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The voting for the 2008 American League MVP will be one of controversy, regardless of who the eventual winner is. Will the BBWA stick to the traditional views that the winner must come from a division or wild card winner and that a pitcher, especially a relief pitcher, shouldn't be eligible to win this award? Whoever wins, there will be lots of differing and passionate opinions on both sides of these arguments.

I'll stick with who I think the two leading candidates are and examine the pros and cons for each. First though, let's look at two players who shouldn't get the award.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin was well on his way to being a leading MVP candidate until a self-inflicted broken wrist ended his season in early September. The certain comeback player of the year in the AL had carried the White Sox all season and was the major factor in Chicago leading their division for much of the season. Losing their star offensive threat should have ended the White Sox hope of a post season berth, but the team hung on to win. Quentin loses out on one of the popular criteria with BBWA voters - and that's that his team couldn't have won a playoff spot without him. Chicago proved that in fact they weren't a one man team in winning the division without him.

Single season saves record setting Angels stopper Francisco Rodriguez (62 saves) is being mentioned as an MVP candidate. But he's best suited for CY Young consideration. And given the diminishing value of the save and the seasons of Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, I'd be hard-pressed to mark Rodriguez down for first or second for the CY, much less the MVP.

The 2008 American League MVP question comes down to a choice between two players: one on a playoff team and the other on a team which just missed the playoffs. Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia and Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau are the logical choices.

I'll get right down to the nitty-gritty. Dustin Pedroia is the most deserving. Not to put down the stellar season of Morneau, but Pedroia has the stats that can't be ignored. He plays a very demanding position and carried the team when David Ortiz went down and Manny Ramirez was traded. Terry Francona even had the diminutive second baseman in the cleanup spot for a couple of key late season series, and his consistency was a catalyst for the Red Sox. Being the little guy in a league of relative giants will garner him some votes as no matter how hard we try to be objective, we, as human beings (yes some baseball writers are human) tend to root for the little guy.

Pedroia hit .326, scored 118 runs and knocked in 83. He had 322 total bases, 54 doubles and 17 home runs. Pedroia also had 213 hits. He struck out only 52 times and added 50 walks. He slugged .493. His OPS was .893. Those are big numbers, especially for a second baseman. He led the AL in runs, hits and doubles and was 4th in total bases.

Morneau had a very solid 2008. As one of the two Twins players who carry this team (Joe Mauer is the other), he hit .300, drove in 129 runs, scored 97, and had 311 total bases, while playing in all 163 Twins games. His walk to strikeout ratio was good, (76-85), and he played his usual excellent defense. His numbers are very close to his MVP season of 2006.

Pedroia and Morneau have similar numbers, so it's the intangibles that should decide who gets the hardware. Pedroia plays the more demanding position, and his team made the playoffs. So he comes out on top.