Ringolsby: Pujols changes tune on MVP race

Two years ago, St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, fresh off helping his team win the World Series, was upset that he finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player voting to Ryan Howard of Philadelphia, which finished second in the National League East."Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP," said Pujols.This week, Pujols did a quick reversal when, despite playing for the fourth-place Cardinals, he won the NL MVP, and Howard, whose Phillies won the World Series, finished second, saying that the statistical accomplishments of a player have to be given heavy consideration.Usually, statistics aren't the deciding factor. Usually, the Baseball Writers Association of America writers who vote for the award put an emphasis on a team at least being in contention.There are a handful of groups that present Player of the Year awards, including the Major League Baseball Players Association, which hands out awards based on the players' vote. Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award that goes to the best offensive players in both leagues and has a weighted vote with broadcasters and analysts accounting for 70 percent and the fans the other 30 percent.The BBWAA is the only group that gives its award to the "most valuable."Pujols, in fact, was the first National League MVP from a team that finished as low as fourth place since Andre Dawson won the award with the sixth-place Cubs in 1987.INFIELD CHATTER-- The Mets have targeted Seattle closer J.J. Putz as their priority. He is signed for 2009 at $5 million with an option for 2010 at $8.6 million or a $1 million buyout, which is a lot less than the expectation of prime free-agent closers such as Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.-- Oakland and San Francisco are among the most active suitors of free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. The Athletics want to move former Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, who has battled injuries since that first season, and the Giants are looking to replace veteran Omar Vizquel.-- Baltimore, which selected Maryland native Mark Teixeira out of high school 10 years ago and had their $1 million offer rejected when he opted to attend Georgia Tech, is making another run at the first baseman as a free agent.OUT IN LEFT FIELDWitt Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia winning the AL MVP award and third baseman Kevin Youkilis finishing third, and with Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau and catcher Joe Mauer finishing second and fourth, it is the first time since 1980 that two teams had two of the top four in the voting.In 1980, Royals third baseman George Brett won the AL award and outfielder Willie Wilson finished fourth. Yankees DH Reggie Jackson was second and closer Goose Gossage third.And if that wasn't dominating enough, Yankees catcher Rick Cerone was seventh and Royals closer Dan Quisenberry eighth.THE ROTATIONPedroia became only the fifth player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards within his first two seasons. The honored:Player, Position, Team, Seasons.Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox, 2007-08.Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies, 2005-06.Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners, 2001*.Cal Ripken, SS, Orioles, 1982-83.Fred Lynn, CF, Red Sox, 1975*.*--Won rookie, MVP awards the same season.CLOSING STATEMENTA.J. Burnett has become a hot commodity on the free-agent market. After opting out of the final two years and $24 million of his contract in Toronto, not only do the Blue Jays want to re-sign him, but also the big spenders, Boston and the Yankees, are interested, along with Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia.Buyer beware.Burnett was 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA for the Blue Jays last year and led the AL with 34 starts and 231 strikeouts. It was the first time in his career, though, that he has won more than 12 games in a season and only the second time he has started as many as 30 games.His other 30-start season was 2005 with Florida when he was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA and, like this year, showed durability in a season that led to free agency.NUMBERS GAME-- 2,182: Most Valuable Player points for St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols during this decade, most of any player. Barry Bonds ranks second with 1,998 points, with Alex Rodriguez third at 1,634. Pujols won his second National League MVP this season.DIVERGENT PATHSNewly hired Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu shared catching duties his senior year at Hayward (Calif.) High School in 1981 with Jack Del Rio, coach of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.Del Rio was drafted by Toronto out of high school but opted to play football at USC and then in the NFL before becoming a coach.Wakamatsu went to Arizona State and signed with Cincinnati as an 11th-round pick in 1985.HE SAID IT"As close as we've been the last two years, I thought, 'This is where I want to be.' I enjoy playing there so much. Was there more money on the open market? I'm sure there probably was."-- Pitcher Ryan Dempster, who re-signed with the Cubs for four years and $52 million.(Tracy Ringolsby writes for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colo. E-mail ringolsbyt(at)RockyMountainNews.com.)