The Captain

.315/.384/.450 (avg/obp/slg). These numbers seem good, not eye popping or "MVP" worthy. A .450 slugging percentage is a bit low but lets face it Derek Jeter is not important because he hits for power. What Derek Jeter has done with his .315 batting average is what pushes him into MVP talks in my book. He is hitting .375/.435/.518/.953 (OPS) in situations described as “Close and Late”, and his highest BA comes in games that have a difference of one run or less. Now THOSE are eye popping numbers. He has stolen 20 bases and only been caught 4 times, a VERY high percentage. His is having one of his best fielding years of his career thanks to work with first base coach Mick Kelleher. Kelleher has said that he worked with the captain on his routes to the ball and taking them at a steeper angle, vastly improving his range. The most important part of this is that Jeter is doing this not just for a contending team but for the team with the best record in baseball. He was snubbed in 2006 and with a good strong push to the finish line I think he should be included in everyone's MVP talks.

Not to mention he's the captain and he hasn't won an MVP yet, he deserves it on respect alone.