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AL MVP award up for grabs

Tue 18th, November 2008

(Sports Network) - The Baseball Writers' Association of America will hand out their final postseason award on Tuesday, as the American League's Most Valuable Player will be announced.

But unlike most of the awards that have already been handed out, there is no clear-cut favorite here. Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia seems to have a slight edge, but it is wide open.

The 25-year-old Pedroia batted .326 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI and 118 runs scored. He also ranked first in the AL in doubles (54), fourth in total bases (322) and was the only player who had at least 175 hits, 75 runs scored, 75 RBI, 15 home runs, and 20 stolen bases while winning the Gold Glove.

Pedroia's teammate Kevin Youkilis also figures to get some votes, along with Minnesota's Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Texas' Josh Hamilton could also be in the running, as will Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Youkilis, who batted everywhere from first to seventh this season, batted .312 this season and hit 29 home runs and knocked in a team- high 115 runs. He was also sixth in on-base percentage (.390), third in slugging (.569), and fourth in OPS (.958).

Morneau, the 2006 winner of this award, knocked in 144 runs for the Twins this season - 44 more than any of his teammates. He also hit .300 with 23 home runs. Mauer, meanwhile, led the AL with a .328 average.

Hamilton continued his amazing return from the depths of drug abuse this season, as he led the league with 130 runs scored. Hamilton was incredible in the first half of the year, driving in 95 runs with 21 homers in just 93 games.

However, he slowed down considerably in the second half, knocking in just 35 runs over his final 63 games.

Then there's Rodriguez, who set the single-season saves mark with 62. The Angels won 63 games by one or two runs and Rodriguez saved 51 of them, while picking up the victory in two others.

And don't forget Chicago's Carlos Quentin, who seemed like a lock for this award before a wrist injury shut him down in September. Despite that he still finished second in the league with 36 home runs.

The winner will be announced at 2 p.m. (EST).