Originally Posted by DVPGSR
His argument is to just look at offensive stats and that's that. This quote below he may believe is right and may have been accurate in some past MVP choices, but it is not the case w/ A-Rod. A-Rod had an amazing defensive year. I am not saying hold that against Ortiz, but it should be something that is looked at above and beyond A-Rod's offensive numbers.
Half the players at a given position are above average. Half are below average. If you're below average, your defense — as measured against the rest of the league — is hurting your team. Manny Ramirez's defense ranges from serviceable to indifferent to atrocious. One thing it never is: above average. Yet if he won a Triple Crown, his defense would not be held against him. Merely walking out onto the field every day earns MVP candidates a check in the defense box.
This quote about defense not playing a part in offensive numbers is correct. But to say that defense doesn't count then makes the MVP to the MVB (Most valuable batter).