AL MVP: Cabrera or Trout

AL MVP: Cabrera or Trout

  • Trout

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Cabrera

    Votes: 49 72.1%
  • a:2:{i:1705;a:5:{s:12:"polloptionid";i:1705;s:6:"nodeid";s:7:"2882160";s:5:"title";s:5:"Trout";s:5:"

    Votes: 19 27.9%

  • Total voters
    68
  • Poll closed .

greyhammer90

the drunk piano player
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Braves, gotta root for Chipper.

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SaltyND24

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My two cents on RBI's...Trout would be significantly closer in that number if he weren't hitting leadoff...Also, this discussion makes me think of how we all would view an MVP coming from the NFC West a few years back when the division winner finished with a 7-9 record...It shouldnt be about the Tigers winning a weak Central division (thanks to a White Sox collapse) that puts Cabrera over the top because they are really the 7th best team in the AL...Plus, Mark Trumbo absolutely $hit the bed after the all-star break and the Angels' bullpen easily gave up 6+ games this season...Personally, I wont be upset either way, but the playoff argument is played out.
 

gkautz10

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My two cents on RBI's...Trout would be significantly closer in that number if he weren't hitting leadoff...Also, this discussion makes me think of how we all would view an MVP coming from the NFC West a few years back when the division winner finished with a 7-9 record...It shouldnt be about the Tigers winning a weak Central division (thanks to a White Sox collapse) that puts Cabrera over the top because they are really the 7th best team in the AL...Plus, Mark Trumbo absolutely $hit the bed after the all-star break and the Angels' bullpen easily gave up 6+ games this season...Personally, I wont be upset either way, but the playoff argument is played out.

I was just about to make that point about RBI's. If people think RBI's are such a tell tale sign of a players productivity, then a lead off hitter, especially a lead off hitter in the NL should never be in the debate for MVP. Of course he is going to have significantly lower RBI output than someone who hits 4th in an order. That is why I tend to agree that RBI stats are a mute point when it comes to a debate on who should win MVP. A more useful stat that would be a more fair comparison would be runs created. WAR is also quite relevant in this case because it takes stats out that are out of a players control such as RBI's. Here is an article in TIME that backs me (and the others that have the same argument) up. Miguel Cabrera May Win The Triple Crown. But Is Mike Trout The AL MVP? | Keeping Score | TIME.com
 

ACamp1900

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To the topic of the thread... can't be angry either way... anyone who thinks it is clear cut is pretty well fooling themselves...
 

Nothingman

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What is so difficult about this argument is that Cabrera and Trout are such different players. It's comparing apples to oranges.

Cabrera is a 3B batting third expected to hit for power and drive in runs. Trout is a CF batting leadoff expected to get on base and score runs. Which do you put a premium on?

In the end I think Trout takes it. I don't think anyone has seen a player like him before (At least I haven't). Plus there is already a precedent for Triple Crown winners not winning the MVP: Chuck Klein 1933, Lou Gehrig 1934, Ted Williams in 1942 & 1947. Justice would be if they could both win.
 
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ohara831

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I think Trout will have the better overall career when it is all said and done. But for this season, Cabrera is my MVP. Triple Crown has not been done in 45 years. And I dont care about who Cabrera has around him and saying that takes anything away from the feat. There have been many great players with terrific lineups of hitting #2- #5. And it hasn't been done since Yaz in 1967. To me, this is a terrific year to say I witnessed this feat. I was only 2 when Yaz did it, so I dont have any recollection of it. This time, I can say I saw Cabrera play several games during this remarkable feat. And if it was really close for me, the fact that Cabrera got hot and helped the Tigers make the playoffs, and the Angels are going home, that closes the deal for me.
 

ACamp1900

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What is so difficult about this argument is that Cabrera and Trout are such different players. It's comparing apples to oranges.

Cabrera is a 3B batting third expected to hit for power and drive in runs. Trout is a CF batting leadoff expected to get on base and score runs. Which do you put a premium on?

