Who wins the AL MVP?

[TDalton]

Is the Triple Crown enough for Cabrera? The feat hasn't been accomplished for 45 years, but it didn't help Ted Williams win the MVP in 1942 or 1947.

Sabermetricians favor super-rookie Trout, who is a superior defender and baserunner and has a WAR over 10.

Cano had 80+ extra base hits and carried the Yankees down the stretch, while Jeter led the majors in hits and was the Bombers most consistent performer.

Jones was a standout five tool player on the surprising Orioles.

Hamilton and Beltre both had monster years for the offensive juggernaut Texas club.



And I only put "Other" here so Chewey can vote for Cody Ross. ;D

[Tournament Master]

Its a 2 man race between Cabrera and Trout. I think Cabrera wins it since he got the Triple Crown (even though he has had better years in the past) and his team is actually in the playoffs. Sabermatricians will vote for Trout, but I think he comes in 2nd, but gets Rookie of the Year...while his high priced team is watching the playoffs from home.

[TTX]

I think Cabrera as well but it will be pretty close. Trout will probably get an MVP or three before his career is over though.

[payback]

It's gotta be Cabrera. WAR is probably the most meaningless stat that there's ever been. If people are going to look at WAR, then I would say Trout has way more strikeouts than Cabrera even though Cabrera has had way more at bats.

Cabrera is by FAR the best hitter in the game and he is an average defensive player. Not great, doesn't suck either.

Cabby hands down.

[swarm]

I don't know how a guy who plays for a team who missed the playoffs can be called MVP, when it turns out they would have missed them with or without him.

[TDalton]

I could see voting for a non-playoff team MVP if he had a season well beyond everyone else in the league.

One thing Cabrera doesn't get enough credit for is embracing the move to 3B so the Tigers could sign Prince Fielder. Doesn't get much more valuable than that.

While I like the theory behind the WAR stat, none of the Sabermetric gurus have yet found a decent way to quantify defense and baserunning.

Trout would make my top 5, but he'll have to settle for Rookie of the Year, a Gold Glove and probably a Silver Slugger. Not a bad haul.

[maddog1981]

I liked advanced metrics. They're interesting and it can give you a real look into a players performance. With that said, people like Jonah Kari tend to use advanced metrics in the place of common sense. Trout had some insane numbers and advanced metrics but Cabrera literally carried his team kicking and screaming into the playoffs. You would see that if you actually watched the games, you won't see that looking at naked numbers. There's a common sense factor to this race that metric people are missing. It's MOST VALUABLE PLAYER not player with the best stats. The Tigers are in the playoffs because Cabrera carried the team on his back for 2 months.

I hate the ESPN crew especially because they try to justify their bad arguments with metrics and not with common sense. Stats have their place but sometimes what you see is just as important on the field.

[Phoenix]

i think the whole 'led his team to the playoffs argument is weird now...because of how they've split the divisions' the Angels won more games..there's now Two wild cards. and their still not in. hate the current format.

But i'd give it to Cabrera, anyone 'sabermatrician ' or whatever that discounts BA and RBI's is a moron. Cabrera was awesome.

[maddog1981]

RBI is a useless stat. But you don't need RBI to justify Cabrera over Trout.

[Phoenix]

It's not a useless stat , he drove in the runs. put another guy there and he'd drive in 80 instead of 140.
I also saw the most STUPID debate this morning on ESPN. 'why isn't Cabera's Triple Crown being talked about? ' they decided it's race.
NO, IT'S NOT THE FACT THAT YOU MORONS TALK ABOUT TEBOW AND LEBRON EVERY MORNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER
UUUUGHGHGHHGH.