So, for the third time this week, let’s talk about Carlos Quentin. ESPN’s Jayson Stark says that right now, Quentin gets his vote for American League MVP. At this point, he may just be a shoe in. Take a look at some of Q!’s competition.
Top Competition
Josh Hamilton
Hamilton, Jack Cobra’s preseason MVP dark horse, is having an awesome year, no doubt about it. But Quentin has more homers (32 to 28), a way higher on-base percentage, and sports a 20 point lead in OPS. Combine that with the fact that the Sox are leading their division and the Rangers are 15 back in theirs, and only one game over .500, and it would seem Quentin has a definitive edge. I’m sure Hamilton will steal some votes based on his story/personality alone, but not that many are so stupid. At least I hope not.
Francisco Rodriguez
Eric Gagne, back when he was roided up out of his mind, won the Cy Young a few years back as a closer, and even that was rare. Dennis Eckersley is the only closer to ever win MVP, so Rodriguez would be accomplishing something very rare if he pulls it off. Though K-Rod will probably break Bobby Thigpen’s save record, he really hasn’t been as lights out as people think. It’s just that before the Angels added M-Tex, their offense didn’t have the fire power to score a lot of runs, so they played a lot of close games. That meant Rodriguez got a ton of save chances, and he’s come through on all but four of them so far. But at 2.34, his ERA isn’t ridiculously good, and he has walked a bunch of guys all year. Looking at the numbers it’s pretty clear that K-Rod isn’t even the AL’s best closer, Joakim Soria probably is. Soria’s WHIP is .75, K-Rod’s is over 1.2
The Dark Horse
Alex Rodriguez
If the Yankees somehow make the playoffs, and they won’t cause they suck, eat it Brian, A-Rod would easily grab the trophy. A-Rod tops Quentin in OPS, and trails by only four homers despite playing 13 less games. But the Yanks don’t have any pitching, and their offense has been injured and bad all year. Could A-Rod really win MVP if New York finishes in third place in their division? I doubt it.
So Quentin it is, right!? How exciting. I feel like this is pay back for JD not winning it in 06.
Chest bump to South Side Sox for that sweet pic.
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Comments
For Josh...OBP is not WAY higher its .13% higher. BUt you are correct.
I fucking hate that how good a team is determines if a player should win the MVP. If anything a player that succeeds on a bad team should be considered to be even that much better, because they don't have the necessary pieces around them to drive in runs or score them. THis obviously does not apply to Hamilton b/c that offense is retarded-good.
Joe Nathan is, year in and year out, the best closer in MLB. There is a reason the Twins keep winning for no reason. They don't loose games late.
A-Rod should win it. His numbers are better besides RBI (stupdid stat) and HRs. It isn't even close. A-Rod is by far the better player. Plays a more demanding pos. and is doing it while banging a 50-year-old skank.
If the Sox don't make the playoffs does that hurt Q's chances?
Team USA's defense was great, Wade was even better. The studio also used the old Tesh jam, Roundball Rock (NBA on NBC theme song). That alone made getting up early worth it.
A-Rod deserved it last year, this year, even if the Yanks do make the playoffs (which they won't), he wouldn't deserve it. His stats have been hollow so far.
I couldn't vote for Quentin simply because he has the ugliest stance I've ever seen and logic tells me he's popping HGH like it's nobody's business, but that's just me. He probably deserves it.
"His stats have been hollow so far."
What does that mean? I honestly don't know, seriously. I can assume you mean this def "Without substance or character" and not "Deeply indented or concave; sunken." But they do have substance, because they are facts...i'm confused.
Probably like how Sammy only hit solo homers when the Cubs were down like six runs in 98.
Here are some splits that illustrate my point:
2007:
- w/ runners in scoring position A-Rod hit .333 avg, 1.138 OPS
- RISP & 2 outs: .318 avg, 1.224 OPS
- Close & Late: .357 avg, 1.125 OPS
- Man on 3rd, less than 2 outs: .452 avg, 1.242 OPS (31 at bats in this situation, 38 RBI)
2008
- w/ runners in scoring position: .236 avg, .796 OPS
- RISP & 2 outs: .208 avg, .820 OPS
- Close & Late: .240 avg, .796 OPS
- Man on 3rd, less than 2 outs: .267 avg, .639 OPS (30 at bats in this situation, 15 RBI).
Last year his numbers had context, they won games. This year they're coming in less-pressurized situations, not necessarily when the team needs them (up more than 3, down more than 3, earlier in the games, etc.)
That's what I mean by hollow. The MVP is an award where you should take context into account, otherwise just call it the best statistical offensive season.
Did you take these from a Celizic article? I see what you are saying...
But I really think numbers like that are cherry picking.
