If the award is for the best player, I wish they'd change the name. Ohtani is freaking outstanding, but hard to say he's the most valuable on a team that's under .500 and not sniffing the playoffs. Same deal with trout before him. If it's "most valuable", it needs to be a player that's playing for something imo
jpx7 (08-27-2021)
Gained a full game on Phillies and Mets while sitting at home 2 days.
jpx7 (08-27-2021)
jpx7 (08-27-2021)
Guess we disagree.
Boy, that ohtani is valuable... I bet the angels would've had a losing season without him.
I actually do think ohtani is the best player. I just wish the name of the award was different.
NFL MVP is a player on a playoff team.
NBA MVp is a player on a playoff team.
Hart memorial trophy is a player on a playoff team.
The Braves have really been able to chill and rest and STILL gain two games lmao
You think any team would have a dramatically different record without their best player?
I don't. The numbers don't. The Braves don't.
When things are close to being even the relevance to the championship race is probably a reasonable thing to weigh.
Ohtani isn't close to the pack.
He's the MVP even if New York sportswriters in the 30s and 40s wanted to justify shafting Ted Williams.
NFL MVP is rarely anyone but QB. And QB is by far the most important position on the field. It's unlikely you're ever going to see an NFL QB playing like the best QB in football and his team not be in playoff contention. Probably the closest I can think of is Drew Brees. But again, it isn't like he was clearly the best QB in football in the years that Thesaurus finished below .500
Individual players have a larger impact in football and basketball then they do in baseball. So you'll rarely see the best players in those sports playing on losing teams. In baseballl, you aren't as directly responsible for points like you are in basketball and football.
Last edited by Carp; 08-27-2021 at 08:04 AM.
If it's just best player, give it do deGrom in NL. He was on 10 fWAR pace. If the award has nothing to do with leading your team to a successful season, I don't think missing time should count against you. Is he not the best in the NL just bc he got hurt?
It's the age old argument and I am so old I remember a lot of the controversial choices. I don't think there's much controversy this year (or there shouldn't be). Ohtani is a golden unicorn and I would argue we have never seen a player like him.
Agree on "when it's close, anything goes." One of the first instances of the statistically lesser players winning the MVP where controversy followed was the choice of Pendleton over Bonds. Clearly, Pendleton's role in the Braves' worst-to-first played a major role in him eking out the award over Bonds and they were close enough in most categories that the nod from the sportswriters was earned. I think voting has changed dramatically since the introduction of deeper statistical analysis, but there will always be a "romantic" side where a team performance narrative--especially if it's unexpected--will sway a considerable number of votes.
If not Ohtani then who else is the AL MVP? Can’t be Vlad since Toronto isn’t making the post season. Has to be Altuve I guess since his team is good.
Should be decided after the postseason imo. Great postseason performance should be weighted more heavy
ETA... now I'm not saying if Jorge soler gets red hot and leads the braves to a title, he should get it. If 2 are in contention and 1 goes off in the postseason, that should be a tie breaker or push that one over the top
Last edited by msstate7; 08-27-2021 at 11:17 AM.
jpx7 (08-27-2021)
Just stop and take the L.
It's really easy. If the best player is clearly outclassing the league then he gets the award. When it's close I would give preference to a playoff bound team.
Ohtani is the AL MVP.
deGrom would of won the NL if he had stayed healthy but he didn't. If Acuna had played all year with deGrom hurt he likely would have won it as well. But they did get hurt and that's the way it goes.
jpx7 (08-27-2021)