2008 MVP Predictions

I'm not going to make wacky, sleeper MVP picks just for the sake of it.  Here's who I've got:

AL: Alex Rodriguez.  Runner up: Miguel Cabrera.

NL: David Wright.  Runner up: Matt Holliday.

Let's see your picks in the comments!

Comments

[Jim Crane]

Mine could be quite wacky!

AL: AROD Runner up: Josh Hamilton

NL: Alfonso Soriano Runner up: Matt Holiday

[IrishDave]

AL: David Ortiz Runner-Up: A-Rod

NL: Jeff Francoeur Runner-Up: Jose Reyes

[Brian]

AL-AROD
NL-Utley, runner up Holliday for the second year in a row to a Phillie!

[Win1forRonny]

winngers
AL: a-rod
NL: braun

runner up:
AL: manny
NL: howard

Jim, I'd love for soriano to win it for the NL, but his legs aren't great and he may never be a 40-40 type player again.

[CubsAddictMG]

A-Rod and Prince Fielder.

[Stephen Peele]

NL MVP: Mark Teixeira

AL MVP: Alex Rodriquez

[GmblngPtchr20]

AL: Miguel Cabrera
NL: Pujols

[G4LBB25]

AL:Cabrera
Runner-Up:Manny

NL:Fielder
Runner-Up:Utley

[bravesbeast]

I am going to say Vlad in the AL as a darkhorse, becaue he may have to carry the angels because the offense will have to be good with all their pitching woes. I will go with AROD as my MVP and say as a runner-up the player who makes the most difference in teh Indians/Tigers Race in the Central.

AL MVP: VLAD
Runner-Up: AROD
Darkhorse: Miggy Cabrera, Maggs, Grady, Hafner, V-Mart

In the NL, I say the MVP is the difference in the NL East Race, just like it was last year with Rollins. The player who has been the most valuable to the team that wins will be the MVP. I also think a darkhorse will be the difference maker between the Cubs and Breweres, such as Prince or Soriano.

MVP: Mark Teixera (Homer Pick I know)
Runner-up: Utley, Howard, J-roll, Beltran, Wright
Darkhorse: Aramis Ramierez (I think this may be the year he puts it together)

[bravesbeast]

Make that
AL MVP;AROD
Runner-UP: Difference Maker in the aL Central
Darkhorse:
Vlad

[spur2010]

AL: Alex Rodriguez
Runner up: Miguel Cabrera

NL: Hunter Pence (you may say im crazy, but i have a feeling he will do it this year or next)
Runner up: Matt Holiday

[ewoks]

Ok, I'll plug a Cub this time.

AL: V Mart. This one has not facts behind it, I just have this feeling about CLE. Runner Ups: A-Rod, Miggy.

NL: Derrek Lee. If the Cubs are going to be as good as everyone says they are, then he is leading the way. Runner Ups: David Wright, Ryan Braun.

[scatterbrian]

AL
1. a Rod
2. M. Cabrera
3. Sizemore
4. Crawford
5. Rios
NL
1. Beltran
2. Fielder
3. H. Ramirez
4. Wright
5. Dunn

[bseballcrzy17]

I'm glad people are recognizing Vlad... I think he'll bounce back and have a huge year, as last year was kind of a down year (in terms of Vlad lol).
I say

AL MVP: Vlad
AL Runner-up: A-Rod

NL MVP: Matt Holliday
NL Runner-up: Hanley Ramirez

[ff2715]

Vlad and Fielder!

[Game555]

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
Darkhorse: Alex Rios

NL MVP: Mark Teixeira
Darkhorse: Aramis Ramirez

[JWBBZ]

AL - Nick Markakis

NL - Mark Teixeira

[FineHamAbounds]

AL: Vlad
Runner up: A-Rod, Magglio, Manny

NL: Chipper
Runner up: Hanley, Wright, Tex

[MattyJ]

Why not...

AL: Hafner
Runner Up: A-Rod

NL: Wright
Runner Up: Utley

[wgbport]

AL: A-Rod
Runner Up: V. Martinez

NL: Utley
Runner Up: D. Wright

[wankstafashizzel]

AL MVP Alex Rodriguez NL MVP Ryan Howard AL Runner up Miguel Cabrera NL Runner up David Wright or Matt Holliday

[cfitz88]

AL: Miguel Cabrera
NL: Prince Fielder

[hawkeyes12990]

Im going to get hated for saying this but im gonna go with who Arod said would be MVP

AL: Jeter
NL: Howard

Runner-up AL: Grady Sizemore/ Alex Rodriguez
Runner-up NL: Jose Reyes/Holliday

[sudansensation]

AL: Robinson Cano
Runner Up: A-Rod

NL: Aramis Ramirez
Runner Up: Ryan Howard

[bozbot]

AL MVP - AROD
NL MVP - JOHAN SANTANA

[eighty1]

AL: A-Rod
NL: Reggie Abercrombie

[TheBigDMoney]

AL: Manny Ramirez
Runner Up: A-Rod

NL: Derek Lee
Runner Up: David Wright

[stellar]

AL: Miguel Cabrera
Runner Up: A-Rod

NL: David Wright
Runner Up: Chase Utley

Book it.

