Cubs MVP
by cubs199235 on Jun 15, 2008 11:20 PM CDT
37 comments
Well, things have changed since the last time this issue was discussed on BCB, and this is something I always enjoy talking about. Who has been the Cubs MVP thus far into the season? Here's is my analysis: What do you think?
Alfonso Soriano - Very productive if you look at his numbers, but too streaky to be much of a help. Although one of the Cubs "best" players, when you keep every aspect of the game in mind for this discussion, he is left out.
Ryan Theriot - I believe, as he was last year, The Riot to be an essential part of the Cubs late greatness. When Soriano was struggling, he picked up the slack for the top of the order. You have to love him for his hustle and respect for the game.
Derek Lee - He stood out much more earlier, but as of late, has hit a minor slide. I still believe him to be one of the front runners for the Cubs MVP talk. His numbers are there and he gives it his all.
Aramis Ramirez - His numbers are the best on the team, and he has played consistently all year (so far). His .412 OBP lead all Cubs (min. of 30 AB's). His 45 RBI's also lead the team and that is what I love most.
Kosuke Fukudome - In the beginning, he made it seem possible to hit .500 in the majors, but everyone knew it wouldn't last. Now, he's becoming more and more of what I expected him to be. As long as his AVG stays above .280 and he continues to field as well as he does, I'm happy.
Geovany Soto - My Cubs MVP pick. A beast. A tank. Really, whatever you want to call him. I love him. His numbers are declining, but I'm sure they'll rise back up soon enough. His numbers are good, but the reason he's my MVP is because of how greatly he has handled the pitching staff (only Michael Barret would be better).
Mark DeRosa - Nobody thought he would be able to hit near .300 again, but he's doing it. He is one of my Cubs favorites, and I like him because he does the little things, and every so often, he'll do something big,too.
Reed Johnson - Started hot, but now he's not. He'll always provide hustle and solid defense, so I'm happy. Not my MVP, but surely another one of Hendry's successful moves this year.
Carlos Zambrano - I read many fantasy magazines, and majority of them advized the public to take Hill over Zambrano. Yeah right. Zambrano has pitched to win in almost every single one of his starts this year.
Ryan Dempster - Statistically, he's equal to, if not better than Big Z so far this year. A huge addition to the rotation. When he pitches, the Cubs are always in the game.
Carlos Marmol - The rally breaker. He appears to be being over-pitched, but his numbers don't reflect it. Let's hope it doesn't get to him in the long run.
Kerry Wood - On an absolute tear. I was so glad to hear he'd be this year's closer. I didn't believe Marmol was ready, and I won't have to find out because of Woody. He blew a couple of SV's in the start, but now that he's settled in, he's unstoppable.
The best part about this is that there are so many people to take into consideration.
That's all I got. I guess you could say Lou Piniella, but I would disagree.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Who voted Piniella and why???
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 15, 2008 11:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why did you put Piniella on the list?
By definition, he can’t be the MVP (considering that the “P” part means “Player”).
by SouthernCub on Jun 16, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, yeah, but we will just say it means person
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted other
this team hasnt had an MVP and are this good!
This team is the MVP and its good to see it.
My 08 Cubs record 7-0
Updated June 01
by Rudey on Jun 15, 2008 11:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
agree
any given day, any player can carry this team. There is no one stand out player that has been the dominate force on the Cubs this year, and that is why they are in the position they are in, because they are an incredible team, not just a collection of players.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
by DTJchris on Jun 15, 2008 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
This team is just that, a TEAM, and they are playing like it
Svelte
by ryanbrixenivy on Jun 16, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano
I disagree with your assessment of Soriano. “too streaky to be much of a help”. That’s ridiculous, does his offensive contributions not count or what? IIR he has been a big part of several wins. I’m not saying he’s the team MVP, but don’t dismiss him in this discussion.
by Tate491 on Jun 15, 2008 11:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was just about to make this same post
Too streaky to help out. Honestly, what does that even mean?
by Wreckard on Jun 16, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I meant was...
consistency is a much bigger help. Obviously, his bat is a big one in the lineup
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marmol
For me it was a no-brainer. To have a lock-down guy in the 8th inning, where the game is regularly in the balance, has been crucial to their success.`
I'm not a religious man, but I pray for Carlos Marmol's arm.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jun 15, 2008 11:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
There's a few guys that head this discussion...
...And once again (I voted the same way last year during the season), I voted for DeRosa. His versitility is incredible. You could also vote for Dempster and his fantastic start. Or you could pick the combo of Marmol-Wood, and how lights out (sans a few plunked batters, Kerry!). This team has really be just that, a team.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jun 15, 2008 11:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Geo
but I was torn between him and Derrek Lee. Derrek Lee is the heart of the team, but Geovany is the reason we are a juggernaut offense instead of a average-good offense.
