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Thread: Early Discussion: Braves MVP

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    Connoisseur of Minors zitothebrave's Avatar
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    Early Discussion: Braves MVP

    While we still have a month of baseball to go I think it's a good time to start up the discussion as to who the team's MVP has been. To me there's really only 5 options. Simmons, Freddie, Jason, Minor and Kimbrel.

    Obviously the last month of the season could change the debate but I'll state the cases for each. I left guys who've been key contributors off like Julio, Justin, Mac, and Johnson because for Julio he's been outclassed by Minor, and the other 3 guys primary asset is offense and Freddie has outhit them.

    By any WAR metric Simmons is our most valuable player because of his defense. He doesn't bring much else to the team with poor offensive numbers and averagish in the bases. But he's been amazing with the glove and his glove has saved the 2 guys next to him many times. Not to mention picked up our staff. With arguably 2 of the worst defenders to his left and his right Simmons still puts up insane numbers. One could argue with better defenders (especially at 3B) he wouldn't have the same numbers because that 3B may eat into some of his great plays but regardless he's insane.

    Freddie is out best hitter. Not lighting the world on fire but his 141 wRC+ is the best on the team by 8 points (Mac is second, Justin and Johnson are one point behind Mac) Power is a little low but he's spraying line drives everywhere. If he and Jason keep up their K% and BB% (hopefulyl improve on them as well) and add some power we'll have 2 great bats with them.

    Jason the best combination of defense and offense we have. 118 wRC+ while not amazing is very good and his UZR of 12.7 is excellent. Heyward was on pace to have as good of a year as he had last year sans baserunning which would have made him if healthy a 5+ WAR player. But alas he's been hurt and now is done for the year potentially. The case that makes Heyward most interesting is our record with him vs without. Could be 100% coincidental, could not. Without him we're a below .500 team, with him we're like a .700 win team or something insane like that. I don't care to do the numbers but IIRC in the 95 games he's played we've won like 64 of them Again may be wrong on the exact numbers but the difference is staggering something like 60 wins when he starts (89 or 90 games IIRC) and then we have like 19 in the remaining 40ish. Again could be coincidental but watching the team play with Heyward vs without is night and day.

    Minor is our best starting pitcher, while Julio has been awesome, Minor is his superior in nearly every way (ERA, FIP, xFIP, SIERA, tERA, you name it Minor is best) so if you believe our most valuable player is a pitcher (I don't) then it would be Minor

    Kimbrel would be your vote if you believe his ability to shut down games is key. While not a demigod like last year, Kimbrel sports a great ERA, great FIP, and great xFIP. If you're a believer in save stats he's already saved as many games as last year and has the same number of blown saves. A few more saves without a blown save and he has better save numbers than last year.

    Should make for an interesting discussion now and should really make for an interesting story to follow the rest of the way.
    Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg

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    It's OVER 5,000! yeezus's Avatar
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    I go Minor.

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    Shift Leader thethe's Avatar
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    I would consider Chris Johnson part of this discussion as well.

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    A Chip Off the Old Rock Julio3000's Avatar
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    You left out the most important criterion. Who has the most multi-hit games?

    I'm sure it's Chris Johnson. WHY LOVEST THOU NOT LORD BABIP?

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    It's OVER 5,000! 57Brave's Avatar
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    Has anyone mentioned Justin's hot start that pretty much on it's own provide a cushion?
    Gattis' first two months?
    Of the 8 regulars 6 deserve mention


    End of the day we aren't even talking about this or magic numbers without Kimbrel.
    Been watching baseball for over 50 years and have never seen anyone dictate games / series the way this guy does.
    Tonight Tito will manage the first inning with Kimbrell in mind

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    I wouldn't say we have just one MVP, though Simmons is the one player we can least afford to lose. A number of players have made huge contributions at key times during the season (including bench players).

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    It's really been a team effort this year so it's tough to point at one player being the team MVP, but I would have to go with Freeman, and Simmons a close second. The bullpen as a whole has probably been better than ever. I can't even remember the last time anyone there blew a save. But that's not one guy.

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    Obviously a lot of different guys have contributed throughout the season. Heyward got moved to leadoff, found his groove and we took off. Now with him out, we're back to struggling again. Freddie has been solid all year, and Simmons is special on defense, while Minor has come into his own on the mound.

    But to me, it's Kimbrel. Out of our 79 wins this year, he's saved 42 of them. I love Avilan and Walden, but Kimbrel is the one guy we absolutely cannot lose. It would be a death sentence for our WS hopes, honestly. While he isn't quite the machine he was last season, he's still above and beyond his contemporaries. While nothing is automatic, think about how much ease we feel with a lead in the ninth compared to other teams.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bravesnumberone View Post
    Obviously a lot of different guys have contributed throughout the season. Heyward got moved to leadoff, found his groove and we took off. Now with him out, we're back to struggling again. Freddie has been solid all year, and Simmons is special on defense, while Minor has come into his own on the mound.

    But to me, it's Kimbrel. Out of our 79 wins this year, he's saved 42 of them. I love Avilan and Walden, but Kimbrel is the one guy we absolutely cannot lose. It would be a death sentence for our WS hopes, honestly. While he isn't quite the machine he was last season, he's still above and beyond his contemporaries. While nothing is automatic, think about how much ease we feel with a lead in the ninth compared to other teams.
    Kimbrel's pretty close to the machine he was last year. Same ERA, same amount of BS (so far). He just isn't k-ing as much guys.

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    It's OVER 5,000! bravesnumberone's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by yeezus View Post
    Kimbrel's pretty close to the machine he was last year. Same ERA, same amount of BS (so far). He just isn't k-ing as much guys.
    Yeah, don't get me wrong. Outside of those three blown saves in April/early May, he's been outstanding. Just further illustrates the case for him being the team's MVP.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bravesnumberone View Post
    Yeah, don't get me wrong. Outside of those three blown saves in April/early May, he's been outstanding. Just further illustrates the case for him being the team's MVP.
    Surprised he isn't being mentioned for league MVP
    /////

    Gonzalez for NL Manager of the Year?

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    Freddie Freeman...not sure how this is a discussion.

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    Lynchburg Prospect chopdrew's Avatar
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    Freeman or Kimbrel. You could incude Justin in the discussion, too...

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    Quote Originally Posted by 57Brave View Post
    Surprised he isn't being mentioned for league MVP
    /////

    Gonzalez for NL Manager of the Year?
    I've said a few times I like Fredi's ability to keep the team focused and on an even keel. His in-game decisions confuse me often, but he's better than most.

    Assuming the Pirates don't completely fold, Hurdle has to be Manager of the Year.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chopdrew View Post
    Freeman or Kimbrel. You could incude Justin in the discussion, too...
    Replace Justin with Minor and I think you nailed it.
    Ivermectin Man

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    Quote Originally Posted by Orphan Black View Post
    Freddie Freeman...not sure how this is a discussion.
    This......

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    It's OVER 5,000! 57Brave's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bravesnumberone View Post
    I've said a few times I like Fredi's ability to keep the team focused and on an even keel. His in-game decisions confuse me often, but he's better than most.

    Assuming the Pirates don't completely fold, Hurdle has to be Manager of the Year.
    That too -- what about Davey Johnson?
    couldn't help myself

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    It's hard not to separate into offense and pitching. It isn't any player hands down, though. Sorry, it just isn't.

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