[Aduncaroo]

Al - ARod
Nl - Wright

Runners Up

Al - Manny, Miggy,Vernon Wells

Nl - Derrek Lee, Aram, Pujols (assuming he elbow doesn't explode)and Hanley Ramirez.

[la16]

Al: Josh Hamilton

He's going to go insane in that launching pad out in Texas.

Nl: Garett Atkins

I think he'll break out big this year.

[Big Pujols]

AL: A-Rod
Runner Up: Grady Sizemore

NL: Albert Pujols
Runner Up: Matt Holliday

[Dan Kohler]

I like the way Alex Rodriquez plays. he is my choice to be the AL Mvp. The runner up will be
Miguel Cabrera.

I like the way David Wright
performs but I think he will fall short to Matt Holliday

[Dkid27]

AL MVP: A Rod
Runner Up: Vlad

NL MVP: Miguel Tejada
Runner Up: Chase Utley

[Land-Man]

NL MVP: Chipper Jones
AL MVP: Manny Ramirez

[cmac1973]

AL: Manny - remember, it's a contract year for him.

NL: Teixeira - same reason.

[Aduncaroo]

"NL: Albert Pujols
Runner Up: Matt Holliday

Posted by: Big Pujols"

Creative.

[cfunk]

AL: ARod (it hurts cuz I am a Red Sox fan, but how can you NOT pick him?)
AL Runner-up: MCab

NL: Holliday
NL Runner-up: H. Ramirez

[Joelcards]

typekey worthless. i type response and then cant get in. worthless.

in the al no dh should win so no ortiz or hafner. manny will have a monster year but hes an idiot. also arod obviously. darkhorse adrian beltre. if seattle surprises people hes the big offensive force and he has it in him somewhere.

in the nl pujols no question. the cards r going to be decent at least and he is the standout offensive threat. also plays gold glove defense. the mets and phillies players should take votes from each other. howard and fielder just hit homers. hanley is on the marlins. holliday could definitely win it as well.

[stellar]

Holliday is a decent player away from Colorado. He shouldn't be considered for MVP until he shows he's a star OF regardless of what stadium he's in.

Career OPS at home: 1.087
Career OPS on road: .781

Oh, and LOL at Chipper for MVP.

[mr_spooky]

AL:Cabrera
Runner-up:Vlad

NL: Utley
Runner-up: Andruw Jones

[WPSN]

AL MVP Miguel Cabrera, DET

Runner up:
Alex Rodriguez, NYY

NL MVP David Wright, NYM

Runner up:
Ryan Howard, PHL

[XIV]

I don't agree with Cabrera, I think he'll struggle in the AL and won't put up MVP numbers. I don't understand why anyone would pick Ortiz. He could put up insane numbers and the writers simply won't vote for him because he's a DH.

[baxter4218]

AL:
Manny Ramirez in a contract year = BONKERS!

NL:
Johan Santana (CY Young / MVP with 21 wins)

[bravesbeast]

Hmm lets see here

Chipper's lack of presence in games over the past few years may hinder him, but he was one of the best hitterst last year when he played, and excelled with Tex behind him. Compare these numbers...

.325 Ba .416 OBP .546 SLG .963 OPS
30 homers, 107 rbis, 113 Runs, 34 Stolen bases

.337 BA .425 OBP .604 SLG
1.029 OPS
29 homers, 102 Rbis, 5 SB, 108 runs

Now, it seems obvious that the top slate of stats (David Wright) is better overall than the bottom slate (Chipper Jones). However, Jones has better percentages than Wright. And oh yes, btw, Wright also had 91 more atbats than Chipper. Chipper was only 1 homer, 5 rbis, and 5 runs behind Wright, all which could have easily been made up in 91 at bats. However, the big difference in stolen bases and WRight's higher ability to stay healthy make him more valuable, but in terms of a pure middle of the order hitter, I would still take Chipper over right any day of the week, so it is not that far fetched to see Chipper as an MVP Candidate.

[XIV]

I'm sorry, but Josh Hamilton? Ouch!

