Jockbeat: How About Teixeira for MVP?

Everybody knows that Albert Pujols is the favorite to win the 2009 National League Most Valuable Player award, but who in the American League? We took an informal poll this week of newspaper and online writers, and so far a consensus seems to be building that Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer is the most worthy. But what about the Yankees' Mark Teixeira?

It's generally conceded that first base is the least important defensive position, but does Teixeira add a new dimension that transcends that point or does it just seem that way to Yankee fans after watching Jason Giambi flail around at first?

The New York Times' Tyler Kempner makes an argument for Teixeira, but ESPN.com's Rob Neyer is skeptical. Check it out here.