This might be a good time to take a step back. As I understand it, the baseball writers choose the MVP based on that ballplayer's "overall contribution" to a team's success. My point is that whether the team finishes in 1st or 3rd shouldn't necessarily be the deciding factor in making the choice.
<A personal note> While I've been a "John Q. Average" fan of baseball for many years, I'm not a fan of any particular team. I'm just one of many who simply enjoys good well played baseball - no matter which team. Being this kind of fan makes objectivity fairly easy. (Certainly less stressful, too.) But needless to say, it doesn't guarantee having all the right answers, either. Anyway, with that in mind, I really have to wonder... if A-Rod had been signed by the Red Sox when they had the chance, and if he was at SS right about now instead of Rentaria, would he still be receiving all the criticism many Sox fans lay on him? I think not.
On a lighter note. Today happens to mark the anniversary of "the catch" made by Willie Mays off Vic Wertz back in the '54 WS. I happened to catch it live on tv when I was a kid, and it was/is one of those baseball moments you never forget. I'm guessin' most baseball fans who were around at that time would probably agree.