[leeal02]

AL: Miguel Cabrera
AL Runner Up: A-Rod

NL: Pat Burrell
NL Runner Up: David Wright

[Pogue009]

AL- Any BoSox-Yankee
NL-Any Cub-Phillie-Met...

oh wait I am not a silly fanboy from a nasty polluted crime ridden eastern cesspool

Make mine
AL-Miguel Cabrera-they scored 450 by the break they should score 500 this year.
Runner Up- A-Rod can't deny his track record

Chase Utley and there is no eastern bias...RIGHT
Runner Up-Matt Holiday I predict that Holliday hits .350 40 150 but ends up at two or three in the vote.

oh and by the way in 1989 Wade Boggs hit .90 points better at home as a Red Sox player and he also had 37 doubles at home to 14 on the road

and he is in the Hall of Fame with a
Home
OPS .934 BA .354 2B 362
Road
OPS .782 BA .302 2B 216

[Land-Man]

ROTFL @ Andruw Jones.

[stellar]

Difference in Career Home/Road OPS:

Wade Boggs: .152
Matt Holliday: .306 (more than DOUBLE)

Colorado is known to inflate offensive numbers. Boggs played home games in Fenway, Yankee Stadium, and Tropicana.

Horrible comparison.

[WestCoastBias]

Miguel Cabrera & Mark Teixeira

[stellar]

@ bravesbeast

I'm not LOLing at the notion he's a good player. I just don't see him staying healthy enough to be in the conversation. I know he had good stats with "only 91" less ABs, but that's a big chunk of the season.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Typing out LOL causes cancer, every time you do it you get a little closer to death. Just stop, LOL lol ROFL lol.

"AL: Alex Rodriguez. Runner up: Miguel Cabrera.

NL: David Wright. Runner up: Matt Holliday."

Exactly.

LOL!!! LOL!!!

[Russell]

AL: A-Rod, runner up Robinson Cano

NL: Holliday, runner up A. Soriano

[Land-Man]

Chipper's had a few freak injuries (slipping on wet infield grass, colliding on the basepath etc.)

He seems to have the chronic foot thing under control now.

[start_wearing_purple]

AL Miguel Cabrera or Magglio Ordonez

NL Utley or Braun

[hawkeyes12990]

I cant believe this pogue person is talking trash

"oh wait I am not a silly fanboy from a nasty polluted crime ridden eastern cesspool"

how stupid is that? May i remind you miguel cabrera is on the DETROIT Tigers and detroit has the highest crime rate in the country

dont go attacking fans when no one attacked you pogue

[erbacaine]

AL- ManRAM
runner ups- Miggy, Ichiro, Arod

NL- Braun
Runner UPs- Utley, Wright..and a HEALTHY RICKIE WEEKS

[RoxRChamps]

Stellar, Coors doesn't inflate numbers like it did in the old days. Citizens actually inflates numbers much more than Coors currently. More homers at Citizens than Coors too.

But Holliday is a bona fide star. You're fooling yourself if you don't think he is capable of winning MVP. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the triple crown this year!

[Leeman]

David Wright? Are you high? No way the most overrated left side of the infield gets it (Wright and Reyes...not they they are not good, but they get too much airtime because they are in NYC).

AL- Arod and Miggy are good ones

NL- How about mark Teixeira? Dude is a Boras client in contract year. Or maybe Ryan Howard. That guy is going to hit 60 if he stays healthy. Either of these guys make a lot more sense than Wright or Reyes. Holliday could be a factor but I think the Rockies may not be as good this year and that coul dhurt Holliday. And THe CY YOUNG will NOT be Santana. God I get so sick of the Mets being picked to win everything.

AL Cy Young- If Rich Harden stayed healthy...nah, i will just stick with Beckett...oh wait..how bout Dontrelle?

NL CY Young- Dan Haren or Brandon Webb

[Pogue009]

Holliday posted that exact same OPS+ the system that removes park bias as Wright and Cabrera did an was behind only Pujols, Fielder and Jones. and of those hitters only one made the playoffs

Stellar lets face it you should probably join the BWAA or maybe Rawlings where your complete lack of understanding about baseball and statistics wouldn't be a detriment it would actually be a plus

[stellar]

WRONG.

CBP inflates HRs more, but Colorado is top 5 in runs, hits, 2B, and 3B. And that's only for 2007.

Maybe you have low expectations for a "bona fide star" but IMO stars are stars regardless of what stadium they're in. Holliday has shown that he's a mediocre player away from Coors. That's a fact.

He's certainly capable of winning an MVP because most of the people casting the votes are morons.

[erbacaine]

RoxChamps-
Coors does not inflate Homeruns...but it inflates BATTING AVERAGE.... because of the huge OF..
In most parks a short fly ball is an out.. at Coors it falls in Easily for a hit...even sometimes a double

[tr0mbone]

@hawkeyes12990

ummm actually It's Flint that's pretty bad but not the worst. I'd stop listening to Michael Moore.. his info is out of date. I would rather go to Detroit than New Orleans. http://www.crimetrends.com/id5.html

AL: A-Rod, Alex Rios
NL: Fielder, Holliday

[stellar]

Pogue... I won't stoop to your level of immaturity and foolishness.

