by Tom KrasovicFiled under: Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Rockies, White Sox, NL West
The more I learn about Aubrey Huff's season, the higher the red-thonged, San Francisco Giants slugger goes on my MVP ballot.Huff may not crack my top three, but his bat, versatility and goofy, if sartorially icky leadership, deserve extra recognition. Huff moved from first to left, which allowed Buster Posey's bat to beef up a weak lineup, and his move to right brought Pat Burrell's suddenly live bat into play.
San Francisco's large, wind-buffeted outfield can make buffoons of able outfielders, but Huff fared OK in both left and right. Best of all, because he coped with a home ballpark that cows many lefty hitters, Huff has been invaluable to the team's right-leaning offense.
o. Giants GM Brian Sabean's first call of the offseason should be to White Sox GM Kenny Williams. When an NL West GM lusts to move a bloated salary, Williams is the guy to call -- witness his recent trades for Jake Peavy, Juan Pierre, Edwin Jackson and Manny Ramirez -- so maybe the Stanford man will further aid Western baseball and take on some of the $24 million due Aaron Rowand.
A return to Flyover Land should help Rowand, who began his career with the Sox and had a big year for them in 2004. Rowand has below average speed for a center fielder, so leaving behind the NL West's big ballparks might do him good.
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