RINGOLSBY: Pujols changes MVP stance

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 20, 2008 at 9:04 p.m.

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Photo by Tom Gannam / Associated Press

The Cardinals' Albert Pujols finished second in NL Most Valuable Player voting two years ago when St. Louis won the World Series.

Two years ago, St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, fresh off helping his team win the World Series, was upset that he finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player voting to Ryan Howard of Philadelphia, which finished second in the National League East.

"Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP," said Pujols.

This week, Pujols did a quick reversal when, despite playing for the fourth-place Cardinals, he won the NL MVP, and Howard, whose Phillies won the World Series, finished second, saying that the statistical accomplishments of a player have to be given heavy consideration.

Usually, statistics aren't the deciding factor. Usually, the Baseball Writers Association of America writers who vote for the award put an emphasis on a team at least being in contention.

There are a handful of groups that present Player of the Year awards, including the Major League Baseball Players Association, which hands out awards based on the players' vote. Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award that goes to the best offensive players in both leagues and has a weighted vote with broadcasters and analysts accounting for 70 percent and the fans the other 30 percent.

The BBWAA is the only group that gives its award to the "most valuable."

Pujols, in fact, was the first MVP from a team that finished as low as fourth place since Andre Dawson won the award with the sixth-place Cubs in 1987.

Infield chatter

* The Mets have targeted Seattle closer J.J. Putz as their priority. He is signed for 2009 at $5 million with an option for 2010 at $8.6 million or a $1 million buyout, which is a lot less than the expectation of prime free-agent closers such as Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.

* Oakland and San Francisco are among the most active suitors of free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. The Athletics want to move former Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, who has battled injuries since that first season, and the Giants are looking to replace veteran Omar Vizquel.

* Baltimore, which selected Maryland native Mark Teixeira out of high school and had their $1 million offer rejected when he opted to attend Georgia Tech, is making another run at the first baseman as a free agent.

Out in left field

Witt Boston's Dustin Pedroia winning the AL MVP award and third baseman Kevin Youkilis finishing third, and with Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau and catcher Joe Mauer finishing second and fourth, it is the first time since 1980 that two teams had two of the top four in the voting.

In 1980, Royals third baseman George Brett won the AL award and outfielder Willie Wilson finished fourth. Yankees DH Reggie Jackson was second and closer Goose Gossage third.

And if that wasn't dominating enough, Yankees catcher Rick Cerone was seventh and Royals closer Dan Quisenberry eighth.

The rotation

Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia became only the fifth player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards within his first two seasons. The honored:

Player, position, Team, Seasons

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox, 2007-08

Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies, 2005-06

Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners, 2001*

Cal Ripken, SS, Orioles, 1982-83

Fred Lynn, CF, Red Sox, 1975*

*Won rookie, MVP awards the same season

Closing statement

A.J. Burnett has become a hot commodity on the free-agent market. After opting out of the final two years and $24 million of his contract in Toronto, not only do the Blue Jays want to re-sign him, but the big spenders, Boston and the Yankees, are interested, along with Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Buyer beware.

Burnett was 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA for the Blue Jays last year and led the AL with 34 starts and 231 strikeouts. It was the first time in his career, though, that he has won more than 12 games in a season and only the second time he has started as many as 30 games.

His other 30-start season was 2005 with Florida when he was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA and, like this year, showed durability in a season that led to free agency.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said his team could partner with the Rockies on a new multiteam spring training facility in Tucson or the Phoenix area.

Both teams have the right to opt out of their current leases because the Chicago White Sox paid $5 million to get out of the remainder of their lease at Tucson Electric Park, leaving two teams in Tucson. Hall said it would be 2011 at the earliest before a new facility could be put in place.

After hosting Cleveland in spring training from 1946 through 1991, Tucson was without a team in 1992 before the Rockies came into existence in 1993 and began training there. In 1998, when Arizona began play, the Diamondbacks and White Sox moved into Tucson Electric Park for spring training.

Rockies officials have indicated if they stay in the Tucson area, they will need a revamped facility, and talks have centered on a possible two-team facility in Marana, which is north of Tucson, on the way to Phoenix.

* Rockies scouting director Bill Schmidt was an assistant coach at Arizona State in 1985 and became a believer then on the potential of Don Wakamatsu, a catcher for the Sun Devils.

"He had that ability to make a pitcher better when he was behind the plate," Schmidt said of Wakamatsu, hired as manager of the Seattle Mariners this week. "He had the feel for the game. He read situations well. He was a leader."

* Catcher Yorvit Torrealba hit .213 in his first 19 games with Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League. Cristian Colonel, playing for LaGuaira, hit .333 in his first 21 games with 12 doubles, a triple, two home runs and 15 RBI. . . . Former right-handed starter Esmil Rogers is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in four relief appearances with Licey in the Dominican Republic Winter League. He has allowed three unearned runs.

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