Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz found himself in a defensive position last week after some fairly harmless quotes about the Yankees' Derek Jeter were perceived as disrespectful and turned into a major controversy.

Ortiz essentially said that power hitters should have the edge over average hitters in the race for MVP each year. He didn't lobby for himself to win the award, but he did say that if he were voting, guys like Jeter and Joe Mauer of the Twins — both outstanding hitters — would receive less consideration because they don't produce as many runs.

Nothing Ortiz said was truly offensive. That said, I don't agree with him. If I had a vote, Jeter would be my MVP.

And I'd be a phony or a homer if I said otherwise. Last year I complained that Ortiz was robbed (to paraphrase Kanye West, he's the only player to get robbed and keep all his jewelry). Ortiz was far and away the most valuable player in the American League last year. He had huge numbers and produced one clutch hit after another all season.

Ortiz has been at it again this year. He remains the most clutch hitter in the league, and entering Friday he had league-highs of 48 homers and 128 RBIs.

But while Ortiz was beaten by a compiler of meaningless numbers last year (Alex Rodriguez), Jeter is having a phenomenal year, big hits and all. We all know he's the leader of the Yankees, and when his team swept a pivotal five-game series from the Red Sox last month, Jeter

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had two of the biggest hits of the weekend.

Jeter's also pushing .350, he's stolen 30 bases, scored more than 100 runs and will knock in at least 100 out of the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Yes, the Yankees' incredible lineup helps take the focus away from him, but I truly believe he's the least expendable position player on the roster, in part because of what he brings off the field.

Ortiz has certainly had a great year, and he should and will receive some consideration. But it's hard to believe anyone from a team that has collapsed like the Red Sox will get enough votes to win MVP. If he does, I'll feel like some justice was served after last year's mess, but in fairness, Jeter deserves that award.

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(Jeers) To the National League. I happen to be pulling for the Mets this season, hoping they make a nice run in the playoffs. But they're threatening to win 100 games and they ran away from the NL East in late April, even with their ace, Pedro Martinez, missing over a month, without a strong No. 3 starter, and with 13 different starting pitchers throughout the season.

Other than the Mets, no team in the league is 10 games over .500. And it's not because all the teams are solid and have beaten each other up all season. They just stink. If you put the Angels, White Sox and Red Sox — three teams currently out of the AL playoffs — into the National League, they'd comprise 75 percent of that league's postseason.

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(Jeers) To Drew Bledsoe. I'm sure there are some Cowboys fans in the area, and you have to admit that your team is going nowhere as long as Bledsoe is the starting quarterback. At his best, Bledsoe was very good, but not great. Now? He's just not so good. He can still throw the ball, but unless he's surrounded by the offense of the 1989 49ers, he's not going to be effective enough to make the Cowboys a contender.

Contact Chris Casavant at c.casavant@yahoo.com