I'm reading this article by Stark and while I agree with many of his decisions here, I can't put McCutchen as mvp. Votto is clearly the best hitter in the game right now and where would the Reds be without him? It amazes me that McCutchen is winning in the Sports Nation poll by a wide margin as well. I guess people like the feel good story rather than what is realistic.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/81...dseason-awards
He won't be when they finish 10 games under .500.
Originally Posted by Scooter
Wishful thinking but I don't see them going 30-50 over the 2nd half of the season even though they are overachieving on the pythag and lights out in close games. They fell apart last year, but this is a better team that is continuing a nice progression.
57 wins in 2010
72 wins in 2011
8x wins in 2012
And take a look at their 2nd half schedule too. They've got 35 of the 77 remaining games with teams that are under .500. They've got 13 games left vs the Cubs, and 10 vs Houston.
And while McCutchen is having an MVP year, lets not forget what a nifty off-season acquisition of a pitcher named A.J. (9-2, 3.74 ERA) has done to bolster this rotation that also includes McDonald (9-3, 2.37 ERA). And their BP is solid, with a league leading 2.65 ERA, 29 saves (2nd).
You look at this team on paper, especially offensively, and it has people wondering when is the bottom going to fall out because historically it has at some point in the second half. I'm not so sure this season.
There is about 20 of us from work going Saturday, Aug 4th vs the Pirates. One who will be attending is not a fan of baseball at all, and knows nothing about the game. He's totally NFL (Steelers) and NBA. Though born and raised in Ohio he hates all Ohio sports teams, thinks they're all losers, and loves to play the antagonist with anyone who is a fan of them. Why? Simply because he's so full of himself, has the mouth to go with it, and really takes joy in being that irritant. I totally ignore him, and that bothers him. So I think that's why, since the Pirates beat us up pretty good head-to-head last season, and are doing good this year .... he's decided to go after any Red fans in the work area. Simply to be that A-hole. He says he wants to sit next to me at the game, but I told him there ain't no way (I'll be there with my kids), knowing his intentions, that will happen since I purchased the tickets and will control who sits where. So if you're watching the game that day, and see a huge commotion in section 416 (around 3B), that's the rest of us beating the crap out of this guy! LOL
Last edited by GAC; 07-08-2012 at 07:38 AM.
"In my day you had musicians who experimented with drugs. Now it's druggies experimenting with music" - Alfred G Clark (circa 1972)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...tto/index.html
NL MVP
1. Joey Votto, Reds
2. Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
3. David Wright, Mets
4. Ryan Braun, Brewers
5. Melky Cabrera, Giants
6. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
7. Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
8. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
9. Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
10. R.A. Dickey, Mets
Verducci's list seems more logical.
I can definitely see why McCutcheon is being listed very high in the MVP list. Look very closely at his numbers and Joey's. Mac is having a career year, his Pirates are the feel good story of the summer, he plays a more critical defensive position and I feel he has been every bit as important to the Pirates or more so than Votto has been to the Reds in driving both teams pretty much 1 weapon offenses. Just because I'm a Reds and Votto fan doesn't mean I can't see the validity of McCutcheon's argument. In fact if the season ended today I'd vote for Andrew! But there's this funny marathon thing about baseball and its just July 6th and there is a lot of baseball left. Mac and the Pirates were in this position later than this last season and dropped like a bomb once August got going. Let's re-examine this the first week in October.
Last edited by RedlegJake; 07-06-2012 at 03:10 PM.
Right now I would likely pick McCutheon as his Pirates are leading.
Votto beat Pujols in 2010 for largley the same reason.
I'm surprised by this line of thinking Puffy. I tend to agree with you 90+% of the time, but I don't consider the standings when I consider who the most valuable player is. That person so far has been Votto. It's not absurd to consider AM as the MVP, I just don't think he does anything better than Votto does, other than stealing bases.
We don't agree much Homer, but I agree with you 100% here. Convergence of the universe maybe?
I can't overlook a player thats having arguably the best year of any player since Pujols 2008 season. Votto is clearly the best player this year. Just as Pujols won it in 2008 despite his team not making the playoffs, so too should Votto even if the Reds aren't in 1st. I don't think standings should have anything to do with it if the player is having arguably one of the best years of any player (outside of a roided Bonds) in a decade or so.
If you agree with me, then I know I'm wrong!
For the record, I said the same thing in 2010. I thought Votto deserved to win over Pujols, but it should not have been the margin that it was.
Yeah I agree. I know that Strauss of the STL Post Dispatch got a lot of flack for being the only Pujols vote but I didn't think it was as clear cut of a choice as the voters made it out to be. Pujols actually had a better WAR than Votto did that year.If you agree with me, then I know I'm wrong!
For the record, I said the same thing in 2010. I thought Votto deserved to win over Pujols, but it should not have been the margin that it was.
McCutheon plays a premium defensive postion at an elite level with trumps Votto's elite fielding 1B.
McCutheon's hitting is certainly in the ballpark with Votto.
When elite players are close, the fact they have led their team into the playoffs is the deciding point.
Does he though? Fangraphs certainly doesn't agree. One season with a positive UZR, and the rest negative.
Same.
Attended 1976 World Series in my Mother's Womb. Attended 1990 World Series Game 2 as a 13 year old. Want to take my son to a a World Series Game in Cincinnati in my lifetime.
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