The best way to spell MVP is with a little 'd': "Big Papi" is immensely valuable—but remember, all he does is swing a bat

Ken Rosenthal

I'm not philosophically opposed to a designated hitter winning the American League Most Valuable Player award. I just don't think the circumstances fit the Red Sox's David Ortiz right now.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, an impact player both offensively and defensively, is just the type of candidate who would make it difficult to justify a vote for a DH such as Ortiz.

This baby is far from over--the outcome of the stretch drive likely will determine the MVP. If the Red Sox make the postseason and the Yankees don't, Ortiz could be a lock. If the situation is reversed, Rodriguez probably will prevail.

The definition of MVP is largely subjective, and voters are not specifically instructed to consider team performance. Still, I prefer MVPs who help their clubs reach the postseason. The real debate over Ortiz and Rodriguez will occur if the Red Sox and Yankees both make the playoffs. And a heated, legitimate debate it will be.

One A.L.G.M. says flatly, "There is no player who means more to his team than Ortiz means to the Red Sox." I can't argue with that. But Rodriguez's offensive numbers are comparable to Ortiz's. He also runs better, steals bases occasionally and is one of the top defensive third basemen in the league.

It would be different if Rodriguez were the defensive equivalent of Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox's devil-may-care left fielder. It also would be different if defense were clearly a secondary part of Rodriguez's game, the way it was for last year's N.L. MVP, Barry Bonds, and several previous winners in both leagues. By some statistical measures, Rodriguez isn't having a good season at third--he's second-worst among A.L. regulars in range factor, which is putouts and assists divided by innings, and zone rating, which is the percentage of balls fielded in a player's typical defensive zone, according to STATS Inc.

Rodriguez's range factor, however, might he diminished by the Yankees' pitching staff, which is fifth in the A.L. in ground-ball percentage but sixth in strikeout rate, reducing the number of balls in play. What's more, Rodriguez has rallied defensively after an uncharacteristically poor start--he has made 11 errors but only one since June 23.

However you look at it, Rodriguez is far more valuable to his team in the field than Ortiz, who has made only 10 starts at first base.

Although Ortiz undoubtedly is a better clutch hitter--he has a league-leading nine home runs to Rodriguez's four in "close and late" situations--consider the closeness of their overall numbers at the start of the week:

The discrepancy in RBIs is largely attributable to Ortiz's superior performance with runners in scoring position. Rodriguez led the A.L. with 210 plate appearances in those situations, but his on-base plus slugging percentage with RISP ranked 25th, and he was just third on his own team behind Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi. Ortiz, with 21 fewer plate appearances, had the league's sixth-best OPS in those situations. Ramirez was first.

Put it all together and it's impossible to make a case for Rodriguez as a more valuable offensive player. But factor in defense and baserunning, and the argument turns in Rodriguez's favor.

I know the voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America don't always vote consistently, a source of frustration for many fans. But just as each season is different, each vote is different--and each race must be considered on its merits.

I'd be reluctant to snub a complete player in favor of a DH--even a DH as valuable as David Ortiz.

speed reads

Ozzie Guillen's bluntness is part of his charm, but his White Sox players couldn't have been pleased to hear their manager say, "We flat-out stink," during the team's recent slide. Comments such as that cause a manager to lose support among his players. You never hear Bobby Cox or Tony La Russa criticize their teams so vehemently.

Even with the Dodgers' disappointing season, second baseman Jeff Kent deserves to finish among the top 10 in the National League MVP balloting. Kent began the week leading the league with a .381 batting average with runners in scoring position, and his defense has been better than the Dodgers expected.

Here's yet another reason why the Padres don't resemble a division champion: Manager Bruce Bochy, seeking the right offensive combination, used a different lineup in each of the club's first 15 games in September. Entering the week, Bochy had tried nine No. 3 hitters and 13 No. 5 hitters this season-including five of each this month.

A fond farewell to Mariners catcher Dan Wilson, who will retire with the everlasting respect of his teammates. All players should be as professional as Wilson.

In the N.L., Pujols has greater value than Jones and Lee

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee is the player of the year in the National League.

Braves center fielder Andruw Jones is the likely home run and RBI champ.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is the MVP.

The Cubs' poor performance cost Lee his shot, boiling the race down to Pujols and Jones, both of whom have been mainstays for first-place teams depleted by injuries.