"oh wait I am not a silly fanboy from a nasty polluted crime ridden eastern cesspool"

You seem like a really angry person. Is everything ok?

[Pogue009]

and Hawkeye a name that I take to mean that your are either A.an Iowa Native B.a fan of M*A*S*H or C. love James Fenimore Cooper None of those things qualify you as a denizen of an eastern cesspool so why are you being defensive?

Detroit may be crime ridden and may even be a cesspool but I will pull for anyone not on the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, or Mets. I might even add the Angels to that list just for all of those Edmonds highlights from ESPN

[yankssrule]

eastern cesspool???he most likely hasn't left the farm yet...one day buddy...one day...

I am a yankee fan and im not just picking A-rod 4 MVP because of that...he's a great player whos in his prime in the best linup in the league...

AL MVP: A-Rod
AL Runner Up: Manny or Markakis

NL MVP: Holliday
NL Runner Up: Ryan Howard or Prince Fielder

[phillyvic]

AL: Miguel Cabrera
NL: Chase Utley

[Land-Man]

"how bout Dontrelle?"

For CY Young? That's funnier than Andruw for MVP.

[dep258s]

A good Card's fan only picks Pujols for the NL and he is the best there is.
Cabrera seems like a good pick for the AL.

[JEWCY]

AL: Victor Martinez
NL: Aramis Ramirez

[AirmanSD]

Al MVP: A-rod
NL MVP: Prince Fielder... i think he has a chip on his shoulder...

AL cy young: Scott Kazmir
NL Cy Young: Santana, Peavy, Haren, Web, Oswalt. I cant pick.

[Joelcards]

IS THERE ANYONE WHO CONSIDERS DEFENSE IMPORTANT HERE? almost every single player mentioned is average to below average defensively. cmon guys. howard, fielder, manny, arod, holliday, hanley all players bad defensively. baseball is a two way game. if the brewers could play defense they would have made the playoffs last year.

[darkstar1661]

To those picking Manny because of his contract year; do you really think he will play enough games to win it? He generally takes most of the last month off at this point, and that should never win you the award. Or think of it this way ~ 2006 has been his best season by far over the last 5 years, but he finished 18th in MVP voting that year because he only played 130G / 449 AB. Even if he tears the hide off the ball, I think it would be hard to surpass that .321/.439/.619/1.058 line he produced in 2006 and if he doesn’t play 150-ish Games then he probably finishes 10-15 in voting…

I think:
AL ~ ARod / Ortiz / Sizemore
NL ~ Utley / Fielder / Adrian Gonzalez

[stellar]

@Joelcards

The guys you list as being bad defensive players are also incredible offensive players. Their offensive production makes up for any defensive shortcomings, and then some.

Do you really want to see a decent bat/decent glove guy win the MVP?

[Knuffy]

NL: Pujols
runnerup: Helton (help by playing in Coors)

AL: Jeter
runerup: Ortiz

[Pogue009]

oh yeah and playing against 4 of the top NL staffs in your division in 4 of the biggest pitchers park don't help road OPS either but you Mets and Cub fans wouldn't know anything about that because you have every National league team that gave up more 5 runs a game in your divisions. Florida gave up 5.5 runs a game over 160 runs more than the worst staff we faced in division

By the way Joelcards Holliday was listed as behind only Soriano in LF last year a defensive outfielder

Side note to stellar who led the Rockies in Runs, RBI, Triples, and Doubles last year?
Hint he was also in the top five in the NL in Extra-Base Hits, HRs, Hits, Doubles, Batting Average, Total Bases, and Slugging %

and to Yanks rule why don't you go walking through Canarsie or Jamaica, Queens tonight They'll pick your sorry behind up with a spatula tomorrow. I like the cesspools back east as a place to visit and all but can't see why anyone wants to share their yards with crackheads

[maximumpotential]

"AL: Robinson Cano
Runner Up: A-Rod

NL: Aramis Ramirez
Runner Up: Ryan Howard

Posted by: sudansensation | March 27, 2008 at 11:56 AM"

I've been saying Cano for months!

AL: Cano
Cabrera

NL:Braun
Beltran

[spencer_hong]

AL: Torii Hunter
Runner ups: Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Daisuke Matsuzaka

NL: Chase Utley
Runner ups: David Wright, Jose Reyes, Mark Teixiera

[Pogue009]

Joelcards the days of the Wizzard winning it are over, sadly. Ty Cobb said the Owners sold their souls to the longball but he had seen anything yet. Personally I think the Leagues ought to either both ban or implement the DH. There is to much disparity as it is.

