Albert Pujols wins NL MVP unanimously

http://bbwaa.com/

Obviously.

Some down-ballot comments:

Ryan Howard has got to be the most over-rated player in the game.

His teammate Chase Utley is easily the most under-rated player in the game.

Only two voters had Ryan Zimmerman on their ballot, and both had him 10th?

The pitchers were ordered Carpenter-Wainwright-Lincecum, similar to last year when the NL pitchers placed in practically the opposite order in the MVP balloting as they did in the Cy Young. Just a silly little quirk that's due to the different voter pools and that pitchers are not given adequate consideration for the MVP, with a good amount of writers probably ignoring the explicit rules of the ballot and ignoring pitchers completely.

Most overrated in baseball? Nah. Overrated? Yes

He's pretty overrated. I'd put him in the discussion of most overrated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OregonDuck1989

He's pretty overrated. I'd put him in the discussion of most overrated.

---

Agreed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skudplayr

Most overrated in baseball? Nah. Overrated? Yes

---

How many other players consistently place in the top 5 in MVP voting despite only oncea tually having the performance to back up that high of a place?

good job albie!

not like this was a surprise though, but it's awesome that he is recognized like this.

and he put up a few years that could have been mvp's as well, but guys like Bonds were also in the N.L at the time ;)

The writers have officially improved this season!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeffy25

and he put up a few years that could have been mvp's as well, but guys like Bonds were also in the N.L at the time ;)

---

Albert Pujols is to Barry Bonds as Chase Utley is to Albert Pujols.

wait wat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Agreed.

---

double agree.

he is still a sound player, but his offense is similar to mark reynolds and adam dunn. his defense is pretty solid though. But he is media friendly, which helps, and he won an mvp at a very young age, as well other awards, or was a runner up.

It just seems people think he is the second greatest second basemen in baseball, when there are several others that any gm might take over him.

Personally, i would rather have Cabrera and Tex over Howard. And maybe even Fielder

I wouldn't want Cabrera over Howard unless I had a real mouthy wife Cabrera could smack around.







...Too soon?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoustonGM

How many other players consistently place in the top 5 in MVP voting despite only oncea tually having the performance to back up that high of a place?

---

this was better said then what i said.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeffy25

It just seems people think he is the second greatest second basemen in baseball, when there are several others that any gm might take over him.

---

First basemen?

Also, I think it's hilarious how Pujols essentially repeated his 2008 season, while Howard improved upon his 2008 season, and yet this time Pujols is unanimous, and last year, Howard had a substantial amount of 1st place support. I guess Pujols can thank Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright for the unanimity?

And Brendan Ryan/Rasmus!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoustonGM

First basemen?

Also, I think it's hilarious how Pujols essentially repeated his 2008 season, while Howard improved upon his 2008 season, and yet this time Pujols is unanimous, and last year, Howard had a substantial amount of 1st place support. I guess Pujols can thank Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright for the unanimity?

---

haha, possibly.

and of course, it seems the more you win, the more likely you are to keep winning.

and it helped that albert was a triple crown threat all year. most people didn't notice his slip in the end.

and yes, at first base, i would take tex and cabrera over howard....and of course albert.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeffy25

and of course, it seems the more you win, the more likely you are to keep winning.

---

I don't think this applies as much to the MVP as it does with, say, Gold Gloves.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoustonGM

I don't think this applies as much to the MVP as it does with, say, Gold Gloves.

---

probably

The truth of the matter is, about 25 other teams in baseball would take Howard in a second for any single player on their team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skudplayr

The truth of the matter is, about 25 other teams in baseball would take Howard in a second for any single player on their team.

---

doesn't mean he is a top 5 mvp player each year.

and I don't think that is true.

Who the hell voted for Jeremy Affeldt... lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FloydtheBarber

Who the hell voted for Jeremy Affeldt... lol

---

Exactly what I was wondering lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skudplayr

The truth of the matter is, about 25 other teams in baseball would take Howard in a second for any single player on their team.

---

Arizona - Justin Upton
Atlanta Braves - Jason Heyward/Tom Hanson
Baltimore Orioles - Matt Wieters
Boston Red Sox - A lot
White Sox - I think they would trade any player for Howard, but possibly Beckham
Cubs - Another possible team.
Reds - Joey Votto? Howard and Votto are extremely similar
Indians - Grady Sizemore
Rockies - Ubaldo Jimenez
Tigers - Verlander/Porcello
Marlins - They couldn't even afford howard
Astros - Another possible team
Royals - Greinke
Angels - Depends on how real Kendry Morales is, but maybe Weaver
Dodgers - haha, yeah..right..
Brewers - Fielder/Braun
Twins - Mauer
Mets - Johan Santana
Yankees - A lot
Athletics - I could see them trading any player
Pirates - McCutchen
Padres - Adrian Gonzalez
Giants - Lincecum
Mariners - Felix Hernandez
Cardinals - Pujols
Rays - Lots
Rangers - Possible, although next year they'll likely have Smoak up.
Blue Jays - I'd say Halladay, but since they have to trade him they would easily do it
Nationals - Strasburg/Zimmermann/Zimmerman

But..you know..25!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Mets - Johan Santana

---

I would trade Santana for Howard in a heartbeat.

