The fact that there's even an argument about the MVP proves how big the anti-Rodriguez sentiment has become among sportswriters.
A-Rod's batting average is over 20 points higher. He has the same number of homeruns, despite playing his home games in a park less condusive to them than Fenway. He has a very comfortable lead in OPS(infact, based on OPS, Ortiz isn't even the second-best hitter in the AL; Travis Hafner is). He's also stolen 20 bases this year.
Then, of course, there's the fact that Alex Rodriguez not only plays in the field every day, but has played Gold Glove-caliber defense at a key defensive position(the only reason he probably won't win it is because Hank Blalock has quietly one of the best defensive seasons at third base in nearly a decade).
