I have no idea how Molina stacks up head to head with other contenders, but I've come to have a healthy respect for Yadier Molina. He seems to regularly be clutch when he's at the plate.
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Let's not forget that Jay also plays better defense. However, Ludwick does have the better wOBA (.377 vs. .360).
Additionally, I also think Bruce should get more credit than Ludwick due to the fact that he has roughly 25% more PAs and therefore has benefitted the Reds more often.
I honestly don't know who will win the MVP if it was handed out today. McCutchen did seem like a good bet, but with his team falling apart, I don't know if he would still get it.
In 1965, Twins' shortstop Zolio Versalles was the MVP in the AL. Besides leading the AL in strikeouts with 122, he hit .273 with a line of .319/.462/.781.
I was only 12-years-old but felt the Saturday Game of the Week announcers started the ball rolling by campaigning for him. Tony Oliva, Harmon Killebrew, and others had better statistics and were also were also deserving that season.
It's a real longshot, but if Cueto ends up finishing strong with a low 2.00 ERA and 20 wins does he throw himself in the mix too?
An Olney or a Heyman type guy will probably end up deciding this thing anyway. One column in mid-September will snowball into media momentum and determine the winner, should no one clearly separate themselves.
It's Posey for me today, with Wright a close second. McCutchen wouLd have to have quite the September to change my mind.
While Ludwick has definitely helped this team immensely (don't get me wrong, he is a big part of this successful season); but if you look at his, as well as Bruce's, pre-AS/post-AS numbers, and while both have had their "streaks", Bruce has been more "quietly" consistent then Ryan.
Bruce leads the team in Runs (77), RBI (87), TB (244), and HR (29).
I don't know if Bruce should be in the consideration for NL MVP..... but he should as far the team goes.