Young among the top candidates for MVP

Michael Young for American League Most Valuable Player? It sounds strange that Young is even in the conversation because all the Texas super utility player is doing is having his typical season. It's just that the circumstances he's playing under this season seem to have garnered Young more recognition for what he's been able to do. And rightfully so. Remember last year when Texas manager Ron Washington finished second to Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire for manager of the year honors in the AL? A lot of people thought Gardenhire got the award just for his body of work throughout his managerial career with the Twins. Maybe that's the same for Young this year. He's won a batting title in his career. He's won an All-Star Game most valuable player award. He's been to the All-Star Game seven times. He's won a Gold Glove. He's the club's all-time hits leader and has a shot at 3,000 hits. While all those numbers are impressive, Young has never finished better than eighth in the MVP voting. That came in 2004 when Young hit .313 with 22 home runs and 99 RBIs. It also marked the only time Young has ever finished in the top 10 in voting. That's certain to change this year, as Young has moved into the MVP hunt alongside the likes of New York's Curtis Granderson and Boston's Adrian Gonzalez. If I had a vote right now, I'd vote for Gonzalez but that's no slight against Young and there's still plenty of time left for things to change. Gonzalez is just having a better overall season, which should be rewarded. There's no questioning Young's value to the Rangers this year, and maybe now other people are catching on across the country. "This team has a lot of important contributors, but when other guys are a little banged up or going through their ups and downs of a season, Mike's been the game guy every day," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Consistent approach. Consistent production. That's huge over a long season." You notice how Daniels threw in the word consistent twice. That's typical Young. Young heads into the series finale against Los Angeles hitting .342, which would be a career best. But he's already had six .300 seasons in his career. His 85 RBI have him on target for just his second career 100-RBI campaign, but he's been over 90 five times in his career. While injuries have sidelined Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz, Young has played in a team high 122 games. That's also typical Young, who has played in at least 150 games eight times. Young has his detractors. There are those who think Ian Kinsler has been the team's most valuable player. Kinsler has been valuable, but he's been too inconsistent at the plate to take that honor from Young even though Kinsler had played at a Gold Glove level on defense. Young's third-base defense has also come under fire. Fans of sabermetrics are quick to point out that Young is no Beltre at third base. Tell me something I didn't know. There's a reason the Rangers signed Beltre to play third. For those of you who can't stand watching Young play third, consider your options. Where would the Rangers be if they had to rely on Omar Quintanilla and Andres Blanco to play third base for the approximately six weeks that Beltre will be out of the lineup? Maybe they are better defensively, but would that defense fill the void of what Young has provided from the cleanup spot in the order. The sabermetricians point to stats like VORP (value over replacement player) where Young ranks somewhere between Mike Napoli and Brian McCann in the majors. Imagine if the Rangers had to replace Young this year, which they almost did. The fact they didn't make a deal also points to Young's value. Remember the offseason trade demands made by Young. That alone could have derailed the season before it started. Young made sure that didn't happen the first day he showed up in Surprise for spring training. He said he wasn't going to talk about a trade anymore and was there to play baseball. And that's exactly what he's done. He's been as consistent in the clubhouse as he's been on the field. He's still the team's unofficial captain. Left-hander Derek Holland, who is having a breakout season, has been taken under Young's wing about how to be a professional. Holland could do much worse than having Young show him the way. Young isn't having the all-around season Hamilton had last year when he won the MVP. But Young could finish with more RBI than Hamilton had last season (100). It wouldn't surprise me if Young won the MVP. Six Rangers have already won the award and Young should certainly be on the short list. That list should include only a handful of players, with Young, Gonzalez, Granderson, Toronto's Jose Bautista and Detroit's Justin Verlander in the conversation. I'm still a believer that unless you've had an eye-popping season, the MVP should come from a contender. That certainly keeps Young in the picture because no one stands out. Kind of like Young.