Will Javy Baez win NL MVP?

[David]

It's August 2nd.

 

Javy currently sports a .302/.335/.575 slash line with a deserved reputation as a spectacular defender and baserunner.

 

The Cubs have the best record in the National League. That matters to voters, even if it shouldn't, necessarily.

 

He's currently tied for 3rd in the NL with Freddie Freeman at 4.0 fWAR. Carpenter and Arenado are ahead of them with 4.4 and 4.5, respectively. The Rockies have a legitimate shot at a playoff spot, but it'll be tough given the amount of teams in the mix. The Cardinals don't have a ton of hope.

[Derwood]

Are there enough olde-thyme writers/voters who will hate his "antics" enough to punish him and vote for someone more vanilla?

[David]

Are there enough olde-thyme writers/voters who will hate his "antics" enough to punish him and vote for someone more vanilla?

 

old timey types would love the RBIs and wave off the walk rate/OBP though

[David]

for the record, i voted yes. i'm feeling like there's momentum headed that way and he's probably got the highest q rating of any of the people in the conversation (as far as the popularity contest part goes).

 

i could easily see it going arenado, though, especially if they grab the west (not gonna happen) or a wild card

[squally1313]

If Washington comes back and wins the division, a 20 game winner Max Scherzer would probably get a lot of momentum.

[Andy]

I voted no, but I think he has a real shot. The combined effect of the El Mago stuff and the narrative boost he'll probably get from the fact that Bryant and the rotation have been so disappointing (and yet we're still in first place) absolutely thrusts him into the conversation.

[Banedon]

Nah, he'll never get the votes, sadly.

[jersey cubs fan]

I could see a lot of "hip" writers include him in their top 3/4 but there's no way he'll win.

[Rob]

Nope. He's going to get dinged on both sides of the debate.

 

Old-timers aren't going to vote for him because of his antics.

 

Analytics guys are going to have a hard time getting past his walk rate, even if his WAR figures are high.

 

It'll go to Freeman or Arenado.

[David]

I'll say this much...I think the early results are highly underselling his shot.

[cl smooth]

he'll be top 3 but they'll give it to arenado.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'll say this much...I think the early results are highly underselling his shot.

Javy was +2000 to win last week

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Yes

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/1/7/8/286156178/071618_chc_baez_kiss.gif

[David]

Nope. He's going to get dinged on both sides of the debate.

 

Old-timers aren't going to vote for him because of his antics.

 

Analytics guys are going to have a hard time getting past his walk rate, even if his WAR figures are high.

 

It'll go to Freeman or Arenado.

 

you and derwood have mentioned his "antics" and how that rubs old time guys the wrong way, but i haven't heard anything but praise from even most old timey guys probably because, despite being flashy, he is really horsefeathering good at little things nobody else usually even notice.

 

harold reynolds could barely contain himself when describing the bunt singles and the steals of home and the thought that went into them.

 

i've definitely heard stuff about the "antics" from fans of other teams (and a couple anonymous quotes from players he has probably pissed off), but i haven't seen many in the media who *don't* seem to praise/love on him (short of maybe some dildo local broadcasters like thom). he has something for everyone.

Edited August 2, 2018 by David

[David]

I'll say this much...I think the early results are highly underselling his shot.

Javy was +2000 to win last week

 

i know and if i weren't so averse to dealing with bovada's cash out nonsense (they sent me some crazy canadian check that nobody wanted to cash out for me last time) i'd put a little money on that.

 

also the early results have gotten better since i said that.

[Sammy Sofa]

The terrible neck tattoo alone will torpedo this.

[Rob]

Nope. He's going to get dinged on both sides of the debate.

 

Old-timers aren't going to vote for him because of his antics.

 

Analytics guys are going to have a hard time getting past his walk rate, even if his WAR figures are high.

 

It'll go to Freeman or Arenado.

 

you and derwood have mentioned his "antics" and how that rubs old time guys the wrong way, but i haven't heard anything but praise from even most old timey guys probably because, despite being flashy, he is really horsefeathering good at little things nobody else usually even notice.

 

harold reynolds could barely contain himself when describing the bunt singles and the steals of home and the thought that went into them.

 

i've definitely heard stuff about the "antics" from fans of other teams (and a couple anonymous quotes from players he has probably pissed off), but i haven't seen many in the media who *don't* seem to praise/love on him (short of maybe some dildo local broadcasters like thom). he has something for everyone.

 

I would love to be proven wrong. But I think that somebody as flashy as Baez is probably not popular with opposing teams' beat writers.

[sneakypower]

i mean, i don't know if we can (ever?) expect this to keep up but the narrative will certainly be in his favor; Bryzzo's been mostly useless and the whole rotation has been relative mediocrity

 

yet we stand atop the Central - whom to credit?

 

also i think Freeman's a non-factor in the voting; Eddie Murphy ass having season

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd like to change my vote

[Old Style]

Will he? Probably not.

 

Should he?

 

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I'd like to change my vote

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/5/8/2/286314582/071718_gif_baez_salute.gif

[itisallpartoftheplan]

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[Regular Show]

Will he? Probably not.

 

Should he?

 

 

Damn straight. Screw Arenado and those other posers.

[David]

he's in the conversation

 

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[David]

It's August 2nd.

 

Javy currently sports a .302/.335/.575 slash line with a deserved reputation as a spectacular defender and baserunner.

 

The Cubs have the best record in the National League. That matters to voters, even if it shouldn't, necessarily.

 

He's currently tied for 3rd in the NL with Freddie Freeman at 4.0 fWAR. Carpenter and Arenado are ahead of them with 4.4 and 4.5, respectively. The Rockies have a legitimate shot at a playoff spot, but it'll be tough given the amount of teams in the mix. The Cardinals don't have a ton of hope.

 

In the five days since I posted this, the position player rankings have shifted a bit.