In the end I think Trout takes it. I don't think anyone has seen a player like him before (At least I haven't). Plus there is already a precedent for Triple Crown winners not winning the MVP: Chuck Klein 1933, Lou Gehrig 1934, Ted Williams in 1942 & 1947. Justice would be if they could both win.

I'm pretty much here... as an Angels fan I saw how Trout turned the Halos around almost from day one, remember he missed the first month when the Angels were the worst team in baseball, or among the worst... but I'm not about to argue against MG either... congrats to both.
 

EddytoNow

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Both had MVP type years, but Cabrera accomplished something that hasn't occurred in well over a generation. Cabrera by a landslide.
 

Ironman8

Jaqen H'ghar
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Both had MVP type years, but Cabrera accomplished something that hasn't occurred in well over a generation. Cabrera by a landslide.

Trout accomplished something that has NEVER been done. #Justsaying
 

Pops Freshenmeyer

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Carried me to my IE fantasy baseball crown. Back to back titles for this guy. #cantstopwontstoprememberthename

I realize nobody cares about other peoples' fantasy teams but...

I have an auction keeper league with a simple $4 step up for each player kept each year. I got Trout and Harper for $1 each.
 

ohara831

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Winning a Triple Crown has never been a guarantee MVP before. Why should it be now?

It's not a guarantee. Just one important factor. Same as the fact that Cabrera got hot down the stretch and helped lead his team into the Playoffs. Trout slowed up a bit, and the Angels are sitting at home. Trout had a terrific year, but he will be 2nd in the MVP voting.
 

Mr. Larson

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Winning a Triple Crown has never been a guarantee MVP before. Why should it be now?

From 1922-1967 there were 11 Triple crown winners (45 years). It's been 45 years since we've seen the last one. I said in the Triple Crown thread that I didn't think I would see a Triple Crown in my lifetime. Maybe I'm living in the stone age (still think RBI's are important and not a product of luck), but to me the Triple Crown is too big of an accomplishment to give the MVP to anyone but Cabrera.

45 years from now no one will remember what Trout's WAR was when he was 20.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/01-2pNCZiNk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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It's not a guarantee. Just one important factor. Same as the fact that Cabrera got hot down the stretch and helped lead his team into the Playoffs. Trout slowed up a bit, and the Angels are sitting at home. Trout had a terrific year, but he will be 2nd in the MVP voting.

The Angels would have been eliminated in August without Trout. His WAR and other sabremetrics prove that.
 

Sherm Sticky

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I voted for Cabrera, but I'm surprised he is running away with this poll. I hope the real voters do the same.
 
C

Cackalacky

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Triple Crown. Nuf said. I love the gnat's a$$ analysis though.
 
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clashmore_mike

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Wait, did the Angels have the better record in a tougher division? Did they not have the best record in the AL while the MVP candidate was on the team?

Sure, they also finished 3rd in their division and missed the playoffs. The same spot they would have been in had he not played a game. Where would Detroit be without Cabrera carrying them the last two months? Pretty safe to say they wouldn't be anywhere near the playoffs.

Bottom line, both of them had unbelievably rare seasons. Trout is going to be good for a long time as long as he stays healthy. I don't think Cabrera should win it just because he won the Triple Crown. Getting your team into the playoffs has to mean something.
 
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Sure, they also finished 3rd in their division and missed the playoffs. The same spot they would have been in had he not played a game. Where would Detroit be without Cabrera carrying them the last two months? Pretty safe to say they wouldn't be anywhere near the playoffs.

Bottom line, both of them had unbelievably rare seasons. Trout is going to be good for a long time as long as he stays healthy. I don't think Cabrera should win it just because he won the Triple Crown. Getting your team into the playoffs has to mean something.

Except the Angels are better than the Tigers and the Tigers are lucky they are in a terrible division.
 

woolybug25

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Except the Angels are better than the Tigers and the Tigers are lucky they are in a terrible division.

I disagree. I think the Tigers are better and I also think that regardless of how it shook out, Cabrera's team is in the playoffs and Trout's is not. Even if Trout meant more to his team, the end result was golfing in October. Cabrera's team is still rolling, and his play is the biggest reason why.
 
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