Jones' 50 homers at the start of the week, 38 of which have come since June 11, make him a trendy choice. But Pujols' .335 batting average was 65 points higher than Jones'--and his .619 slugging percentage was 20 points higher.

There's one more advantage Pujols holds over Jones--his vastly superior performance with runners in scoring position. Pujols' on-base plus slugging percentage in those situations at the start of the week ranked seventh in the N.L.; Jones' ranked 82nd, and his batting average with RISP was .217.

Jones closes the gap with his brilliant defense in center field, a critical up-the-middle position. But Pujols, an underrated first baseman, is hardly a defensive liability. Factor that in with his offensive separation from Jones, and Pujols' overall value is greater.

Here's the neat part: This might not be the last MVP showdown between these two sluggers. Pujols is 25, and Jones is 28.

INSIDE DISH

If G.M. Brian Cashman leaves the Yankees, as many expect he will, his first choice probably will be the Nationals if the new ownership does not retain Jim Bowden. The Orioles would be another possibility, but it's difficult to imagine Cashman's working for owner Peter Angelos after serving under George Steinbrenner. The Mariners would be intriguing--they have money and hands-off ownership--but Cashman prefers the East Coast. Besides, Mariners G.M. Bill Bavasi is thought to be safe. * Things are going to work out for Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, who seems likely to get a contract extension. If he doesn't get one, Tracy can exercise an out clause in his deal and become a leading candidate for one of several expected managerial openings. The Pirates are one possibility; Tracy and Pirates G.M. Dave Littlefield worked together in the Expos' farm system in the early 1990s. A's manager Ken Macha, frustrated by his relationship with G.M. Billy Beane, has made no secret of his desire to land the Pittsburgh job. The Astros, Mets, Dodgers and Orioles might line up if the Marlins decide to trade 1B Carlos Delgado, but any team that acquires Delgado will owe him $43.9 million through 2008, plus a $4 million buyout and any increase he would receive to offset higher tax rates. Florida does not have a state income tax. * Don't be surprised if the Mariners show interest in RHP Jeff Weaver, a potential free agent. Dan Evans, a special assistant with the M's, traded for Weaver when he was the Dodgers' G.M. Weaver would be a good fit at Safeco Field, and the Mariners probably wouldn't need him to be their ace; that role will belong to phenom RHP Felix Hernandez. * Here's another reason why the Diamondbacks might trade IF/OF Chad Tracy for pitching with top prospect Carlos Quentin possibly taking over center field and Shawn Green returning to right: 1B Tony Clark's two-year, $2.068 million extension with Arizona includes a full no-trade clause in 2006 and a $250,000 bonus if he is dealt in 2007. * The Astros would prefer to acquire an outfielder (Brewers LF Carlos Lee?) rather than a first baseman because 1B Jeff BagWell might be able to contribute next season. But besides possibly exploring deals for Tracy and Brewers 1B Lyle Overbay, Houston could pursue White Sox 1B Paul Konerko as a free agent * A scout says of Red Sox rookie RHP Jonathan Papelbon: "I was as excited watching him as I was watching (Pirates LHP) Zach Duke earlier in the year. (Papelbon's) stuff when he signed out of (Mississippi State in 2003) was nowhere near where it is now." Papelbon also exudes the same I'm better than you confidence as Red Sox RHP Curt Schilling and Yankees LHP Randy Johnson, one Red Sox player says. > It's buyer beware on Tigers RHP Jason Johnson, a potential free agent who is 5-4 with a 2.69 ERA at spacious Comerica Park but is 3-8 with a 7.07 ERA on the road. Johnson would be only an average No. 3 or No. 4 starter for the Mariners, Giants or another team that plays in a pitcher-friendly park.

Marlins RHP A.J. Burnett, a potential free agent, did not help his market value with his late-season fade. "(Josh) Beckett has a better feel for pitching than A.J.," doesn't have that kind of imagination. He has to have a good catcher who makes sure he stays in the game. He'll start doing other things to do something different but without a plan."

Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com senior baseball writer His Insider column is special to the SPORTING NEWS.

                       Rodriguez    Ortiz
Batting average           .318       .296
On-base percentage        .420       .394
Slugging percentage       .604       .601
Home runs                   43         43
RBIs                       116        132

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