MLB Award Winners for 2014

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Regardless of whether or not Kershaw gets the MVP, he is the MVP

AL MVP- Mike Trout
NL MVP- Clayton Kershaw
AL CY Young- Kluber
NL Cy Young- Clayton Kershaw
AL Rookie of the Year- Jose Abreu
NL Rookie of the Year - no idea
...and I'll add: AL Manager of the Year - Lloyd McClendon

Regarding the AL Cy Young, we are going to the Mariners' season-ender with Felix pitching...we are hoping the game counts and McClendon lets him pitch. I'm hoping he tosses a gem and edges out Kluber. McClendon is too practical, though - if the game doesn't count, but Kluber has a slight edge, I still don't think Felix gets his start.

Love seeing the Seattle guy chose Kluber! I've been watching him all year here in Cleveburg, and he's been incredible. Personally, I think it all hinges on their last starts; right now I'd call it a toss-up and Felix has the name.

As for this personal race, it's a good thing Kluber is pitching tonight. If the Tribe gets eliminated today, Klube doesn't pitch tomorrow or Sunday.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

Love seeing the Seattle guy chose Kluber! I've been watching him all year here in Cleveburg, and he's been incredible. Personally, I think it all hinges on their last starts; right now I'd call it a toss-up and Felix has the name.

As for this personal race, it's a good thing Kluber is pitching tonight. If the Tribe gets eliminated today, Klube doesn't pitch tomorrow or Sunday.

It will be a very interesting finish. I just hope Felix pitches Sunday and has to perform to earn the Cy Young. You know - a no-hitter!

[earlywynnfan]

One thing I look for is how they perform at the end of the season, with playoff hopes on the line. Kluber's last 5 starts: 5-0, 1.12 ERA.

I know Felix had a crummy start recently, and that was my knock against him when he won the CY a couple years ago. If he can step up and pitch a great game Sunday, with playoffs on the line, this vote should be VERY interesting!

[clydepepper]

NL Cy Young - Kershaw (but not unanimously...Cueto, Wainwright)
NL MVP- Kershaw or MCutcheon (with a nod to Harrison)
NL ROY- Alex Wood, Braves (on a bad team with a good pitching staff, he was the best for them in the second half) (11-11, 2.78, 170K)

AL Cy Young - Greg Holland- followed closely by Kluber, Felix, Weaver, Scherzer

AL MVP- Trout or Victor Martinez (only because Trout leads the MAJORS in strikeouts* and his BA is about to drop under .290)

AL Rookie- Abreu (should be unanimous)

* Strikeouts, in spite of their overwhelming acceptance, are wasted, unproductive ABs - and do nothing to help the team. When you strikeout close to 1/3 of your ABs, you can't be MVP unanimously. IMO
?
There was talk on the radio broadcast that MLB may be considering restricting the use of defensive shifts because they are worried about the drop in offense. How ridiculous is that?!

That drop is caused by everyone being pull-crazy and trying to hit over the shift instead of away from it. If players would get back to hitting the ball up the middle or at least going with where it is pitched, offenses would pick up. It should also be noted that as the strikeouts rise, bases-on-balls have fallen. Another skill young players aren't being taught anymore.
?

[Stetson_1883]

I'm pulling for Kluber as he went to my alma mater, Stetson University.

It's amazing how this guy basically came out of no where.

[rats60]

NL MVP McCutchen
NL CY Kershaw
NL ROY deGrom

AL MVP Trout
AL CY Kluber
AL ROY Abreu

[the 'stache]

No way does McCutchen get the MVP again. He won it last year, and last year was a gift. One of the statistically worse seasons by an MVP winner in the last 40 years. I mean he didn't lead the league in a single category.

2013 .317, 97 runs, 21 HR, 84 RBI. 911 OPS
2014 .314, 88 runs, 25 HR, 82 RBI, .953 OPS

He leads in OBP and OPS this year, but that's still not an MVP season. The OPS is nice, but the old fashioned stats are nothing special. I really like Andrew McCutchen, but are we just going to start handing out the award to guys who have good seasons? Paul Goldschmidt deserved it last year, and either Kershaw or Stanton deserves it this year.

Kershaw 21-3, 1.77 ERA, 6 CG, 239 K, 10.8 K/9 IP, 7.71:1 K:BB

That's about as dominant as it gets.

[majordanby]

goldschmidt didnt win it last year because his team didnt make the playoffs. the BBWA value players with "good" seasons that make the playoffs more than players with better numbers (gold had a nice year, but his numbers were not jump out of the page spectacular) but whose team stunk.

some will defend mccutchen's mvp award last year because he plays a more demanding position (center field), plays good defense at that position, has value on the basepaths, and his non traditional stats are a better reflection of his overall value to the team (e.g. WAR).

