M-V-P, M-V-P
As the season winds down, local boy Joey Votto is putting up stellar numbers for the Reds in bid for second NL award. Richard Griffin looks at his chances,
This is about the time of every baseball season where Joey Votto’s star begins to shine its brightest. Only this season the classy Reds first baseman would love that glitter to continue past the first round of playoffs, all the way to the World Series. Yes, this is the time of the regular season when the quiet man from Etobicoke inserts himself into any smart conversation for NL MVP.
Votto has already earned one MVP back in 2010, when the Red won the division, but lost to the Phil- lies in the NL Division Series. This year, even though his RBI total is relatively modest, his WAR stands at 5.2, his .316 batting average ranks sixth and his OPS, aided by 95 walks, ties him for the NL lead at .939 among qualifiers for the batting title with Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks.
There are two distinct schools of thought when it comes to voting for league MVP. There is the old-school side that argues the MVP needs to be on a team that actually makes it to the postseason and that player must be the main force behind the playoff push. Then there are those modern voters that break down the numbers looking for the best performance by the best player in a specific year, with little regard for the standings. Those supporting Votto can make a case in either of those camps.
At this point of the season, the Reds maintain the fifth best record in the NL and are in line to be the second wild card, trailing the Cardinals and being pursued by the Diamondbacks.
All of a sudden the NL Central has become the power division in the senior circuit and there are three clubs legitimately in the chase for the division title, with the losing two in the wild-card driver’s seat.
In fact, you could throw a blanket over the records of the Pirates, Cards and Reds, then add the Dodgers to that mix. Votto’s chances for MVP would be enhanced if the Reds make a move forward and win the division, which given their history and the history of the Pirates is possible. Here, as the season heads towards its final month, about 40 more games, are seven men to be considered. JOEY VOTTO Reds
His is the bat and the presence around which this perennial playoff contender revolves. As Votto goes, so go the Reds, and since 2008 when he finished second in rookie-of-the-year voting, he has been baseball’s most consistent performer, never below .848 OPS or .297 average. PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT D-backs
The Snakes were expected to search for offence with the departure of Justin Upton to the Braves, but their young first baseman leads an athletic young team that has a chance to get into the wild-card race. YADIER MOLINA Cardinals
The best player at the toughest position in baseball, Molina has drawn raves for his leadership and offensive contribution as the Cards pitching staff seems to get younger and tougher to hit. If the Cards win the division, he may well win his first MVP. ANDREW McCUTCHEN Pirates
A year ago, McCutchen was considered the best young leader in the NL, but the Pirates’ second-half fade cost him serious consideration. But this year, the Pirates look like they believe that they are for real and McCutchen’s chances are enhanced. FREDDIE FREEMAN Braves
While it looked for the first month that Upton would be the difference-maker in the NL East, the men that have carried the Braves through injuries to the biggest division lead in baseball are Freeman and shortstop Andrelton Simmons. CLAYTON KERSHAW Dodgers
If Justin Verlander could win the AL MVP a couple of seasons ago, Kershaw is the pick among starting pitchers in 2013. His mere presence every five days lends a swagger to the entire pitching staff and allows Don Mattingly to plan his bullpen around him. YASIEL PUIG Dodgers
The sexy pick, the one that will gain momentum if the Dodgers continue to accelerate down the stretch, is the fabulous rookie outfielder with charisma and talent. Puig’s .986 OPS would lead the league if he had enough plate appearances, but the fact that in the weeks after his arrival from the minors, the Dodgers began their dizzying ascent to the top is enough to gain him some votes, despite the contributions of Hanley Ramirez at the same time and of Kershaw.
If the voting was conducted today, my top three NL MVP picks, in order, would be: Molina, Votto and Goldschmidt. But that’s today. It will surely change before the season is over.