MLB Dream Job Essay #2

My name is Murrell, and here is the second essay I wrote for the MLB Dream Job.  This is one is who I think will win the AL and NL MVP Awards and why.

My pick for American League MVP is Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox.  Most guys want to get off to a good start when they are with a new team, and there are reports his shoulder is healing on schedule, so he should ready and motivated for the season.  His numbers last year were incredible, hitting .298 with 31 homers and 101 RBI, and that was in Petco Park, one of the worst hitter’s parks in baseball.  Almost two-thirds of his home runs last year came on the road.  This year he’ll be in Fenway, and he hits the ball with authority to left field, so he can take advantage of the Green Monster.  Playing with guys like Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia means he’ll be surrounded by a better lineup that he was with the Padres.  He should have plenty of guys on base to drive in and plenty of power hitters behind him to force pitchers to throw him something to hit.  Adrian Gonzalez is poised for a career year.  With the question marks surrounding the Yankees pitching staff, and the Rays losing a key player like Carl Crawford, the Red Sox are in a position to win the American League East, and Adrian Gonzalez will be a key reason why. 

            My pick for the National League MVP is Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals.  It’s no secret he’s the best player in baseball, so you know his numbers will be huge.  He’s also in a contract year, so he’ll be motivated.  And he’s not just motivated for a new contract, he’s got his eyes on the richest contract ever.  If he has an average year, which for him is .331 with 40 homers and 123 RBI, he’ll have a great bargaining position for a record contract.  If he has a career year, which is not out of the question at 31, team owners will almost hand him a blank, signed contract and let him fill in whatever salary he wants, for however many years he wants.  Some people are concerned that last year was his career low in batting average, but hitting .312 for a career low just shows how good he is.  The rest of his numbers were right on par for him.  Even if his average drops to .290, it’s homers and RBI that win MVP awards.  While I’m not crazy about the Cardinals lineup, and they already have some injury concerns with their pitching staff, the NL Central is not that deep.  The Reds could easily take a step backwards, and none of the other teams in the division have made any moves to get significantly better.  The Cardinals should be in contention in the NL Central, and Albert Pujols will be the guy to lead them there.