Originally Posted by the 'stache

No way does McCutchen get the MVP again. He won it last year, and last year was a gift. One of the statistically worse seasons by an MVP winner in the last 40 years. I mean he didn't lead the league in a single category.

2013 .317, 97 runs, 21 HR, 84 RBI. 911 OPS
2014 .314, 88 runs, 25 HR, 82 RBI, .953 OPS

He leads in OBP and OPS this year, but that's still not an MVP season. The OPS is nice, but the old fashioned stats are nothing special. I really like Andrew McCutchen, but are we just going to start handing out the award to guys who have good seasons? Paul Goldschmidt deserved it last year, and either Kershaw or Stanton deserves it this year.

Kershaw 21-3, 1.77 ERA, 6 CG, 239 K, 10.8 K/9 IP, 7.71:1 K:BB

That's about as dominant as it gets.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by majordanby

goldschmidt didnt win it last year because his team didnt make the playoffs. the BBWA value players with "good" seasons that make the playoffs more than players with better numbers (gold had a nice year, but his numbers were not jump out of the page spectacular) but whose team stunk.

some will defend mccutchen's mvp award last year because he plays a more demanding position (center field), plays good defense at that position, has value on the basepaths, and his non traditional stats are a better reflection of his overall value to the team (e.g. WAR).

I understand why Goldschmidt didn't win it. The main reason that Braun didn't win it in 2012 was because the Brewers didn't make the playoffs. I don't think the positive test in 2011 had as much of an impact as people let on. He was tested a lot more in 2012, and had no injuries that would necessitated anything to accelerate healing. His numbers overall were better than they were in 2011 when he did win it, though his WAR was a little lower because he wasn't as good in the outfield. Braun was chasing his own Triple Crown until the last week of the season. Ultimately it was the batting average that cost him, as he ended up third in batting. He lost the RBI title on the last day of the season when Headley got 2 more RBI. Braun ended up leading the NL In runs scored, home runs, OPS and total bases. Buster Posey won the batting title and led the NL in OPS +. And he had the same kind of narrative McCutchen would have in 2013, the feel good story. Posey was coming back from that terrible broken leg when he had his MVP season. McCutchen won it in large part because the Pirates were making the playoffs for the first time in forever.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

One thing I look for is how they perform at the end of the season, with playoff hopes on the line. Kluber's last 5 starts: 5-0, 1.12 ERA.

I know Felix had a crummy start recently, and that was my knock against him when he won the CY a couple years ago. If he can step up and pitch a great game Sunday, with playoffs on the line, this vote should be VERY interesting!

Did you see where McClendon got Torre to actually lower Felix' ERA? They reversed a bunt hit to an error on Felix, taking off 4 ER's from last Tuesday's start - dropped his ERA from 2.34 to 2.17

That, and performing today, could be big. The Rangers/A's game starts 1 hr before the Mariners.

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Did you see where McClendon got Torre to actually lower Felix' ERA? They reversed a bunt hit to an error on Felix, taking off 4 ER's from last Tuesday's start - dropped his ERA from 2.34 to 2.17

That, and performing today, could be big. The Rangers/A's game starts 1 hr before the Mariners.

Well, Felix did the same thing Kluber did: pitch an awesome last game trying to get his team into the playoffs.

I have not looked up any of Felix's starts, so I'm not able to make a fair, impartial judgement, but in Kluber's 9 losses his offense scored 18 runs. That just sucks for any pitcher.

Again, this should be about the closest CY vote I've seen in a long time!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

Well, Felix did the same thing Kluber did: pitch an awesome last game trying to get his team into the playoffs.

I have not looked up any of Felix's starts, so I'm not able to make a fair, impartial judgement, but in Kluber's 9 losses his offense scored 18 runs. That just sucks for any pitcher.

Again, this should be about the closest CY vote I've seen in a long time!

Felix was untouchable today - ended up winning the ERA title at 2.14. Kluber is the strikeouts king, and won/lost is close to a draw, with win % edge to Felix.

Definitely the only two in the mix. Tough call.

I picked up a game-used ball today: Trout foul ball off Felix during a strikeout at bat. Cy Young pitch to MVP would be a good game souvenir.

I am getting refunded $600 for playoff tickets - yippee!!!

[Runscott]

Hopefully, here are two of them. Pics from centerfield: Felix warming up before the game, Trout during the game.

Also, pic of Michael Saunders hitting his first double, which went 'through' Trout. Tough catch for anyone, but Trout makes it normally.

[Stetson_1883]

I just have to give props to my alma mater Stetson University for having two of their products win some prestigious post season awards.

