http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-9121379
Cano Makes His Way into AL MVP Debate
By Ray Monell, Yahoo! Contributor Network
7 hours, 4 minutes ago
Robinson Cano's(notes) bases-clearing double off reliever Dan Cortes(notes) in the seventh inning of the Yankees' three-game series opener vs. the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field Monday night not only gave his team a 9-1 lead, it also reminded us why he should be among the favorites to win the 2011 American League MVP Award.
New York would eventually win the contest, 9-3, increasing its lead in the AL East to four games.
Cano's teammate, Curtis Granderson(notes) (.266 AVG., 39 HR, 111 RBI), and Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez(notes) (.339 AVG., 25 HR, 108 RBI) have dominated such talks for most of the season. And recently, Granderson and Gonzalez have been joined in that regard by pitcher Justin Verlander(notes) (22-5, 2.44 ERA) of the Detroit Tigers, whose name should already be engraved on the 2011 Cy Young Award.
Cano (.304 AVG., 25 HR, 109 RBI) hasn't suffered a power drought since winning this year's Home Run Derby—a jinx popularized by ex-Yankee Bobby Abreu(notes) several years back—hitting one of New York's record-breaking three grand slams on Aug. 25 against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium.
Defensively, Cano, who won a Gold Glove Award last year, has been as sure-handed as any second baseman, leading the AL in assists and putouts.
The Yankees offense hasn't suffered from losing Alex Rodriguez(notes) to injury at different points this season, and Cano has everything to do with that.
Gonzalez's batting average will be tough for voters to overlook, and his power numbers are equal to Cano's. Granderson is leading in homers and in runs driven in by a narrow margin, but his candidacy will suffer greatly unless he raises his average another 10 points or so.
Either way, Cano deserves consideration, because his "value" to the Yankees, what he brings on both sides of the baseball, has helped them enjoy a comfortable lead in the standings despite their poor record against the Red Sox this season.
Cano Makes His Way into AL MVP Debate
By Ray Monell, Yahoo! Contributor Network
7 hours, 4 minutes ago
Robinson Cano's(notes) bases-clearing double off reliever Dan Cortes(notes) in the seventh inning of the Yankees' three-game series opener vs. the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field Monday night not only gave his team a 9-1 lead, it also reminded us why he should be among the favorites to win the 2011 American League MVP Award.
New York would eventually win the contest, 9-3, increasing its lead in the AL East to four games.
Cano's teammate, Curtis Granderson(notes) (.266 AVG., 39 HR, 111 RBI), and Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez(notes) (.339 AVG., 25 HR, 108 RBI) have dominated such talks for most of the season. And recently, Granderson and Gonzalez have been joined in that regard by pitcher Justin Verlander(notes) (22-5, 2.44 ERA) of the Detroit Tigers, whose name should already be engraved on the 2011 Cy Young Award.
Cano (.304 AVG., 25 HR, 109 RBI) hasn't suffered a power drought since winning this year's Home Run Derby—a jinx popularized by ex-Yankee Bobby Abreu(notes) several years back—hitting one of New York's record-breaking three grand slams on Aug. 25 against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium.
Defensively, Cano, who won a Gold Glove Award last year, has been as sure-handed as any second baseman, leading the AL in assists and putouts.
The Yankees offense hasn't suffered from losing Alex Rodriguez(notes) to injury at different points this season, and Cano has everything to do with that.
Gonzalez's batting average will be tough for voters to overlook, and his power numbers are equal to Cano's. Granderson is leading in homers and in runs driven in by a narrow margin, but his candidacy will suffer greatly unless he raises his average another 10 points or so.
Either way, Cano deserves consideration, because his "value" to the Yankees, what he brings on both sides of the baseball, has helped them enjoy a comfortable lead in the standings despite their poor record against the Red Sox this season.
