Victor Martinez a Finalist for the MVP Award

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) celebrates after scoring against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Victor Martinez is one of three players who are a finalist for the MVP award in the American League.  The other two are Mike Trout and Michael Brantley from the Angels and the Indians.  While the Sabermetric fans have been trying to give Mike Trout the MVP award the last two years, the award is given by the Baseball Writers Association who vote based on real stats not science.  Victor Martinez had a career year with a .335 batting average, 32 home runs, 103 runs batted in, and 87 runs scored.

While I believe the sabermetric people are finally going to get their wish, I believe Victor had as good a year as anyone in the Majors this year and is more than deserving to win the MVP award.  He carried the Tigers this season while Miquel Cabrera had a down year due to injuries.

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Especially after the trade that got the Tigers David Price but lost Austin Jackson Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez carried the Tigers and were the main reason they won the Central Division for the Fourth year in a row.

The problem for me is that it is hard to quantify how important defense is in an MVP award race because you can add up their stats. However when it comes to the MVP award the best defensive players who do not hit are not considered.  Billy Hamilton from the Cincinnati Reds is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game but since he does not provide a lot offensively he will never be considered for the MVP award.

So while it is great the sabermetric people are trying to include defense into the MVP award discussion it has never been that important and should not put someone over the top especially in the American League where you have the designated hitter.  If your going to have separate rules for the American and National Leagues you cannot completely rule out a position for an award simply because they do not play defense.  In my opinion Victor Martinez should win the MVP award this year.