American League:
1. 3B Alex Rodriguez (Yankees): Okay, so A-Rod wouldn't be a huge surprise to take the MVP, considering he won the award just two years ago for the second time in his illustrious career. But Rodriguez struggled defensively last season and was weak enough at the plate to see a drop to number eight in the batting order during the 2006 post-season, making him prime for a big come back in 2007. This also may be his last year in pinstripes, as he will have the choice of opting out of his contract with the Yankees at the end of the season. Knowing that this could be a contract year may be enough to motivate A-Rod to 50-plus homers and 130-plus RBI. He's already started off the season as the hottest hitter in the bigs, knocking six long balls in his first seven games of 2007. Voters are sure to take a good long look at the Yankees' third baseman come October.
2. OF/DH Gary Sheffield (Tigers): Detroit already has all the pitching they need to make it deep into the post-season, but the reason they didn't win the World Championship in 2006 was a sudden drop-off in offense. Without making many other changes to the roster, Detroit traded for Sheffield and immediately made a huge impact on their lineup. Though he was injured most of last year, Sheffield is still one of the most feared hitters in the league. Though the baseball writers are supposed to disregard playoff performances in casting their votes for MVP, if Sheffield's bat leads to a championship in Detroit it's going to be hard to argue who the most valuable player in the league really is.
3. 3B Akinori Iwamura (Devil Rays): Hoping to do for Tampa Bay what Ichiro did for Seattle in 2001; that is, take over as the face of the franchise and help the team make an impact in the division. Now, the Mariners won 116 games in Ichiro's rookie year, which is highly unlikely for the Devil Rays. Iwamura shares Suzuki's sweet left-handed swing and slick fielding abilities, so I would be impressed, but not surprised to see the third baseman follow his countryman's lead by taking the Gold Glove, Rookie-of-the-Year, and MVP all in the same season.
4. C Joe Mauer (Twins): Even though his teammate Justin Morneau won the award last season, it is widely held that Mauer was really the most valuable Twin on the roster. Being the first catcher to take the batting title since 1942 really helps his cause in that regard. Everyone knows that playing backstop is the most difficult position on the field, and to prove yourself to be a force at the plate as well as behind it is truly one of the most impressive feats in baseball. If the Twins succeed as they did in 2006, I wouldn't be surprised to see the voters take notice of the Minnesota backstop as well as his teammates.
5. CF Vernon Wells (Blue Jays): Though he did just score a huge contract with Toronto, Wells remains one of the most underrated players in the game. He's right up there with Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran as far as center fielders go, but he plays in the AL East where an impact player is far more important than in the National League. Players from Boston already know better than to try to test Wells' arm on the basepaths.National League
1. SS Jose Reyes (Mets): Reyes broke out in a big way last season when he hit .300 with 81 RBI and 64 stolen bases, netting himself a handy seventh place in the MVP voting. This guy has everything; five tools, good looks, and a powerful offense behind him. He's already one of the golden boys of Shea Stadium (along with third-baseman David Wright), and looks to be an important spark at the top of the lineup for years to come. He's sure to move up in the voting in 2007.
2. 2B Chase Utley (Phillies): Offensively gifted second-baseman are few and far between, and of those Utley is clearly the best there is. He strikes out a bit too often, but more than makes up for it in RBI and runs scored. If he proves to be a bit more patient at the plate, his on-base percentage could surpass .400 and the voters will be remiss to ignore him.
3. 3B David Wright (Mets): Reyes' teammate who also turned a lot of heads in 2006. He was one of the most productive hitters in the league for the first half of the season, though he slowed down a bit down the stretch. If he can keep his bat for the full season he's capable of 35+ homers and 120 RBI, certainly MVP numbers if I've ever seen them. His quick glove at the hot corner only serves to help his cause.
4. 3B Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals): The best player on the worst team, he'll give the Nats a lot of very productive at-bats and some pretty fine defense at third. He'll face a lot of competition at the hot corner from players like Wright, Scott Rolen, and Aramis Ramirez, but if Zimmerman continues to improve in his second full season in the bigs, there's no telling what he'll be capable of.
5. C Brian McCann (Braves): Mauer's counter-part in the National League, McCann broke out as one of the best offensive catchers in the game last season by hitting .333 with 24 homeruns. No catcher has won the MVP award in the National League since Johnny Bench in 1972, but if there's a modern backstop who can do it, it's certainly McCann.
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