Alex Rodriguez MVP: Is New York Yankees Star In Running For MVP Now?
Alex Rodriguez MVP talk has started up after the game he had for the New York Yankees on Saturday (July 25). Rodriguez hit three home runs against the Minnesota Twins, accounting for a lot of the offense as the Yankees found a way to win again. Rodriguez hit solo home runs off starting pitcher Tommy Milone in the fourth and seventh innings, and then closed it off with a two-run homer against Glen Perkins in the ninth inning.
The amazing night by Rodriguez increased his season totals to 23 home runs and 58 RBIs, numbers that some MLB analysts had predicted as the ceiling for his return to the game. It’s very clear that the former MLB MVP is still a huge threat at the plate, and that he may have just thrust himself into the conversation for the MVP this year, as well. With 66 games left in the regular season for the Yankees, he has a shot to really put up some impressive numbers.
With no clear frontrunner for the award in the American League, it looks like the race might still be wide open. Miguel Cabrera looked like he might be the easy choice, posting a.350 batting average, 15 home runs, and 54 RBIs through his first 77 games. An injury derailed him a bit and it might have taken the Detroit Tigers out of being serious postseason contenders. The other guy near the top of the list is Mike Trout, who has a.307 average, 29 home runs, and 59 RBIs so far. He might be the Vegas favorite at this point.
Other players like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, and even J.D. Martinez head up a group of contenders putting up great numbers this year. But now, an argument could be made that Alex Rodriguez is right up there with them, now. Through his first 90 games this season, Rodriguez has a.914 OPS, 23 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 55 runs scored. To put that in perspective, he is ranked sixth in homers, ninth in RBIs, and sixth in OPS. And those numbers continue to get better.
While it’s going to take a strong finish from Rodriguez to gain a lot of votes in this MVP race, he has certainly proved that he can still hit. Though spending his time at designated hitter now, he is clearly one of the reasons the New York Yankees are way up in the American League East. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, there was a lot of debate in Spring Training about whether he would even have a full-time role with the team. This Alex Rodriguez MVP chatter indicates he has earned his spot in the lineup. Even if he tails off and doesn’t come close to winning the award, the 2015 MLB season should be considered a success for him.
[Image Source: Al Bello / Getty Images]
