Discussion going on at work today about the Reds right fielder and his chances for winning the MVP.

 

The argument "for" him consisted of 30+ HR's, 100+ RBI's, 40+ 2B's. He's currently 3rd, 2nd and 1st in each of those respective categories, plus leads the league in extra base hits. Also, defensively, he's been as good as ever, and could have a shot at the Gold Glove for his position.

 

The argument "against" him winning it...in two of those above mentioned statistical categories (HR's and RBI's), he's behind one player (Goldschmidt - Arizona), who also has a batting average that's 35 points higher than Jay. Strikeouts are also pretty high (175 at this point), which is a knock against him.

 

I will admit, when he's "on", he's one of the best in the league. The problem is, that it seems like he has these "off" periods way too many times during the season as well. Plus, I think the rest of the team will split the vote, with Phillips, Latos, Votto and maybe even Choo, all getting some consideration for who the team MVP is, let alone the league's.

 

So, in my opinion, I just don't see it happening. The only thing that could change my mind, is if he continues this current hot streak over the next three series, and the Reds end up catching the Cardinals for the division title. The publicity around that (nationwide) could help shine the national spot light on him. But, I just don't think catching Pittsburgh for homefield in the WC is going to be enough.

 

What say you?

Could he? I mean I guess he could.

 

It would take the Reds storming from behind to claim the NL Central title, and him having a big final week and a half of the season to do it though.

Wait a minute, hold on, shut the front door.........We got a guy, making $17 million this year, and our $7.5 million dollar guy is the one for MVP, something seems wrong with this picture.

No.

Wait a minute, hold on, shut the front door.........We got a guy, making $17 million this year, and our $7.5 million dollar guy is the one for MVP, something seems wrong with this picture.

 

While I get the point you're trying to make specific to JV the size of the contract doesn't equate to "best." Mike Trout is the best Angel and he's making less than $1M. Why isn't he making Pujols money? He doesn't have any leverage ie he can't become a FA.

While I get the point you're trying to make specific to JV the size of the contract doesn't equate to "best." Mike Trout is the best Angel and he's making less than $1M. Why isn't he making Pujols money? He doesn't have any leverage ie he can't become a FA.

 

Clyde it does make my point though, isnt Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols on that team as well, the big $$$ guys and what MVP year are they having?

No silly ... don't you know that Yasiel Puig is going to be Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Young winner? You haven't been watching ESPN lately, have you?

No silly ... don't you know that Yasiel Puig is going to be Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Young winner? You haven't been watching ESPN lately, have you?

 

I know you're joking, but there really are people out there that think he should be considered....Goes to show just how unintelligent a lot of baseball fans are.

Tough question. My initial gut reaction was no; however, upon review of the numbers, I think he deserves to be mentioned.

 

There is no clear cut favorite to win the NL MVP (I'm only considering offensive players & stats).

 

Paul Goldschmidt has the best numbers, but his team is only 3 games over .500 and Arizona will miss the playoffs. The next most likely candidate is Andrew McCutchen, who will likely lead his team to the playoffs for the first time in 20+ years.

 

Paul Goldschmidt: .305 AVG, .406 OBP, 34 HR, 118 RBI, 15 SB

Jay Bruce: .270 AVG, .336 OBP, 30 HR, 103 RBI, 5 SB

Andrew McCutchen: .325 AVG, .408 OBP, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 27 SB [He's also #3 in OPS]

Adrian Gonzalez: .294 AVG, .342 OBP, 21 HR, 98 RBI, 1 SB

Allen Craig: .315 AVG, .373 OBP, 13 HR, 97 RBI, 2 SB

Matt Carpenter: .324 AVG, .395 OBP, 10 HR, 76 RBI, 3 SB [Leads league in Runs Scored by approx. 15]

Freddie Freeman: .310 AVG, .386 OBP, 21 HR, 100 RBI, 1 SB

Yasiel Puig: .336 AVG, .404 OBP, 17 HR, 39 RBI, 11 SB [Only 94 games played...also caught stealing 8 times]

 

Those are the top candidates from the best teams in the NL. Based on that list, I think McCutchen wins the NL MVP, but Bruce deserves to be in the top 3 or 4.

 

I also think Puig is clearly the "most valuable" to his team. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball (I think) since he joined and that's not a coincidence. With that said, he hasn't performed at a high enough level for long enough to warrant my MVP vote.

I also think Puig is clearly the "most valuable" to his team. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball (I think) since he joined and that's not a coincidence. With that said, he hasn't performed at a high enough level for long enough to warrant my MVP vote.

 

Yaisel Puig: 94 games - .336 avg., 17 HR, 39 RBI, .404 OBP

Hanley Ramirez: 80 games - .343 avg., 18 HR, 53 RBI, .397 OBP

 

 

You sure about that? Ramirez returned from injury right around the same time Puig joined them. The 80 game stretch that Hanley has played in gives the Dodgers the best record in baseball by far over any 80 game stretch all season.

The leading candidates IMO are McCutcheon, Goldschmidt and Freeman.

Clyde it does make my point though, isnt Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols on that team as well, the big $$$ guys and what MVP year are they having?

 

It doesn't. Your point seems to be (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that the guys paid the most should be having the best years. Not true because not every player has the same ability to negotiate.

 

Pujols/Votto/Hamilton were able to be a free agent which means that multiple teams can bid for their services. The more that bid the higher the price. No matter who the best FA is next year they're most likely not going to be better than Trout. Trout can't get into a bidding war so he has no leverage. Bruce took a long-term contract earlier than his FA so his leverage was limited as well.

Yaisel Puig: 94 games - .336 avg., 17 HR, 39 RBI, .404 OBP

Hanley Ramirez: 80 games - .343 avg., 18 HR, 53 RBI, .397 OBP

 

 

You sure about that? Ramirez returned from injury right around the same time Puig joined them. The 80 game stretch that Hanley has played in gives the Dodgers the best record in baseball by far over any 80 game stretch all season.

 

Hanley deserves a mention just like Puig. Great production in a limited # of games.

 

Both of them keyed the Dodgers resurgence but Puig created an awful lot of excitement which coincided with the Dodgers' turnaround. Was it solely Puig's doing? Obviously not.

The leading candidates IMO are McCutcheon, Goldschmidt and Freeman.

 

I agree, but a case can be made that Bruce deserves to be in the same discussion as those 3...

Hanley deserves a mention just like Puig. Great production in a limited # of games.

 

Both of them keyed the Dodgers resurgence but Puig created an awful lot of excitement which coincided with the Dodgers' turnaround. Was it solely Puig's doing? Obviously not.

 

That's my whole point though. They're both equally as responsible, but no one ever mentions Hanley. The excitement wasn't created by Puig, it was created by ESPN and the media hyping him up as the greatest player to ever play the game.