topper09er

It comes down to, do you think valuable means most valuable to any team, or most valuable to his team this year. How much value is there in 78 wins? Last I checked you aren't playing in the playoffs so there is no difference between the Orioles and Phillies. As Branch Rickey said to Ralph Kiner, "We finished last with you, we can finish last without you." I think post season/team contribution can be a deciding factor and this year I think Trout and Betts are close enough to consider it. I think 2010 NL is another good example. Votto and Pujols were pretty close, Pujols a slight edge in WAR but they were very close. I think Votto should have won considering he was the cornerstone for the division champs Reds, no way they win the central that year with any random AAA 1B instead of Votto. Other years a guy might be so far ahead he deserves it no matter what. Stanton last year is a good case, hitting 20 more HRs than the next guy is pretty dominant.

This. Exactly why I feel Trout winning the AL MVP over Betts is asinine. Yeah, because who is the last guy to win a playoff MVP from a losing team? It pretty much never happens. The regular season though? I mean, Stanton just won it. Yup only happened once. My point is just that if you are of the opinion that the WS MVP can only go to the winning team, then that general principle can also extend to the full season obviously to a lesser degree. Sometimes it is useful to look at the extreme cases to make a point. If you think it is reasonable that the WS MVP can only come from the winning team, then I don't think it is consistent to think that letting playoffs vs not playoffs be a deciding factor in the season vote is insane and totally unreasonable. Last year was a good example where the clear top players where not playoff bound so it was a tossup between then. I think in the AL if you have Trout who is clearly the best player in the league vs Betts who is having a career year not too far behind Trout but on the team with the most wins in the league Betts is a fine choice. I also think Trout winning is a fine choice since he is clearly the best player. I know Trout has an insane slash line, but Betts does have more bWAR and fWAR. Based on the history of the award, I think it should go to Betts. In general, the same guy is usually the best player in the league for a stretch but they don't just always win the MVP. Willie Mays led his league in WAR 10 times but won 2 MVPs. No one thinks any less of Mays. The only guy ever with more than 3 Bonds. If Trout finishes his career with 3-4 that would line up with all of the other inner circle HOF all-time greats.

The bros are getting nervous in Wrigleyville

Gameday had that perfectly on the black for a strike

Diarrhea. Hopefully this describes JJ tonight

How do you not drop the bat after getting hit in the wrist with a fastball

Good thing they have more than one closer! Barnes and Albers?

I can't wait for all these classy fans to go home, see that they were wrong booing all these calls, and then write the umpire an apology letter

It also seems a little odd to declare a bullpen game ahead of time if you know JJ is out, so hopefully something that just came up today. Also would explain trying to extend Peralta earlier

Honestly with the way Jesus has been looking he should be trying to go oppo here

Arcia was fine running, the problem was his hitting

without the stupid pickoff attempt Kratz would have delivered

Kratz bunting, That's a hell of an idea

YYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS

If Kratz ever wants to pick a time to actually sprint to first on a grounder this would be it

Great job Thames! No strikeout Moose. Edit good job Moose

Yup, the infielders were rusty but Burnes was on

what was that?

What would Coach Cooper say? Ok I have to ask - what is this reference? I also don't know but I hope it is

The most discussed play in BF.net history was allowing Peralta to face Carpenter in the 3rd

ok, so what is the best source for the official resume time?

Well, this is the time for the MVP to earn it

Shaw what are you doing, sprint back to 2nd to count the run. Got lucky there

3 run wild pitch or bust

yes, now pile on moose