While those numbers are impressive, Young never has finished better than eighth in the MVP voting. That came in 2004, when he hit .313 with 22 home runs and 99 RBIs. It also marked the only time Young has ever finished in the top 10 in voting.
That's certain to change this year, as Young has moved into the MVP hunt alongside New York's Curtis Granderson and Boston's Adrian Gonzalez. If I had a vote right now, I'd vote for Gonzalez, but that's no slight against Young -- and there's plenty of time for things to change.
Gonzalez is just having a better overall season, which should be rewarded.
There's no questioning Young's value to the Rangers this year, and maybe now people are catching on across the country.
"This team has a lot of important contributors, but when other guys are a little banged up or going through their ups and downs of a season, Mike's been the game guy every day," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Consistent approach. Consistent production. That's huge over a long season."
Notice how Daniels threw in the word "consistent" twice. That's typical Young.
Young headed into Thursday night's series finale in Anaheim hitting .342, which would be a career best. But he's already had six .300 seasonsr. His 85 RBIs have him on target for just his second career 100-RBI campaign, but he's been over 90 five times in his career.
While injuries have sidelined Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz, Young has played in a team-high 122 games. That's also typical Young, who has played in at least 150 games eight times.
Young has his detractors. There are those who think Ian Kinsler has been the team's most valuable player. Kinsler has been valuable, but he's been too inconsistent at the plate to take that honor from Young, even though Kinsler had played at a Gold Glove level on defense.
Young's third-base defense has also come under fire. Fans of sabermetrics are quick to point out that Young is no Beltre at third base. Tell me something I didn't know. There's a reason the Rangers signed Beltre to play third.
For those of you who can't stand watching Young play third, consider your options. Where would the Rangers be if they had to rely on Omar Quintanilla or Andres Blanco to play third* for the approximately six weeks Beltre will be out of the lineup? Maybe they are better defensively, but would that defense fill the void of what Young has provided from the cleanup spot in the order?
The sabermetricians point to stats like VORP (value over replacement player) where Young ranks somewhere between Mike Napoli and Brian McCann in the majors.* Imagine if the Rangers had to replace Young this year, which they almost did.
The fact they didn't make a deal also points to Young's value.
Remember the offseason trade demands made by Young. Those alone could have derailed the Rangers' season before it started. Young made sure that didn't happen the first day he showed up in Surprise for spring training.
He said he wasn't going to talk about a trade anymore and was there to play baseball. And that's exactly what he's done. He's been as consistent in the clubhouse as he's been on the field. He's still the team's unofficial captain.
Left-hander Derek Holland, who is having a breakout season, has been taken under Young's wing about how to be a professional. Holland could do much worse than having Young show him the way.
Young isn't having the all-around season Hamilton had last year, when he won the MVP. But Young could finish with more RBIs than Hamilton had last season (100).
It wouldn't surprise me if Young won the MVP. Six Rangers already have won the award, and Young certainly should be on the short list.
That list should include only a handful of players, with Young, Gonzalez, Granderson, Toronto's Jose Bautista and Detroit's Justin Verlander in the conversation. I'm still a believer that unless you've had an eye-popping season, the MVP should come from a contender.
That certainly keeps Young in the picture because no one stands out.
Kind of like Young.
Young's .342 batting average ranks second in the league. (AP Photo)
Rangers' Young for AL MVP? Think about it
Michael Young for American League Most Valuable Player?
It sounds strange that Young is even in the conversation, because all the Texas Rangers super utility player is doing is having his typical season. It's just that the circumstances he's playing under this season have garnered Young more recognition.
And rightfully so.
Remember last year, when Texas manager Ron Washington finished second to Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire for AL Manager of the Year honors? A lot of people thought Gardenhire got the award more for his body of work throughout his managerial career.
Maybe that's the same for Young this year. He's won a batting title in his career. He's won an All-Star Game MVP. He's been to the All-Star Game seven times. He's won a Gold Glove. He's the club's all-time hits leader and has a shot at 3,000 hits.
While those numbers are impressive, Young never has finished better than eighth in the MVP voting. That came in 2004, when he hit .313 with 22 home runs and 99 RBIs. It also marked the only time Young has ever finished in the top 10 in voting.
That's certain to change this year, as Young has moved into the MVP hunt alongside New York's Curtis Granderson and Boston's Adrian Gonzalez. If I had a vote right now, I'd vote for Gonzalez, but that's no slight against Young -- and there's plenty of time for things to change.
Gonzalez is just having a better overall season, which should be rewarded.
There's no questioning Young's value to the Rangers this year, and maybe now people are catching on across the country.
"This team has a lot of important contributors, but when other guys are a little banged up or going through their ups and downs of a season, Mike's been the game guy every day," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Consistent approach. Consistent production. That's huge over a long season."
Notice how Daniels threw in the word "consistent" twice. That's typical Young.
Young headed into Thursday night's series finale in Anaheim hitting .342, which would be a career best. But he's already had six .300 seasonsr. His 85 RBIs have him on target for just his second career 100-RBI campaign, but he's been over 90 five times in his career.
While injuries have sidelined Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz, Young has played in a team-high 122 games. That's also typical Young, who has played in at least 150 games eight times.
Young has his detractors. There are those who think Ian Kinsler has been the team's most valuable player. Kinsler has been valuable, but he's been too inconsistent at the plate to take that honor from Young, even though Kinsler had played at a Gold Glove level on defense.
Young's third-base defense has also come under fire. Fans of sabermetrics are quick to point out that Young is no Beltre at third base. Tell me something I didn't know. There's a reason the Rangers signed Beltre to play third.
For those of you who can't stand watching Young play third, consider your options. Where would the Rangers be if they had to rely on Omar Quintanilla or Andres Blanco to play third* for the approximately six weeks Beltre will be out of the lineup? Maybe they are better defensively, but would that defense fill the void of what Young has provided from the cleanup spot in the order?
The sabermetricians point to stats like VORP (value over replacement player) where Young ranks somewhere between Mike Napoli and Brian McCann in the majors.* Imagine if the Rangers had to replace Young this year, which they almost did.
The fact they didn't make a deal also points to Young's value.
Remember the offseason trade demands made by Young. Those alone could have derailed the Rangers' season before it started. Young made sure that didn't happen the first day he showed up in Surprise for spring training.
He said he wasn't going to talk about a trade anymore and was there to play baseball. And that's exactly what he's done. He's been as consistent in the clubhouse as he's been on the field. He's still the team's unofficial captain.
Left-hander Derek Holland, who is having a breakout season, has been taken under Young's wing about how to be a professional. Holland could do much worse than having Young show him the way.
Young isn't having the all-around season Hamilton had last year, when he won the MVP. But Young could finish with more RBIs than Hamilton had last season (100).
It wouldn't surprise me if Young won the MVP. Six Rangers already have won the award, and Young certainly should be on the short list.
That list should include only a handful of players, with Young, Gonzalez, Granderson, Toronto's Jose Bautista and Detroit's Justin Verlander in the conversation. I'm still a believer that unless you've had an eye-popping season, the MVP should come from a contender.
That certainly keeps Young in the picture because no one stands out.
Kind of like Young.