Congrats Jacob DeGrom and Corey Kluber!

[mart8081]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

Well, Felix did the same thing Kluber did: pitch an awesome last game trying to get his team into the playoffs.

I have not looked up any of Felix's starts, so I'm not able to make a fair, impartial judgement, but in Kluber's 9 losses his offense scored 18 runs. That just sucks for any pitcher.

Again, this should be about the closest CY vote I've seen in a long time!

Will start this by saying both had excellent seasons.

Run Support per game for the two across the entire season:

Kluber 4.35
Hernandez 4.29

Fairly close but a lot of the run support for Felix came in only a few games (run support in 5 of those 15 wins were 10, 12, 10, 12 and 11). That emans of the 146 runs Seattle scored with Felix in the game 55 came in five starts - the ramining 29 starts he received 91 runs of support or 3.13 per game. hence you need to consider:

Three no-decisions in games in which he allowed zero runs.
Four no-decisions and a loss when he allowed one run.
Two no-decisions and two losses when he allowed two runs.

So zero wins and three losses in those nine games. You could expect to win 7+ of those starts with no losses - so his win line could read 22-3. Edge Felix?

WHIP = a wide margin:

Kluber 1.09
Hernandez 0.92

Hernandez has the lower ERA (even with the tampering this week).

There was also the MLB record 16 game streak of 7 IP of 3 or less runs scored.

I would be stunned if Kluber won.

[earlywynnfan]

I wouldn't consider .06 runs per game "fairly close." What's that, 2 runs over the entire season?

Kluber had 7 games of 2 runs or less where he got 2 losses and 5 ND's, including the famous Ryan Raburn game.

And don't forget many people's darling stat right now: WAR. Kluber is 3rd in the entire league, tops for pitchers, a full game over Felix at 7.5 to 6.4.

Kluber's ERA+ is also lower, which adjusts for park differentials. (Seattle is a MUCH better pitcher's park than Tribe Stadium.)

I think Felix gets it because the stats are so close and Felix has the history. But I'd be stunned if it isn't close.

Ken

PS: By the way, Seattle fans, we got Kluber's seasons for over $22,000,000 less than you got Felix's!! I have to taunt you now, because in a couple of years, we won't be able to afford Kluber and he'll be pitching for the yankees or Angels.

[howard38]

Originally Posted by mart8081

Will start this by saying both had excellent seasons.

Run Support per game for the two across the entire season:

Kluber 4.35
Hernandez 4.29

Fairly close but a lot of the run support for Felix came in only a few games (run support in 5 of those 15 wins were 10, 12, 10, 12 and 11). That emans of the 146 runs Seattle scored with Felix in the game 55 came in five starts - the ramining 29 starts he received 91 runs of support or 3.13 per game. hence you need to consider:

Three no-decisions in games in which he allowed zero runs.
Four no-decisions and a loss when he allowed one run.
Two no-decisions and two losses when he allowed two runs.

So zero wins and three losses in those nine games. You could expect to win 7+ of those starts with no losses - so his win line could read 22-3. Edge Felix?

WHIP = a wide margin:

Kluber 1.09
Hernandez 0.92

Hernandez has the lower ERA (even with the tampering this week).

There was also the MLB record 16 game streak of 7 IP of 3 or less runs scored.

I would be stunned if Kluber won.

Hernandez's streak was even better than that...it was two runs or less. Amazing but I still wouldn't be surprised if Kluber won.

[majordanby]

what a way to end the season for kluber - that's how you leave a lasting impression.

[novakjr]

AL MVP: Trout...I do think Vmart should win it(despite the DH factor), and Nelson Cruz should get some serious consideration(we'll see how the suspension last year effects the votes for him). BUT I do think it will be given to Trout. Possibly based on his last 3 seasons, because based on this season alone it's really up in the air..
AL CY: Felix...Although I'm seriously rooting for Kluber to get it. And would like Jon Lester to get a little more credit than he's been getting..
AL ROY: Abreu, with Tanaka right there.. I'd really like a separate award for these import pseudo-rookies though, so it can be given to a true rookie...
NL MVP: I really think Kershaw will get it... but I'm not sure how to view Stanton. Will missing this past month hurt him? OR will the voters show some sympathy after getting hit in the face? Which also pretty much ended any chance MIA had of a playoff push, so you really can't pull the non-contender card, because they were contending.
NL CY: DUH!!! Kershaw, anyone even thinking about anyone else is kidding themselves..
NL ROY: Degrom would get it from me. Although I'm not really sure how the voters will treat Hamilton. Sure his SBs are nice, but he's seemingly fallen off a cliff, and is really proving to pretty much be a one trick pony...