Note:

Adam Dunn had basically the same offensive year as Ryan Howard.

Yet, zero mvp votes.

(granted his defense is awful)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by metsguy234

I would trade Santana for Howard in a heartbeat.

---

Yeah, you would. Good thing this wasn't based on your logic.

you would trade Johan Santana for Ryan Howard?!

seriously?!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Yeah, you would. Good thing this wasn't based on your logic.

---

Mets need a first baseman desperately while we wait for Ike Davis (who probably won't amount to much, I don't see why we're putting all of our chickens into this no-name prospect), and we have pitching to spare, sign Lackey and our rotation could still work out, even if we don't sign Lackey Big Pelf could easily be our ace.

Johan Santana was considered the best SP in baseball for awhile for a reason.

It's easier to find power than it is to find a pitcher of Santana's caliber. Not to mention there's tons of power options available this winter (Delgado/Branyan/Johnson/Uggla/etc..).

Mark Reynolds again gets little recognition.

Who voted Hawpe? LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by metsguy234

Mark Reynolds again gets little recognition.

---

but Howard is a top 5!

Although, Reynolds didn't have as full of a year as Howard, but still, I agree.

Everywhere I am seeing comments from idiots saying Albert just does roids. :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rockiesfan4ever

Who voted Hawpe? LOL

---

At least Hawpe is cool :cool:

Hawpe ain't cool

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeffy25

but Howard is a top 5!

Although, Reynolds didn't have as full of a year as Howard, but still, I agree.

Everywhere I am seeing comments from idiots saying Albert just does roids. :rolleyes:

---

Only Albert knows the truth about that. I don't think any of us should be speculating on whether he does or doesn't. Sit back and enjoy the show. If we find out later that he has been, oh well, you're numb to it already, but why worry about it now?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by actionjackson

Only Albert knows the truth about that. I don't think any of us should be speculating on whether he does or doesn't. Sit back and enjoy the show. If we find out later that he has been, oh well, you're numb to it already, but why worry about it now?

---

so true.

Besides you only take steroids to increase clutchiness. Albert has never had a problem with that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Marlins - They couldn't even afford howard

---

Plus Hanley Ramirez

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Astros - Another possible team

---

Lance Berkman/Wandy Rodriguez

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Athletics - I could see them trading any player

---

Brett Anderson.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Rangers - Possible, although next year they'll likely have Smoak up.

---

Neftali Feliz.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

Blue Jays - I'd say Halladay, but since they have to trade him they would easily do it

---

I don't think they would, since Howard isn't locked up long term. Besides him, Adam Lind.

I think there's maybe a max of 5 teams that would trade any one single player on their team for Howard...a MAX. Nearly every team has a player that's comparable or better than Howard in terms of pure value or as of now hasn't been more valuable but is more likely to be similar/better value in the future (Brett Anderson, Neftali Feliz, etc.).

This is all ignoring finances, of course.

The fact of the matter is that Ryan Howard isn't anything special. He's good, but not close to top of the league out of every player. First base is such a loaded position. 9 first basemen that qualified for the batting title in the majors this year had an OPS+ of 140 or higher...with Howard at exactly 140. 5 NL first basemen had a higher OPS+ than him.

When evaluating players, most people don't take this into account. First base is absolutely LOADED.

But, sure, why not, trade one of the best pitchers in the league and your only reliable starting pitcher because you have an opening at first base. Sound plan. lol.

Offense wins ballgames.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by metsguy234

Offense wins ballgames.

---

Pitching and defense win ballgames, too. :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoustonGM

Pitching and defense win ballgames, too. :rolleyes:

---

And Howard is decent defensively (better than Murphy) and very good offensively (i.e. better than Murphy). He also may or may not be a better pitcher than Daniel Murphy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by metsguy234

And Howard is decent defensively (better than Murphy) and very good offensively (i.e. better than Murphy). He also may or may not be a better pitcher than Daniel Murphy.

---

What's this have to do with giving up Johan Santana?

I never said Ryan Howard wouldn't upgrade the Mets at first base. I said trading Johan Santana for him is braindead dumb.