Tuesday, August 16, 2005
The Cy Young, MVP arguments
Ok, let me state right now,this isn't an argument for MVP or Cy Young, this is an argument for some semblance of sanity. There is over a month remaining in the season and to put a case out there saying that so-and-so is the most deserving MVP is jumping the gun. I'm pretty sure Chipper won his MVP because of his strong finish in 1999, and I'm pretty sure he isn't the only person to ride a hot finish to an MVP. There are a handful of legitimate MVP candidates in the national league and depending on how the races go or how they individually finish the season up, any one of them could take the hardware home.
Let's quickly look at the true candidates for nl MVP. Albert Pujols(has to be the favorite right now) Derrek Lee, Miguel Cabrera, Andruw Jones, Morgan Ensberg, Roger Clemens, Chris Carpenter, and maybe Cordero (if the Nationals finish strong..something I don't think will happen though) These guys make the list because of the fact that they are having great seasons, teams that they play for and in Corderos case, the over-valuation of closers by the average writer/voter.
Cy Young is even a smaller party, pretty much Clemens and Carpenter with Oswalt waiting in the wings if Clemens falters. those are probably the only guys that will get consideration, although any one of the guys in the top ten in era should be considered to be at least an outside chance of finishing strong (patterson will get shafted due to his low w/l record unless he finishes strong in the w category)
As a Cardinal fan I want Carpenter to win it, but it is right now Clemens's to lose, as long as he maintains his utter dominance of hitters and keeps having good games he will own another trophy, even without the gaudy w/l record. I really think it's a stretch to think that he will keep this up, but it's also hard to say that Carpenter will keep his dominance up so even if Clemens comes back to earth Carpenter is just as likely.
The final month of the season is going to determine who gets the awards among these likely candidates (I don't really see anyone coming from out of no where and getting past all these other guys)
Prediction??? Pujols wins MVP, Carpenter wins Cy Young. (although Clemens has the era title, but he is right at 2.00 when the season ends) what did you think I was going to pick? I'm a Cardsfanboy remember.
Let's quickly look at the true candidates for nl MVP. Albert Pujols(has to be the favorite right now) Derrek Lee, Miguel Cabrera, Andruw Jones, Morgan Ensberg, Roger Clemens, Chris Carpenter, and maybe Cordero (if the Nationals finish strong..something I don't think will happen though) These guys make the list because of the fact that they are having great seasons, teams that they play for and in Corderos case, the over-valuation of closers by the average writer/voter.
Cy Young is even a smaller party, pretty much Clemens and Carpenter with Oswalt waiting in the wings if Clemens falters. those are probably the only guys that will get consideration, although any one of the guys in the top ten in era should be considered to be at least an outside chance of finishing strong (patterson will get shafted due to his low w/l record unless he finishes strong in the w category)
As a Cardinal fan I want Carpenter to win it, but it is right now Clemens's to lose, as long as he maintains his utter dominance of hitters and keeps having good games he will own another trophy, even without the gaudy w/l record. I really think it's a stretch to think that he will keep this up, but it's also hard to say that Carpenter will keep his dominance up so even if Clemens comes back to earth Carpenter is just as likely.
The final month of the season is going to determine who gets the awards among these likely candidates (I don't really see anyone coming from out of no where and getting past all these other guys)
Prediction??? Pujols wins MVP, Carpenter wins Cy Young. (although Clemens has the era title, but he is right at 2.00 when the season ends) what did you think I was going to pick? I'm a Cardsfanboy remember.