[TigerFan54]

AL: Miguel Cabrera.
Runner up: Ortiz
A-rod gets hurt this year and opens the hole for another great 3B.

NL: Howard
Runner up: Fielder
Closely followed by: Andruw Jones... proving he deserved a big contract.

[Land-Man]

MVP candidates tend to bat over .300, which Andruw has accomplished all of once, in 2000 (.303).

[ry1982]

tr0mbone just for your information, that is just the homicide rate, not the total crime rate. detroit does have the highest crime rate in the city. just not the highest homicide rate. at least for 2006, which those numbers were for

[stellar]

I'm all for getting rid of the DH. Encourage kids to become multi-dimensional players instead of being too immobile to field a position.

Why have the DH? Because most pitchers can't hit? Why not have one set of players that hit, and one set of players that field? The best of both worlds, right?

[la16]

Wright and Reyes DO get too much airtime. I'd pick Zimmerman over Wright anyday of the week.

[hawkeyes12990]

no actually Im from the bronx..sooo yeah i do take offense..

[stellar]

Wright over Zimmerman?

Career OPS+
Wright: 138
Zimmerman: 113

Yeah Zim is probably a better fielder, but not good enough to overcome 25 points of OPS+.

[stellar]

Zimmerman over Wright? Come on, people...

Career OPS+
Wright: 138
Zimmerman: 113

Yeah Zim is probably a better fielder, but not good enough to overcome 25 points of OPS+.

[hawkeyes12990]

and i dont like mash and i dont know who james cooper is so yeah your completely wrong

[stellar]

ughhhh I HATE TYPEPAD

[Pogue009]

Hawkeye Pierce from MASH was named after The Pathfinder from Coopers book, Last of the Mohicans. Oh and if you live in the Bronx I can see why you would be defensive.

and Stellar glad to see you suddenly converted to OPS+ just in time to defend Wright.. Well Done.

Wright is a Masher with speed which is rare but he plays his road games against horrid teams with sub par expansion level pitching.
Zimmerman had to face a Mets staff that is really good and didn't get to face the Nationals staff.

They are both young but only time will tell who is better

[Pogue009]

the Type pad thing I completely agree with... See I don't have to be snarky all the time

[darkstar1661]

“Why have the DH? Because most pitchers can't hit?”

benefits the game on many levels:
a) it generally sucks watching pitchers hit, makes the game more interesting to casual fans with a DH. With pitchers hitting in both leagues, there would be twice as much “Walk the 8 hitter to K the 9th“ sightings…
b) creates another high-paying job. Players association wont allow it to go away
c) allows for real careers for some of the games best. Paul Molitor would have missed about 8 seasons of his HOF career if not for it, including those Toronto championship years. Would anyone even know the name of Edgar Martinez without a DH? There are quite a few guys which would have their careers cut in half, and we the fans would be worse off for it…
d) do you really want to have “a) pitchers hitting” coupled with guys like Ortiz and Hafner trying to take the field? People already complain so much about having to watch guys like Dunn and Burrell in the OF; think of Boston with Manny in Left and Ortiz at 1st…
e) Chicks dig the long ball…

[la16]

Give Zimmerman Beltran and Delgado in the Wash line-up and he'd be putting up the same #s as Wright.

[ry1982]

Barring injuries or proof of steroid use, A-rod hands down wins the AL MVP. I think the same for Aramis Ramirez in the NL, minus the steroid accusations. He has been really consistent and will have a breakout season. And his glove is underrated. he has much improved his fielding in the last 2.5 years.

[JitteryMcFrog]

AL: Sizemore
Runner-up: Vlad

NL: Wright
Runner-up: Utley

[ry1982]

i dont understand why pitchers cant hit. i played baseball all the way until college. and 95 percent of pitchers i played with and against until that point had no problem hitting and some were quite well at it. it seems as if it is cut off once they get to the minors. for the money they make and cnsidering they only have 2-3 AB's every 5 games, u think they would take BP like twice a wek to help their own cuase and the teams and the day they start. when carlos zambrano or mike hampton (although injured) come to the plate it is like an average DH coming to the plate.

