Aaron Judge's MVP path must run through Boston and Cleveland - and decades of opposition

Lately, it's "settled law" to say  Aaron Judge leads in the fantasy race for AL MVP.

Certainly, he's on the red carpet shortlist, if not the favorite in Vegas. Judge leads all of baseball in HRs, by six, and he's fourth in RBIs - this, while playing CF on a team in a magical run. 

Every Yank fan knows that, without Judge, we'd be wallowing in a wild card race. He's the face of the team, the closest thing we've had to Jeter since - well - Jeter. Also, he was cheated out of his Oscar in 2017, when Lil Jose Altuve stole the plaque. (And to those who suggest we stop booing Altuve, trying to short-circuit his adrenaline? I say, NEVAH!) 

But if the season ended today, I'm not sure Judge takes the MVP. Why?

1. Rafael Devers. Look at those fucking numbers: .333 with 17 HRs, while playing 3B. Moreover, this isn't an anomaly. It's a regular Rafael Devers season. 

Whenever somebody says Judge holds all the cards in next winter's contract negotiations, just remember that Devers' pact ends in 2023. He's four years younger than Judge and bats LH, a perfect fit in Yankee Stadium. Of course, Boston will sell the family Bitcoin stash to keep Devers, but if Judge runs home to California, the Yankees would have a $300 million hole in their pants. 

2. Jose Ramirez. Look at those fucking numbers: .300 with 63 RBIs, most in the league, by far. He also plays 3B and exists in relative obscurity, also known as Cleveland. He'll be an Indian Guardian through 2028. 

3. The secret, anti-Yankee, pedophilia cabal within the Gammonites, many of whom believe that NY players always receive too much attention, so they temper their votes accordingly. That's why Altuve won in 2017.  It's why Roger Maris isn't in the Hall. It's why Bernie Williams might as well give up. The writers bemoan all that ink and ether they are forced to heap upon rich and ungrateful NY players, so when winter comes, they draw great pleasure screwing Ron Guidry in favor of Jim Rice. 

4. The argument that Yankee votes should also be split between Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, whose presences boost Judge's numbers. (Note: The same case can be argued about Devers with Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez, but it won't be. Everyone knows that Boston players are undervalued and don't receive enough attention, as they play for a beloved franchise whose fan base has suffered so mightily through the years. Someday, these lovable underdogs will win a world series, rewarding the faithful who have so bravely withstood the decades of pain. I'm tearing up, just thinking of their plight.)  

Of course, this is a parlor game. There is no MVP for July 1. As usual, the juju gods will decide. Last week, Bryce Harper was rolling toward his second straight MVP. Not anymore. Saturday, he broke his thumb on a bean ball. (In 2019, when Harper came to NYC, looking for a contract, Food Stamps Hal practically hid under the bed, rather than take out his checkbook. Just sayin...')  

It's a long haul to October's red carpet. We must root for Judge. But don't assume anything.