1/4 Mark NL and AL MVPs

[nate]

Percentages of runs batted in doesn't mean much in terms of being most valuable.

I think it's a better way of measuring the individual contribution outside of one's position in the batting order.

Actual runs driven in, the counting stat are what matters.

RBI's might not correlate to skill, but they sure as heck are valuable.

The "Runs" portion of "RBI" is the valuable part.

[nate]

Where would we be in the division without BP driving in all those runs? It works both ways, and all three deserve credit.

BP hits others in 21.6% of the time (134/29) which is good. Allen Craig does it 26.4% of the time (106/28.) Do you think if Craig had BP's opportunities, he'd convert at least four more baserunners to runs?

I mean, if one believes that driving in runs is a skill separate from hitting, doesn't it mean something that Craig converts 6% more of his opportunities than BP?

[New York Red]

BP hits others in 21.6% of the time (134/29) which is good. Allen Craig does it 26.4% of the time (106/28.) Do you think if Craig had BP's opportunities, he'd convert at least four more baserunners to runs?

I mean, if one believes that driving in runs is a skill separate from hitting, doesn't it mean something that Craig converts 6% more of his opportunities than BP?

Sorry, but I can't put much stock into any formula that concludes a slick fielding 2nd Baseman with 130+ RBI's isn't an MVP candidate.

[757690]

BP hits others in 21.6% of the time (134/29) which is good. Allen Craig does it 26.4% of the time (106/28.) Do you think if Craig had BP's opportunities, he'd convert at least four more baserunners to runs?

I mean, if one believes that driving in runs is a skill separate from hitting, doesn't it mean something that Craig converts 6% more of his opportunities than BP?

If Craig was a gold glove 2B, he absolutely belongs in the MVP discussion. But he's a lousy fielding 1B, so he doesn't.

[RadfordVA]

Miguel Cabrera AL

Buster Posey NL

Looks familiar but I believe they are that good and that valuable to their teams. Both are the best hitters on division leading teams.

[remdog]

I don't know whether Brandon belongs in the conversation for MVP but unless he falls off a cliff and breaks a leg, I'll bet he doesn't get snubbed for the All-Star team this year.

Rem

[dougdirt]

Remember, it's most valuable player, not the best player. Phillips absolutely belongs in the conversation at this point. And I'd include Harper before I included Braun.

There is no argument in which the best player isn't also more valuable than everyone else.

[Homer Bailey]

Votto's in the conversation, but DatDude isn't? Do any Reds fans think Joey has had a better first quarter than BP has? I'm not knocking Joey, as he's doing what Joey does, but BP has been outstanding. OPS isn't the be all-end all of stats. Might as well give the MVP every year to the guy who walks the most. I realize my thinking is somewhat old school, and even antiquated in this day and age, but a 2nd Bagger who knocks in 130+ runs and is defensively superior to everyone else at his position, is a serious MVP candidate, IMO.

A million times yes. It's not even close. Better Avg, OBP, SLG, and leads him in wOBA by a MILE.

[KYRedLeg]

Looking at who has simply meant the most to their team, I'd have to give Choo very strong consideration.

[RedsManRick]

Carlos Gomez and Evan Longoria.

Gomez has the 2nd highest wOBA in the NL (behind Choo) and is a plus defensive CF.

The AL is much closer, but I went with Longo as the best combined value in terms of offense and defense. Trout and Machado are right there in that argument and Cabrera's bat certainly has him in the conversation too.

[westofyou]

Sorry, but I can't put much stock into any formula that concludes a slick fielding 2nd Baseman with 130+ RBI's isn't an MVP candidate.

With a sub .290 BA, a .330 OB% and a .470 slg%??

Andre Dawson is often derided for winning the 1987 MVP with this line:

.287/.328/.568/.896

Jimmy Rollins for this:

.296/.344/.531/.875

Phillips doesn't even make the top ten at this juncture, and that doesn't color his game poorly at all.

[757690]

A million times yes. It's not even close. Better Avg, OBP, SLG, and leads him in wOBA by a MILE.

The game is also about preventing runs. Unlike the wimpy NFL, MLB demands that it's position players play both offense and defense.

Still think Votto is more valuable, but when you toss in defense (and base running), it's pretty close.

[New York Red]

With a sub .290 BA, a .330 OB% and a .470 slg%??

Andre Dawson is often derided for winning the 1987 MVP with this line:

.287/.328/.568/.896

Jimmy Rollins for this:

.296/.344/.531/.875

Phillips doesn't even make the top ten at this juncture, and that doesn't color his game poorly at all.

This kind of thinking is why I will never ever ever completely make the transition to the sabremetrics world. When the best fielding second baseman in the game, on pace for 130+ RBI, isn't considering a top ten MVP candidate, something is seriously flawed with the system.

For the record, Dawson and Rollins won because there weren't any better candidates those years. Sometimes it happens that way.

[New York Red]

A million times yes. It's not even close. Better Avg, OBP, SLG, and leads him in wOBA by a MILE.

You should have just said "Joey has more walks".

[RedsManRick]

Why not? He leads the league in RBI (on pace for about 135) and he's the best 2nd Baseman in the game. How is he not at least on the list?

1) Because there's A LOT more to offensive production than RBI.

2) RBI? If that's your criteria for MVP, it's probably not worth having an argument with those of us who are more sabermetrically inclined.

3) No, he's not. He's easily behind Cano, Pedroia and Kinsler. And this year he's comparable to Matt Carpenter, Jose Altuve, Marco Scutaro, etc. Though probably not from your perspective....