[Pogue009]

I have posted this before but it is basically a list of guys who have played in Colorado in part of their prime. It doesn't prove everything but it does prove that when someone has to relearn to hit a curveball at sea level every road trip it messes them up nearly as much being at altitude helps them

I have heard a lot of talk about how Matt Holliday and Troy Tulowitzki's Home/Road split should have removed them from contention for awards but here are some numbers that makes me wonder
Mike Lansing
1997 Mon. BA.281 Home.297 Road.268
1998 Col. BA.276 Home.326 Road.225 43 point drop
Jeff Cirillo
1999 Mil. BA.326 Home.354 Road.304
2000 Col. BA.326 Home.403 Road.239 65 point drop
Larry Walker
1994 Mon. BA.322 Home.331 Road.314
1995 Col. BA.306 Home.343 Road.268 46 point drop
Eric Young
1996 Col. BA.324 Home.412 Road.219
1997 Col/LAD BA.280 Home.292 Road.270 a 51 point gain
1998 LAD BA.285 Home.314 Road.256 still in NL west
2000 CHC BA.297 Home.294 Road.299 in Brauns division an .80 road gain over EYs last full Colo season
Juan Pierre
2002 Col. BA.287 Home.328 Road.247
2003 Fla. BA.305 Home.318 Road.294 a 46 point gain
Joe Girardi
1995 Col. BA.262 Home.291 Road.228
1996 NYY. BA.294 Home.304 Road.284 a 56 point road gain
Walt Weiss
1997 Col. BA.270 Home.301 Road.235
1998 Atl. BA.280 Home.254 Road.319 a 84 point gain

If this was a one time thing I would think it didn't mean much but it seems that with very few exceptions players that leave Colorado have lower home but much higher road numbers

[The Globalizer]

I'm gonna say:

AL: David Ortiz
NL: Hanley Ramirez

Just because I have both on one of my fantasy teams.

[darkstar1661]

“I have posted this before but it is basically a list of guys who have played in Colorado in part of their prime.”

…Yes, you posted it before and it was pointed out to be extremely flawed and without a real point at that time. Your list just doesn’t make sense at all, and it misses a real point to begin with. If you insist on trying to make such an argument, then you will need to A) give more than just one years examples B) give more than just BA C) find comparable players ability wise D) account for age and playingtime both in and away from Col E) account for lg or division, etc… But really, in the end, the only thing you will really prove is that Holliday hits like Alex Rodriguez in Colorado and Andrew Jones everywhere else.

So please, just give it a rest already… Besides, this thread isnt "bitch about everyone else's picks" ~ this thread is "what are your picks". If you have something actually relevant to the tread (ie, my Manny/Playing-time info) then please feel free to share it; but whats the point of trying to prove Holliday would somehow completely change who he is and begin to hit much better on the road when he signs with the Mets or whatever?

[Dashiz008]

NL: Prince Fielder

AL: Manny Ramierez

You can see all my predictions on my blog here: http://sportsspice.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-couldnt-wait-here-is-is-baseball.html

[Pogue009]

Dark I appreciate your lack of Interest again with the more than one year? How many years do you need I will do it. Every single player on that list posted their worst Road BA and OPS as a Rockie the Same is true for Ellis Burks, Preston Wilson, and just about everyone who ever played here not name Jeremy Burnitz.

But since you already "Know" that Coors is the reason why any Rockies player is great, I guess that removes you from needing to prove it.

As for Mannys playing time yeah I agree that it most likely rules him out as an MVP candidate, and believe that that while the AL may be Strong teamwise individually the NL has more true Superstars.

p.s. Why does everyone think that moving from the NL to the AL will mess up Miggy, it didn't bother Pedro at all.

[scatterbrian]

@Joelcards: The MVP is typically voted on based on offensive numbers....and it's pretty rare that defense plays a role, unless the vote is for a DH....considering that, I really don't see David Ortiz winning the MVP.

Generally the MVP usually comes from a winning/contending team, so I think we can eliminate guys like Hanley, Zimmerman, Markakis and Hamilton.

[Gleebo]

You guys just wasted 100 posts on worthless guessing. Here's what happens

AL MVP: Ben Grieve - OAK

NL MVP: Ben Grieve - CHC

And for fun before it gets brought up my winners of 2008 Cy Young.

AL CY: Todd Van Poppel- OAK

NL CY: Ben Grieve - CHC

So in summary Ben Grieve pulls of the unthinkable winning ROY/CY/MVP in the National League. He falls short in the AL though because of Van Poppel's W-L record of 42-1 and an ERA of 0.21 with 485 K's for the season. But he is able to salvage MVP and ROY somehow in the AL as well.

Ben Grieve makes Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson look like fools. Instead of trying 2 sports at the same time he tries two leagues at the same time by playing for both the Cubs and Athletics in the same season. I won't tell you his stats because you will all start screaming HGH which is foolish because GODS dont need performance enhancing drugs. Needless to say he shatters the single season HR record and bats well over .400.

Folks this will be an incredible season for MLB. Trust me.

[fgsfsfbbbrd]

Coco Crisp!
and Jayson Nix!!

kidding of course.
im thinking
AL: Papi
NL: Tulowitzki?

[fgsfsfbbbrd]

Gleebo...are YOU ben grieve? because i think we may be thinking two different people...

