I hope this isn't watering down the debate, but your post triggered something in my brain. MVP Award vs Player of the Year.
Player of the Year = Best stats of the current MLB season
MVP = The player that helped elevate his team regardless of playoff success
So, basically a player who statistically belongs in the HoF vs one who had excellent stats but also represented MLB in an exemplary manor
(Yes, I realize the HoF is filled with d-bags, but there are also ones who were voted in with marginal HoF stats but the media liked them)