He wins plenty of games for his team. Maybe it's not in the 9th (this year) but in the third. Who cares when he hits a two run or three run shot. More importatly he is getting on base at a 4/10 clip. Sick.
Example: Lets say he hits a three run shot in the third to put his team up 5-1 and the pitching effs the game up and they loose. He ends up going 1-3 in the game with a walk. So he is responsible for four of the teams five runs and gave his team a potential run with the walk. However, he grounds out late in the game with a runner on second and two outs...That's bad?
Taking it completely to the math Q does edge A-Rod by one win share to date 19 to 18 or 6.33 for Q to 6 for A-Rod (as in game they won themselves). So basically they are equal there. Bradely is at 18 as well but Hamilton has 24 or 8 games won on his own.
Ask yourself if you would rather have A-Rod on your team or Q. I mean for one year and not for the long haul. He plays a more important, less fill-able position, gives you 20 SB over 80% and has that smile.
Also. I would like to put into question sample size. It doesn't exist. Just like I would put those redonk numbers into question from 2007. If I had to guess he is prob somewhre in the middle for his career, kind of like his overall stats are no matter the situation...Just saying. He is the best player in baseball every year.
Best does not equal most valuable. At least it wouldn't if I was voting, but it's completely subjective, so who knows what the voters think.
My point is that last year A-Rod's monster numbers came at the most opportune times for the Yanks to win. A three-run bomb when your team is down by two in the bottom of the 9th has a more direct effect on the success of a team than a three-run bomb when your team is already up 5-1 in the 4th inning. All home runs are not equal.
HBP's have seriously increased his on-base percentage like 15 points. I can't believe it just happened again.
What about board game entrepenuir Milton Bradley...he's leading the AL in OPS...176 OPS+. 176!!!!
For the same argument that Josh Hamilton won't get an MVP, they are 15 games out. Kinsler is in the same boat. They may be the leagues most outstanding players but playing a little better than .500 ball is a must to win the award.
I know that is what the voters go by, but why? Why is it so important that the Ranges have no pitching and can't win after scoring 17 runs. How is that either of thier faults...
I see what you are saying but it's just the way it works. The theory I think is "how valuable can they be if the team is still 15 back?" A feeling I agree with.
To answer that, very. Hamilton is 8 games valuable to his team...or two more games than anyone mentioned on this site today.
It is not his fault the pitchers suck balls. He is a very valuable person to any team. This is not the most valuabe person to a winning team. WHo is the most valuable person to any team.
It is stupid. No one person can carry a team. The only closest argument to that would be Bonds in is PED days.
That's like saying George C Scott didn't deserve his oscar because "Patton" sucked. Which it did. But he rocked. And if you liked "Paton" go fuck yourself. It was long and boring and if you think otherwise, you are old and hate black people.
Whoa, before you just GIVE it to you Quintin (who is deserving), let's keep in mind that the Rangers are only 6 games behind the Sox right now and if the Sox don't win the Central (which is probably going to happen) that will absolutely lose votes for Quintin whereas Hamilton only loses votes if he goes into a deep slump, or starts doing drugs again.
Next, Hamilton has 12 more RBI's, 22 more hits, 18 points on the batting average, he's the home run derby king, he plays center field which is tougher to play than left, he's the leader of his team, his story is unparalleled, plus....do you think anyone outside of the Midwest knows who Quintin is? He's going to have a hard time getting votes from those West of the Mississippi......not because he doesn't deserve it, but because sports writers aren't always the smartest.
I'd still give Hamilton my vote right now, but like I said, if Quintin won I couldn't object.
Also interesting nugget from the Stark piece:
Jayson Stark: First off, let's get this straight. The Rangers don't have a losing record. In fact, since April 25, they've had a better record than the White Sox.
Ricky, shame on you for no Ian Kinsler mention, step your game up
HAHAHAHHAHAH - You are all idoits. Quentin hurts himself hitting a bat and this list of MVP's 2 weeks later is so off... Pedroia is the clear front-runner now... Quentin, it's your own fault for screwing yourself out of your one and only MVP... Guy is a total one year wonder. K-Rod maybe. But he ERA isn't all that good. Just luckly to get into a lot of close games. That is why they will lose to the Sox in the playoffs. Cub/Red Sox Series! What better than that?? Oh yea, seeing Quentin get hurt!!! HAHAHAH. I love it. Hamilton is a sick player, but he plays for Texas. Pedroia has it locked... Sox world series, MVP pedroia, MVP of WS will be Ortiz... 3 world series titles in 5 years. And the Pats will still make the playoffs. Good to be a Boston Fan.. Sucks for the rest of the world!!!!!!!!!!
Moreso than any of the Sox getting some kind of recognition, I look forward to the NY Post running another headline ripping everyone outside the 212 area code for not voting a Yankee the MVP.