Well, in the time period I was talking about, when the Jeter's the Clutchest Hitter of All-Time train was just leaving the station, there's no question Nomar was the better shortstop (Tejada, you're right, now that I look back at it). From '98-'02, Garciaparra had an OPS of .961 (142 OPS+), which I would imagine has to be one of the most underappreciated 5 year periods for any shortstop ever, due to the fact that ARod was still easily eclipsing him. During that time he hit 111 homers, had 189 doubles and drove in 450. And he missed basically all of 2001. Jeter, over the same period, playing five full seasons to Nomar's 4 1/5, had a dozen fewer homers, less doubles, drove in less runs, and had an OPS above Garciaparra's 5-yr. average once (and an OPS+ 14 points lower). I don't care what the fielding comparisons were, Jeter was clearly an inferior player at the time. He just happened to reside on one of the all-time juggernauts of a team and add to his ring collection over that period while Nomar was with the still snakebitten Bosox. Those weren't anomalous years for Jeter, either. He's been remarkably consistent throughout his career, in fact.
I certainly won't disagree with you on the overall A.L. MVP commentary (Twins fan here).
Unless the definition of "value" is set in such a way as to essentially disqualify players on teams who don't make the playoffs due to no fault of their own, there's just no way to argue Mauer's value this season is less than that of any other player in the league, and by a wide margin. Anyone think the Twins, if they could go back to the beginning of the season, would trade Mauer for Texeira? The fact they have Morneau may at first glance appear to make it an invalid question, but in fact it proves the point even more.