[ToddSF]

Absolutely cracks me up seeing someone pickng a player from DETROIT for MVP while calling the other east coast cities a "cesspool". Anyone here ever been to Detroit?? HAHAHAHAHA!

The defense rests.

[Pogue009]

Detroit is a cesspool but the point was Miggy is going to win it without The Eastern Sports Popoff Network backing him

[scribbletone]

I'm gonna say that this is the year of the young stud third baseman.

AL
Winner: Miguel Cabrera
Runner Up: Alex Rodriguez
NL
Winner: David Wright
Runner Up: Alfonso Soriano

[Bleacher_Buddha]

NL - Matt Murton

Gets traded to Twins

AL - Matt Murton

Serously..

NL - David Wright or Chris Young

AL - Justin Morneau or Vernon Wells (I know they arent on contenders but..)

[scribbletone]

Bleacer Buddha, i gotta ask you about how you think Chris Young could win the MVP. The guy had a .296 OBP last year in the leadoff spot. He may hit 30 homers again, but I would be utterly, utterly shocked if Chris Young won the MVP. And after the brutal year Vernon Wells had last year, it'd be quite the bounce back for him to win MVP. They'd HAVE to make the playoffs for Wells to win MVP.

[Bleacher_Buddha]

Chris Young from San Diego.

But this is all speculation. So who knows...

Why does a team have to make the playoffs to win the MVP? Larry Walker, Ryan Howard, and Bonds have done it.

And last I checked it was what you do this year, not what you did last year. So what does it matter what anyone did the year before?

[ehaz]

AL:
1) Manny
2) A-Rod
3) Vlad or Central Difference maker

NL:
1) Holliday
2) Wright
3) Santana

* If not for the injury Pujols would be up there, I don't think he can win without being 100% and I don't think he is

[Lockie]

I'm convinced Cano is going to be very very close this year. But ARod and Cabrera are clear favourites.

NL? No real idea to be honest so no point pretending I do - could be one of about 50.

[Santana/Beckett FTW]

I'm going to go with David Ortiz for my AL pick, not cause I'm a Sox fan and not for the reason most others have said. he put up (off the top of my head) .325ish 30ish hr and 125ish rbi's with a severely injured knee. Healthy, these could increase to .333 40-45 homers 130-145 rbi, along with a very high OBP. I don't expect arod to top .320 40-130 this year. so those numbers could keep ortiz in MVP talks. there is of course the fact that he's a DH that always lowers him in MVP talks.
so AL mvp:ortiz
runner up: a-rod or cabrera

NL hands down Prince Fielder. because i dont expect as much from the rockies next season, i dont think holladay will have the opportunities at rbi's that he did last season. lets remember, he compiled the majority of his stats in the last month. rollins will return to the turd he is under ryan howard (sorry rollis fans, cant stand him). runner up i see being ryan howard or david wright.
NL MVP: prince fielder
runners up ryan howard, david wright.

[FyreKnight]

Hmmm... Being a NL East Fan, its very hard to choose - but here it goes..

2008 NL MVP - Chase Utley
runners up: Ryan Howard, David Wright, Matt Holiday, Jimmy Rollins

2008 AL MVP - A-Rod
Runners up: Manny / Cabrera

2008 NL Cy Young:
Santana / Hamels / Peavy

2008 AL Cy Youmg:
Dice K / Verlander / Sabathia

[scribbletone]

bleacherbuddha, the reason that the Blue Jays have to make the playoffs for Wells to win the MVP has nothing to do with Wells' crappy 2007. The guys you listed that won MVP's on nonplayoff teams, Bonds, Howard and Walker, all put up incredible numbers. Bonds and Walker had stunning OPS's and Howard had his 58 homers. There is no way in hell that Wells is capable of putting up numbers so stunning that he'd win an MVP. He'd have to have a great year on a playoff team, because he's not capable of putting up the historic numbers needed to win an MVP on a non-playoff team.

[Joelcards]

guys u dont have to sacrifice offense for a good defensive player. pujols won the gold glove a couple years ago. he may play a relatively easy position but he works hard at his defense. david wright is a great two way player, he just has too many other good players on his team. 04 scott rolen. great offense and great defense. i dont see the AL guys enough so i wont comment on their defense. also no reason to do away with the dh, just no dh should win mvp. a player who only plays half the game, regardless of how much he hits doesnt deserve the most valuable player.

[1quik6]

"Chicks dig the long ball…" The most important statement to date.

The Ben Grieve love was hilarious.
I can't believe how much east coast bias there is on here. I'll predict an Oakland sweep in the AL...
MVP - Cust (simply based on his defense)
CY - Harden (seriously.... if he can make 30 starts)
ROY - Barton (100 BB, 100 R, 40 2B)

NL - I like Ryan Howard, but can a guy win the MVP with 200+ strikeouts?

