2012 National League Most Valuable Player Debate

Hello everybody,

Today I am going to look at the top contenders for the National League's Most Valuable Player Award. This season is full of contenders for the award, but there isn't one guy that truly stands out in my mind. It seems as though nobody really wants to win this thing.

For this post, I'm going to discuss the pros and cons of the top contenders.

1. Ryan Braun, Outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers

PROS: Ryan Braun's 2012 season is turning out to be better than his 2011 MVP season, and he having this kind of season without Prince Fielder hitting behind him. That is impressive. As of today, he is leading the NL in home runs (40), first in OPS (.989), first in slugging (.602), second in RBI (103), fifth in average (.314), he has stolen 24 bases, and he has played an extraordinary left field. He has also been a huge part of the Milwaukee Brewers late season surge toward the second wild card spot. If the Crew happen to make the playoffs, it would be difficult to imagine Braun NOT winning his second consecutive Most Valuable Player trophy in 2012.

CONS: The main argument against Ryan Braun winning the MVP is simple: Major League Baseball and the sportswriters do not want him to win the award again after the fiasco revolving around his supposed failed drug test and subsequent successful appeal due to improper handling of the specimens. While its true that his confidentiality was breached in this matter, and the general public should never had discovered this information, the fact of the matter is that we do know. Also, many believe that Matt Kemp should have won the award last season anyway, so sportswriters, as they always do, try to punish a guy based on moral judgments.

In my opinion, that's hogwash! Be that as it may, Ryan Braun's candidacy for this award in severely handicapped. The only hope that he has to win is if the Milwaukee Brewers make the postseason, and I have a sneaking suspicion that MLB does not want that to occur.



2. Buster Posey, Catcher, San Francisco Giants

PROS: Over the last several weeks, Buster Posey has become the "golden boy" of media hype in terms of him winning the 2012  NL MVP, and they have a great argument. Posey has had an excellent comeback season from his devastating injury in 2011. The Giants had stated that they wanted to limit his innings at catcher, but have actually played him far more than they anticipated. In addition, he is the main reason the Giants did not miss a beat after the suspension of Melky Cabrera. While he is adequate on defense, his offensive numbers are impressive considering his workload. He is second in the NL in batting (.333), seventh in RBI (93), third in OPS (.952), and has hit 22 home runs while playing in 133 games behind the plate. That is impressive! He is a legitimate threat to win this award especially is the Giants finish strong to win their division.

CONS: While his offensive numbers are pretty great, he is nowhere near a gold glove caliber catcher. I am not saying that he is a liability, but he isn't even the best catcher in the league. If you compare him to St. Louis Cardinal catcher Yadier Molina, you see two similar players. Molina is hitting a cool .320 with 19 homers while playing towards another gold glove. The statistics that help Posey's argument is that he has knocked in significantly more runs than Molina and has a slightly higher OBS.

Right or wrong, I believe that with Ryan Braun's issues with PED's, Posey will get significant consideration for this award.

3. Andrew McCutchen, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates

PROS: If you were naming the NL MVP for the first half of the season, then Andrew McCutchen would have won the award unanimously. Not only was he the main reason behind the resurrection of the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, but he made an entire fan base believe they could win. While the Pirates have falters in the second half, he has had a very strong overall season. If you don't count Melky Cabrera (and I don't), then he is leading the league in batting (.343), first in hits (182), first in runs scored (100), second in OBS (.981), third in slugging (.569), tenth in RBI (88), ninth in homers (28) while playing a stellar center field for the Pirates. I think that he is a legitimate threat to be the first Pirates since Barry Bonds won the award in 1992.

CONS: Since the All-Star game, the Pirates have stunk! Andrew McCutchen has been a big reason why the Pirates have been on the decline. Over the last thirty days, McCutchen has batted .272, 4 homers, .771 OBS while striking out 26 times in 103 at bats. While not terrible, his cold streak has coincided with the decline of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course, this decline may also indicate just how valuable he is to the franchise. In other words, the Pittsburgh Pirates only go as far as McCutchen takes them.

I believe that Andrew McCutchen will receive serious MVP consideration even if the Pirates do not make the playoffs. However, the Pirates need to finish with a winning record for the first time since 1992 . . . which was the last time a Pirate won the MVP.


4. Matt Holliday, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals

PROS: I admit that Matt Holliday is a long-shot to win this award despite having a typical, awesome offensive juggernaut of a season. He has been the most consistent hitter on a team full of professional hitters is 2012. He is hitting .297 with 27 homers. He is also fourth in RBI (96), ninth in OPS (.887) while playing tremendous defense in left field for the Cards. Like Ryan Braun, Holliday has had to adapt to the loss of a iconic figure, and a powerhouse at the plate, and has adapted admirably. He has taken to the number three slot in the lineup (Albert Pujols' former spot), and has flourished.

CONS: While Matt Holliday is having a tremendous season, and will more than likely gain much support in the MVP ballot, he isn't even the most valuable player on his own team. If you ask any Cardinal player, they will tell you that Yadier Molina is the team's most indispensable player. Why isn't Molina on this list? Because I don't believe that Molina's value is something that can be quantified unlike Holliday.

Anyway, Holliday will probably not win the award, but I am certain that he could end up in the top five.

Who should win?

I have three thoughts on this award race:

1. If the Brewers make the playoffs, Ryan Braun WILL win the award.
2. If they do not make the playoffs, and the Pirates finish with a winning record, then Andrew McCutchen wins the award.
3. If 1 and 2 do not happen, then Buster Posey takes the MVP.

If I had a vote, I would take Ryan Braun despite the PED debacle.

Let me know who you think should win the National League MVP!

Thanks for reading!
Marty Sabin