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AL MVP Race

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MLB released their MVP power rankings today and here's their AL contenders, in order:

  1. Mike Trout
  2. Shane Bieber
  3. Nelson Cruz
  4. Tim Anderson
  5. Jose Abreu

Am I the only one who has issues with the top two - specifically because they make no sense when paired at the top.

You can only give it to Trout if he's getting it for being the best hitter in the league, for which we already have the Hank Aaron award. In past years, sure, he can miss the postseason and win the award, but now that 8 teams are making it and the Angels don't, it's hard to see him rack up MVPs and not sneak into the playoffs, even if it's not his fault.

On the flip side, Bieber is way, way more deserving if we're making it an all-around award, because he's keeping the Indians in the race. But voters seem to be docking pitchers due to the existence of the Cy Young. So if it's an award for batters (the Trout argument), shouldn't it go to one of the three guys putting their team in postseason contention?

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  • Hopefully Cruz gets docked points for being a roider. If the sox win the division, i'd imagine TA or Abreu win it. Lots of baseball left though.

  • Controversial opinion but that Gehrig guy was pretty good.

  • Remember when everyone was pissed that Abreu was extended?

Hopefully Cruz gets docked points for being a roider. If the sox win the division, i'd imagine TA or Abreu win it. Lots of baseball left though.

Edited by Yearnin' for Yermin

3 minutes ago, Yearnin' for Yermin said:

Hopefully Cruz gets docked points for being a roider. If the sox win the division, i'd imagine TA or Abreu win it. Lots of baseball left though.

If Abreu wins MVP will you ixnay on the ashingbay? 

If the Sox make the playoffs and Jose doesn't fall off the map the rest of the regular season and wind up at .250 or something, I think he'll get it as a lifetime good person/player achievement award. Nobody knows if Jose is going to keep bashing or taper off with a 1 for 30 or something. TA could get it too for his being a young star.

Edited by greg775

There's no way Abreu is the 5th most valuable player in baseball this year

It still amazes me how little love Jose and this team gets nationally (Even this division especially from the coasts). So that being said, Jose is going to have to go out and keep doing what he's been doing. Contend in rbis, hrs, and extend that 22 game hitting streak to 39. (39 because there's 17 games left)

Edited by smellysox

It'd be funny if they gave it to Trout when his teammate has been better.

Jose has been very good but I don't expect him to win or anything. He should get some 3rd or 4th place votes.

Id have jose number 1.  I dont have too much of a problem with the list as those would be my top 5 guys also, just not in the same order.

Timmy and jose are going to cannibalize each other in the voting though so i dont expect either to win it.  If i was betting money, id put it on cruz to win

1 hour ago, Tony said:

Not in baseball, just in the American League.....

tenor.gif?itemid=12724953

That's my point. He's easily the in the 5 most valuable players in all of baseball, yet alone the AL alone

Trout has this locked up until he's no longer the best player in baseball. They could've given him every AL MVP from 2013-2020 and nobody would have complained. 

Maybe I’m crazy, but I think it’s Abreu’s award to lose as of today. 

I'd give it to Robert based solely on that catch last Saturday night. :P

Abreu is absolutely the MVP right now. At worst, he and Tim will split votes possibly dropping him but he at worst top 3. Just a terrible list.

I would disagree but Abreu's defense has been something to behold....well except for the random dropping of the ball.

Oddly Abreu and Anderson could be the 4th and 5th best position on the team next year with no drop off in their game

 

 

4 hours ago, Quin said:

MLB released their MVP power rankings today and here's their AL contenders, in order:

  1. Mike Trout
  2. Shane Bieber
  3. Nelson Cruz
  4. Tim Anderson
  5. Jose Abreu

Am I the only one who has issues with the top two - specifically because they make no sense when paired at the top.

You can only give it to Trout if he's getting it for being the best hitter in the league, for which we already have the Hank Aaron award. In past years, sure, he can miss the postseason and win the award, but now that 8 teams are making it and the Angels don't, it's hard to see him rack up MVPs and not sneak into the playoffs, even if it's not his fault.

On the flip side, Bieber is way, way more deserving if we're making it an all-around award, because he's keeping the Indians in the race. But voters seem to be docking pitchers due to the existence of the Cy Young. So if it's an award for batters (the Trout argument), shouldn't it go to one of the three guys putting their team in postseason contention?

I have no problem with your cromulent logic .

I'd prefer a White Sox player (Abreu, Anderson, Robert, Keuchel, Giolito) win the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

Of the three primary contenders, Bieber's contribution is single-handidly keeping Cleveland in it, Abreu's support will be watered down with votes going to other White Sox. Joe Maddon's Angels are worse than Brad Ausmus', between that and Trout's WAR not sure why he is considered the position player favorite beyond reputation.

One last comment. The biggest loss in run differential would be the loss of Robert, primarily because of the defense he provides and the major hole he is asked to cover. Anderson would be the next most difficult to replace. The offense drops off significantly without Abreu, but the Sox have a players at least who can man his position. I think there is a possibility Eloy Jimenez would suffer a tragic accident if he didn't have Robert to cover his position to the extent he does. 

Pitchers have their own award. Hate the MVP going to a pitcher.

Bieber deserves it hands down. His WAR is almost 3 times higher than Trouts. TA is a close second IMO. I love JA too, but

Timmy does it in the field as well as at the plate. I understand about separate awards, but once in a while a pitcher

dominates the game.

Edited by zisk
add

#TA74MVP

Edited by Look at Ray Ray Run

4 minutes ago, zisk said:

Bieber deserves it hands down. His WAR is almost 3 times higher than Trouts. TA is a close second IMO. I love JA too, but

Timmy does it in the field as well as at the plate. I understand about separate awards, but once in a while a pitcher

dominates the game.

A huge part about being an elite starter is throwing 220 innings and making 30+ starts. There are plenty of starters in baseball history who have completely dominated 10 game stretches. 

Edited by Look at Ray Ray Run

12 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

A huge part about being an elite starter is throwing 220 innings and making 30+ starts. There are plenty of starters in baseball history who have completely dominated 10 game stretches. 

A valid point. If Bieber continues this for every start though, it couldn't be ignored. He's putting up 1968 Bob Gibson numbers in a lively ball age.

16 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

A huge part about being an elite starter is throwing 220 innings and making 30+ starts. There are plenty of starters in baseball history who have completely dominated 10 game stretches. 

Not that I disagree with you but there are also hitters who tear the cover off the baseball for 2 months. Just playin Devils advocate, you can argue that both ways.

Just now, DoUEvenShift said:

Not that I disagree with you but there are also hitters who tear the cover off the baseball for 2 months. Just playin Devils advocate, you can argue that both ways.

a player being good everyday for 2 months is more significant than a pitcher being good for 2 weeks worth of games. 

imo as I said above i think the most valuable thing about an elite starter is the work load. without it, i just think giving the pitcher that award is awful. i hate it with a full season though too.

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