[1quik6]

On second thought, if the A's decide to hide Cust at DH, he'll never win.
I'll go with ManRam.

[1quik6]

Oh, and Mike Sweeney for Comeback Player of the Year.

[Gleebo]

I sadly am not Ben Grieve...I just remember going nuts when I got his Rookie Card back in my card collecting days. Also I remember the Van Poppel Rookie card being worth upwards of $30 at one point.

Amazing how much of a long running history Oakland has had with young talent....although not all of it panned out as well as some.

I really can't think of many franchises in the past 25 years that have produced that many stars. Even though many of them ended up elsewhere you have got to credit the people in charge of player scouting and development as the best in the business.

[Gleebo]

I think Daric Barton is an excellent choice for ROY. He's gonna be overshadowed by some flashy names but he's in a situation where there isn't a ton of pressure to be an immediate superstar since the A's aren't expected to be that great this season.

But like everyone says, if Harden can even make 25 starts this team could make a little noise on Seattle and the Angels if they let their guard down as the season goes.

[ArodMVP217]

AL MVP: Alejandro Rodriguez
Runners up: Cabrera, ManRam at 154 games and Sizemore
Dark Horses: Rios, Cano y Vladdy
AL ROY: Barton o billy butler
AL CY: Verlander
CY runners: kaz, CC, Harden

NL MVP: Mark Teixeira
Runners up: Wright, Fielder, Soriano
Dark Horses: Utley, HanRam, Pujols y RJBraun
NL ROY: Geovanny Soto
NL CY: Peavy
NL Runners: Big Z, Santana and Webb

[ArodMVP217]

flashy names like jacoby, joba, kennedy, buckholtz (they hate it when i spell it like that), et al

[Bleacher_Buddha]

Scribbletone,

Your right, how silly of me to suggest something that is out of line with Arod or Miguel Cabraera. That he might have a good year, a very good year.

I just realized he is 30 so he is way past his prime.

[leeler]

scribbletone: you also forgot Andre Dawson who was not just a non-playoff team....but a horrid team.

there is no reason a DH should ever win a MVP.

Predictions:
AL MVP:MANNY RAMIREZ
NL MVP:ALFONSO SORIANO

[RoxRChamps]

Santana/BeckettFTW, Holliday had a monster Sept/October, no doubt, but he was pretty consistant for the rest of the year too. No month had less than 19 RBI, never had a month hitting under .287, and was hitting dingers in every month too. But if you want to think the Rockies won't be any good, be my guest. Let us surprise you again. I'm sure when we do, we'll be called a fluke again

[scribbletone]

I'm surprised people are so optimistic about Manny bouncing back big time.

[Milburn26]

Let’s stir the pot.

AL - Brian Roberts
NL - Mark DeRosa

AL - Somebody whose last name ends with a “Z”
NL - Somebody whose last name ends with a “Z” or a vowel

RobertZ and DeRo may be yet be for real.

I didn’t realize the number of potential players plus surprises.

[hollidayrain]

I'm thinkin:

AL: Miguel Cabrera (RIDICULOUS lineup will more than counter that ballpark)
Runners up: ARod and Hafner
Rookie: Evan Longoria
Breakout: Delmon Young/Josh Hamilton
Comeback: Mike Sweeney

NL: Matt Holliday (Fantastic lineup; and don't give me that Coors Field crap. If Holliday is denied the MVP, then Francis should get the CY Young by the same logic!)
Runners up: Wright, Utley, Howard, Fielder, and Braun.
Rookie: Franklin Morales
Breakout: Wily Mo Peña
Comeback: Andruw Jones

[Santana/Beckett FTW]

I'm by no means taking away from holliday the amazing season he had. that having been said hitting (.350ish?) with (10-15 hrs) and (30ish rbi) in a month and change is more than a slight rise from
.287 6-8hr 16-20rbis. He was consistantly good with numbers around there, not consistantly mvp though. Also understand that I am not hating on holliday but more-so on his team. in order to put up those monster numbers you need runners on base, momentum in the inning, opportunities at sac fly's etc. I don't think the rockies have the offense short of holliday to allow him to replicate those numbers. Look at the season kevin millar had on the red sox because every time he got a hit there were runners on base.
I hope the rockies do put up a good fight this year. I'd expect them 3rd in that division this year though. maybe fighting for second, but not wild card. phillies or braves will win wild card, hands down.

[Wright4President]

AL:Miguel Cabrera. with a .321 avg, 36 HR, and 109 RBI

NL:David Wright with .333 avg, 35 HR, 115 RBIs, 40 SB

[ArodMVP217]

36 hrs, 109 rbis and 4 steals wins al mvp?

you know where i stand

and a dh will never win the mvp; sad but true since all mvp voters really only weigh is offensive achievements