2012 - AL MVP Early Projection/Talk

[John_Brian_K]

I know everyone probably thinks the same thing or at least close to the same thing, but we have a guy on this team who year in and year out is in the race for AL MVP every year and most likely should have won at least one so far.

Too early to open discussion about this years front runners?

I was going to capture a good graphic somewhere to post so everything was right in front of us, but I could not find anything useful besides the WAR stat on ESPN. Anyone have a link to a good graphic to show some important stats for the AL MVP? If so link it and I will screen cap it and post it for all to see to start us the discussion.

[tigerkid23]

If the season ended today, I would probably have Cabrera a very close second to Mike Trout. Trout has just been unreal on both sides of the ball since his call up - not to mention, his base running. A lot of time left though and Cabrera doesn't look like he's ready to concede the award quite yet. The playoff picture could play a big role too.

[John_Brian_K]

If the season ended today, I would probably have Cabrera a very close second to Mike Trout. Trout has just been unreal on both sides of the ball since his call up - not to mention, his base running. A lot of time left though and Cabrera doesn't look like he's ready to concede the award quite yet. The playoff picture could play a big role too.

Trout is REALLY good. I have not really been watching him play everyday, but I see all the high lights. I am just expecting him to regress a little and for Miggy to be....well Miggy and end with solid numbers. Trouts obvious defensive + may be the contributing factor.

It is not like the actual time he spent on the field (a month or so less than Cabby I believe) will matter...look what happened back in 2010 when Hamilton missed the last month of the year and still got the award.

[ben9753]

If the season ended today, I would probably have Cabrera a very close second to Mike Trout. Trout has just been unreal on both sides of the ball since his call up - not to mention, his base running. A lot of time left though and Cabrera doesn't look like he's ready to concede the award quite yet. The playoff picture could play a big role too.

Awards are voted on before the playoffs. The playoffs have their own awards.

[tigerkid23]

Awards are voted on before the playoffs. The playoffs have their own awards.

I understand that. When I said playoff picture, I was referring to how the standings look after game 162.

[ben9753]

I understand that. When I said playoff picture, I was referring to how the standings look after game 162.

Gotcha. If the BoSox don't collapse last year, Ellsbury walks away with the award most likely.

[Antrat]

If the Tigers make the playoffs and Miggy doesn't win it, I will be mildly upset for a few minutes and then get over it.

[ben9753]

I think MVP awards are important for player's long term legacy. For example, I think Verlander winning MVP may be huge when it comes time for HOF voting. Even though we all think he'll be a shoo in, it's very possible he will be a borderline HOF candidate when the time comes, and the MVP may be the difference. For example, if Smoltz had won an MVP, I think he would definitely get in, but now I'm not so sure he will.

[John_Brian_K]

I think MVP awards are important for player's long term legacy. For example, I think Verlander winning MVP may be huge when it comes time for HOF voting. Even though we all think he'll be a shop in, it's very possible he will be a borderline HOF candidate when the time comes, and the MVP may be the difference. For example, if Smoltz had won an MVP, I think he would definitely get in, but now I'm not so sure he will.

Yeah this is kind of how I look at it as well. Alot of the die hards on here hate the award or find it overblown (which I partially agree with), but when it comes to the HOF or having your guy win it...it is pretty important.

[Nastradamus]

You gotta give it to Trout at this point. I love Cabrera but Trout has been unreal and his D and baserunning give him the edge.

[John_Brian_K]

You gotta give it to Trout at this point. I love Cabrera but Trout has been unreal and his D and baserunning give him the edge.

It is close IMO....Trout has the speed and defense and Miggy has the RBI and HR's.

Trout:
2012 League Ranks:
• 1st in AL in BA (.346)
• 1st in AL in R (87)
• 1st in AL in SB (36)
• 2nd in AL in SLG (.601)
• 2nd in AL in OPS (1.009)

Cabby:
2012 League Ranks:
• 2nd in AL in BA (.326)
• 2nd in AL in HR (29)
• 1st in AL in RBI (95)
• 4th in AL in R (73)
• 3rd in AL in SLG (.592)
• 3rd in AL in OPS (.978)

[ben9753]

An extra month of playing time has to count for something, doesn't it? And I don't think Hamilton should've won when he missed a month.

[Nastradamus]

maybe so, but it also makes it a bit more impressive that he's been worth 2 more wins this year than Cabrera. Now, Cabrera is a tough guy to sum up in WAR, but it does go to show how impressive and productive Trout has been. If its dead even, the month difference could be the difference, but it should not eliminate Trout from the race, that's pretty extreme IMO. Like Kurkjian said on ESPN today, they had the league's worst record without Trout, the best since he got to the majors. That's impressive.

[John_Brian_K]

Miggys MVP finishes:

2011 5th
2010 2nd
2009 4th
2008 13th
2007 15th -in the NL
2006 5th -in the NL
2005 5th -in the NL
2004 22nd -in the NL
2003 27th -in the NL

And FTR the 03 and 04 campaign had Bonds doing AMAZING/Ungodly things on the baseball field never seen before.

a 2nd, 3-5th's and a 4th in the last 7 years...pretty good stuff, but I want him to win it one of these years.

[Antrat]

Poor Miggy.
Seems there is always someone different having a great year and he just does the same awesomeness every year and gets overlooked.
If it's close and the Tigers make the playoffs and the Angels don't, Miggy deserves it.