Top 5 - AL MVP Candidates

1. Manny Ramirez Red Sox
2. Gary Sheffield Yankees
3. Brian Roberts Orioles
4. Vlade Guerrero Angels
5. (tie) Johnny Damon (tie) David Ortiz Red Sox

Manny and Sheffield may be "idiot savants" but there is no denying they are the keys to the success to their teams. In Boston, Ortiz doesn't get to see many pitches to hit if Manny isn't behind him in the order and Damon doesn't score as many runs if no Manny (whose defense is vastly underrated - he leads the AL in outfield assists and nobody plays the Green Monster better). The Orioles' fast start was fueled by Roberts' fast start (if he continues to cool off he'll be out of the top 5). If Guerrero played more games - he'd be number one. No team is more dependant on a player than the Angels are on Guerrero.