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by Unique on Jun 15, 2008 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah but you got to look at how well Geo has been managing the staff too
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reply
Something I noticed as I looked at some stats.
Win Shares
Zambrano – 10
Fukudome – 10
Soto – 10
Ramirez – 10
Sweet.
Forced to choose, I’d probably go with Soto. Ramirez is the best hitter on the team, but Soto is not far behind and hitting that well while playing the hardest position on the field puts him over the top, IMO.
VORPy
by VS on Jun 16, 2008 12:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If you care about VORP
Ramirez: 21.3
Soto: 20.3
DeRosa: 18.6
Lee: 16.4
Soriano: 15.8
Zambrano: 29.0
Dempster: 21.9
Marmol: 16.1
Wood: 12.6
Marquis: 9.3
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
by northsider on Jun 16, 2008 12:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I do look at VORP
but also add in the fact of how well Soto has dealt with the staff.
Way better than barret
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
DeRosa....
because he makes every play at every out-of-position position that he fills in for. Without DeRo manning the holes we end up having because of injury etc…...well, you get my point….
by crazymountain on Jun 16, 2008 1:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No Question About It
Geo Soto. What I admire most about him is his astute management of the pitchers. He knows just when to go out to the mound and he’s confident in doing so no matter who’s on the mound. He apparently knows just what to say and when to say it because most of the time he gets immediate results; they settle down and focus. His performance fielding the ball at home plate is as good as it gets. I just love to watch this man in action.
That said, I’ve pondered MVP all season and can make a case for almost everyone on the team. The star turn keeps shifting depending on the day and the game. It’s giggly-making.
by Emelie on Jun 16, 2008 4:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Fukudome because...
... I think his approach to the game has rubbed off on his teammates—his fundamentally sound game and his patience at the plate. Those two things have gone a long way this year in making the Cubs what they are.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jun 16, 2008 6:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good point
Ramirez has been much more patient this year
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The entire team has.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jun 16, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Dempster...
..its hard not to vote for Soto, DeRo or Fukudome since they play everyday but with the way our starting pitching started this season outside of Z (which was expected), I am not sure where we would be without Dempster’s performance to date.
He has been the most pleasant surprise on the team, but vital to the Cubs success to date.
by JB 23 on Jun 16, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Neither do I
I think without him, they wouldn’t be nearly as good. When Z isn’t on his game, he certainly is.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 16, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I too voted for Dempster
I agree that without him, the Cubs certainly wouldn’t be this far out in front right now. He has pitched incredibly thus far, and way better than anyone could have expected/hoped for out of him. Here’s to hoping it continues.
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
by gwood on Jun 16, 2008 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I had to, I'd probably vote for Marmol
but one of the things I like most about this team is that, in my mind, at least, nobody stands out to a great degree-it’s a testament to how well balanced and talented the Cubs are this year. On any given day, anybody is capable of stepping up and making a difference.
by bluekoolaide on Jun 16, 2008 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
If there wasn’t any rule about having one player from each team on the AllStar team, the Cubs could have 6+ players. They may have that many anyway
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big Z
I have a feeling that is Big Z had struggled out of the gate, this team and pitching staff would have taken a huge hit.
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 16, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted Soto...
because of his strong offense at a premium defensive position. At this point though, I could see Ramirez getting it as well.
by SouthernCub on Jun 16, 2008 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It has to be Marmol
Just take a look at his numbers, they are downright scary for opposing teams. He has been the nastiest setup man in all of baseball.
I think my favorite uncle was Uncle Caveman. We called him that because he lived in a cave and would eat one of us. We then realized he was a bear.
by deepthoughtsbyjackhandey on Jun 16, 2008 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
voted for D-ro
he is so versatile and makes it a lot easier for lou to give someone an off day. I love Geo too, i honestly dont understand why he wouldnt hit 5th but im not lou
THIS IS THE YEAR!!
by BadBillyGoat on Jun 16, 2008 10:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Soto
But let me state I NEVER thought I’d see a Cubs team where there would be a debate between this many players.
But he’s a STUD. His defense is incredible. He’s third the last time I checked stat wise in the NL. His offense is mind boggling, more so when you realize he’s a catcher.
by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 16, 2008 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Geo has my vote, but...
(only Michael Barret would be better)??
?! WTF
?
?
by tootle on Jun 16, 2008 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well this is great
that there are so many candidates. Think about all the allstar candidates we have as well…
Soriano, Fukudome, Soto (all three starters) Big Z, Dempster, Marmol, Wood
And if you really want to strech it you could throw in Theriot and Derosa (they are both in 3rd I believe)
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Jun 16, 2008 1:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would split my vote this way:
Most outstanding player: Geo
Most valuable player: DeRo
Most outstanding pitcher: Dempster
Most valuable pitcher: Marmol
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Jun 16, 2008 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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