Josh Hamilton has put up some gaudy numbers but I don't see how he could finish higher than fourth in the MVP voting if the season ended today. Robinson Cano, Justin Morneau, and Miguel Cabrera have all had better years and if you were to add more weight to defense, positional value, and park adjustments, you could make a strong case for a bunch of other players being more valuable.

Glaus has had a nice comeback year but he's not close to an MVP candidate. It will take some luck for him even to make the allstar team given that Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez and Joey Votto have all had better years at 1B.

There's a difference between "candidate" and "favorite." I simply suggested the former, not the latter.

Today, June 21st, he is in the conversation and I wouldn't have said that after the way he started the season. He's leading the league in RBI's and is 5th or 6th in homers. I don't think he will be able to maintain this level of hitting but for now, he's killing it and he's arguably the biggest reason the Braves are currently in 1st in the NL East.



Which is meaningless as currently structured.



Pujols is the only one I'd concede at this point. At worst, Gonzalez and Glaus are having equal years. Completely disagree about Votto.

Yeah man, its been trying. Its almost hilarious at this point as to what they'll do next. The clubhouse is starting to lash out now, though. Kakes just lashed out publicly, and there have been a few "off the record" type comments.

Glaus is easily the worst defensively of the three. Gonzales is the best defensively.
Offensively, Glaus leads Gonzalez only in RBI's which can largely be explained based on opportunities. San Diego has an anemic offense other than Gonzales so naturally he has fewer runners on base to drive home. His batting average and on base percentage are each 30 points higher, he has more homeruns and total bases, his slugging percentage is 50 points higher than Glaus, and he walks more and strikes out less. All this despite playing in a much more pitcher friendly park. Gonzales has had a better year than both Pujols and Glaus when you consider all factors.

You can make a similar case for Votto over Glaus other than the park factors and weaker surrounding players. Votto is tied with Glaus on homeruns and has less RBI's but leads Glaus in every other offensive category and is a better fielder.

Agree with BG, Glaus is no MVP candidate. Great fucking Lazarus act though.

LOL (I picked him up in the fantasy league, so I'm not complaining about his production though.)
Votto, on the other hand, is having a good year, but he is no Pujols.

Gonzalez would have about 25 HR by now if he played in Philly or Cincinnati.

With each passing day, the latter becomes more realistic...

17-game hitting streak (in progress)
is hitting .476 (39-for-82) with 8 HR and 26 RBIs in June
hit 17th HR last night
season numbers: .339 BA (4th in AL) / 17 HR (4th) / 53 RBI (3rd) / .613 slugging (3rd) / .996 OPS (5th)

Also, as to your point about defense and other intangibles, he threw a guy out at the plate last night and has grounded into ZERO double plays this year!

So, I'd say he's AT LEAST a legitimate MVP candidate.

[FT jinx] Lol.

Bobby Valentine officially retracted his name from the Orioles managerial position. This comes the same day as Marlins begin hunt for a new manager. Expect him to be hired by Florida. Him and the owner are chums.

Valentine was my no. 1 choice, but now I fear its going to be Wedge. Bummer.

I'm not impressed with Valentine, except for the time he disguised himself to get back into the dugout after being ejected.

Yes! Forgot about that.

He'd probably be top five right now which doesn't make your position rediculous if you just mean he's in the discussion. Also, he's hot as hell and if he continues his current pace he'll pass others by. His case has as you've alluded gotten a bit stronger since I made my original protest. He's had a great year so I'm not trying to be too critical.

Still, if the season were to end today, it would be a two man competition between Justin Morneau and Robinson Cano. Anyone else is just filling out the ballot.

I like Bobby V. a lot...very knowledgeable guy, can probably get a team to win at least for a little while, some hijinks and shenanigans mixed in for fun: What's not to be impressed about?

Holy shit, did the Bravos ever run into a buzzsaw in Chicago this week. Ouch.

He just seems like more of a TV personality than a manager. Not my thing. That, and I'm not a Rangers or Mets fan in any way.

Yeah, dude, Bobby V is the anti-LaRussa. He's a throwback to the old days, and most likely fucks chicks on his desk and makes rookies watch, and forces veterans to pound three of four Budweisers in the locker room postgame, and tell road stories.

Basically, an old school baseball guy the likes of which are rapidly disappearing in today's corporate dominated ownership world.

I detest LaRussa.

Also, Swisher.

Yea...because the Yankees need an 8th player on the roster...

finally, someone understands!!!

man, how is he even considered for the last vote? worst stats of the 5.