I think he should be a shoe-in, yet I do not expect the old guard of baseball to make the obvious choice of selecting him. Consider:
He lost his ace before the year ever began. Was told he had lost his #2 pitcher for over half the season after only a few pitches in his opening game. Was faced with rehabilitating two critical pieces who were struggling mightily or injured last year in Choo and Fielder.
Had a huge contract SS that was simply not playing up to expectation. Had a hole in CF that he had to fill with a vet with no bat or a pure rookie with no experience. LF was position filled by committee. Same for Catcher. Was depending on a big bat at 1B/DH in Moreland who had not played a full season ever.
Finally had one of the worst bullpens in baseball, filled with underperforming veterans and few rookies.
He had a horrible start to the season, where progress on many of the issues above didn't seem to be getting addressed. Yet, he didn't lose confidence or focus, and neither did his team. He simply rode the thing out and worked at getting things corrected, all the while keeping them and himself positive about the team. Outstanding, and deserving of MOTY recognition.
He lost his ace before the year ever began. Was told he had lost his #2 pitcher for over half the season after only a few pitches in his opening game. Was faced with rehabilitating two critical pieces who were struggling mightily or injured last year in Choo and Fielder.
Had a huge contract SS that was simply not playing up to expectation. Had a hole in CF that he had to fill with a vet with no bat or a pure rookie with no experience. LF was position filled by committee. Same for Catcher. Was depending on a big bat at 1B/DH in Moreland who had not played a full season ever.
Finally had one of the worst bullpens in baseball, filled with underperforming veterans and few rookies.
He had a horrible start to the season, where progress on many of the issues above didn't seem to be getting addressed. Yet, he didn't lose confidence or focus, and neither did his team. He simply rode the thing out and worked at getting things corrected, all the while keeping them and himself positive about the team. Outstanding, and deserving of MOTY recognition.
