N.L. MVP

[Baseball Guru]

It was a poll question today on the Dan Patrick show with lots of different views....

I added a 3rd player in Smoltz...

Bonds, Pujols or Smoltz..

Who do you like and why?

[elfudge35]

Pujols, he is the most complete hitter in the Major Leagues right now, he hits every pitch on a line to all fields, he's not some pull happy guy like most power hitters are now (Bonds, Giambi, Thome) so you can't pull a shift on him, did you see him in the home run derby, that's the ultimate pull hitter's event, and he still cranked out homer after homer to dead center and right center, he doesn't get Bonds' miniscule strike zone (which he did earn), so his hits are tougher to come by, if he settles into a position and stays away from injury, he'll be one of the all time greats

[Liter22]

I love Poujols. Like el fudge said he's the most complete hitter is the Majors. He's also a utility player so he plays where ever he's needed. His numbers say it all 100 RBI and runs scored, 30 homers, oh and his average is only .372 which is respectabel. Bonds has Poujols in just about 3 hitting stats(homers, SLG% and 3B :-\). Really stat wise no other player compares.

[Obri]

Pujols, although all those guys have enjoyed excellent seasons. Gary Sheffield is also in the running in my opinion.

[Durango53]

Preston Wilson.

MVP is such a gray spot. To me it is the guy that has been the most value to his team keeping them in the post season race. I think Bonds and Pujols are having great seasons but Wilson is having just as good season as those guys. And look at the Rox record from last year to this year and seeing most of the Rox games this year, Wilson is the MVP of the Rox and I feel MVP of the NL also. With him hitting between Helton and Walker teams have to pick there poison. So teams aint pitching to Helton and letting Wilson beat them and he is. So then they let Helton see a pitch and he will crush it.

Wilson is the MVP. He is carrying the Rox team right now and this year.

[prior22]

:hail: Pujols :hail:

He's leading the league in almost every category!!! He is one of the most complete hitters in baseball. And the thing w/ Preston Wilson is he's in COORS FIELD!!!! B4 he got there he wasn't neearly as good of a hitter! :D

[GiveHyzduashot]

Bonds. Pujols has Edmonds, Rolen, Vina/Hart, Drew, Martinez, Renteria ... all are very good at the plate, and then there are some darn good role players in Marrero (inspite of his injury) ... and Matheny isn't so bad at the plate, either. If Pujols was an average player, the Cardinals would still win because of their great offense.

Bonds has, uhh, practically no one ... Grissom is having a year no one expected, Alfonzo has underachieved, Durham isn't as good as he was, Cruz is struggling, etc.

Stack the lineups up ...

C - Matheney vs. Santiago .. the one position where San Fran has an edge.

1B - Martinez vs. Snow/Galaragga. Clear advantage for the Cards.

2B - Vina/Hart vs. Durham ... I think St. Louis has the advantage, but I can't disagree if someone thinks otherwise.

3B - Rolen vs. Alfonzo .. no question.

SS - Renteria vs. Aurilia/his sub ... Advantage Cards.

RF - Drew vs. Cruz ... both underachievers, take your pick.

CF - Edmonds vs. Grissom .. Edmonds takes the cake.

LF - Bonds vs. Pujols ... I'll take Bonds, but the purpose of this thread isn't who has the better leftfielder.

Bonds wins without any offense around him ... put him in St. Louis's lineup, geesh ... you're looking at one of the best years any player has ever had (it would probably rival his 73-homer season).

As long as the Giants win, take Bonds ... and how can Pujols be the MVP of a team that will probably miss the playoffs?? No one gave Sosa an MVP when Sosa had great years on teams that missed the playoffs, why should Pujols be any different.

Yeah, Preston Wilson is carrying the Rockies right out of the wild card chase ... no offense Durango, but I doubt if anyone other than Rockies fans make him the MVP. He's having a tremendous season, but why?? Coors Field ... he isn't an MVP.

[Blue56]

Pujols, great offence, deffence just at everything

[Trots]

Josh makes a good point about Bonds, as the Giants would not be where they are without him, but I do disagree about Pujols importance. He has been the core of the Cards offense. Edmonds, Vina, Drew and just about everyone else has either slumped horribly or been on the DL.

Pujols has posted Triple Crown potential numbers. That's just hard to argue. His ability to change position is a factor that no other superstar in the game can match. To this point in the season, I think Pujols is the MVP.

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by Trots
Josh makes a good point about Bonds, as the Giants would not be where they are without him, but I do disagree about Pujols importance. He has been the core of the Cards offense. Edmonds, Vina, Drew and just about everyone else has either slumped horribly or been on the DL.

Pujols has posted Triple Crown potential numbers. That's just hard to argue. His ability to change position is a factor that no other superstar in the game can match. To this point in the season, I think Pujols is the MVP.


I agree totally....

I think if the Cards make the playoffs then there is no debate...Pujols wins hands down...If not then you really do have to consider Bonds...
Another thought is that the Giants have much better pitching that the Cards do as well which is another reason they are leading their division....They won't have that gaudy division lead without Bonds but I think they still would have a chance to be in the hunt....

Still a lot of time left and anything could happen..

Just wondering what everyone's initial thoughts were...

I guess it also depends on how uyou look at the MVP....Is it the most valuable person to their team in each league or is it by the best #'s??
Last year proved that voters dont look just at #'s (IE: Arod)
But if Pujols with his triple crown like #'s can make the playoffs as I said before, there is no debate....

We'll see what happens down the stretch....

[Durango53]

Originally posted by prior22
And the thing w/ Preston Wilson is he's in COORS FIELD!!!! B4 he got there he wasn't neearly as good of a hitter! :D
AH yes the Coors field argument. Yes Coors field helps hitters yes it does and there is no question it does. But it dont hit the balls for hitters. Hitters still have to hit the ball. So should we take the CY youg from the pitchers that play in pitchers ball parks? How about Minute Maid field that is a hitters park should all hitters hitting in that park then be out of the MVP race? Tony Gwynn said himself that the Coors field is so overrated. I have the artical saved if anyone wants to read it or you can find it on ESPN.

Preston Wilson had so much presurre on him with the Fish. He had that great year and everyone said that he tryed to do to much. I heard a interview from him that he said the same thing. He said he loves the Rox because he can just play. He is between two of the best hitters in baseball with Helton and Walker.

So I feel if you take players out of the MVP race because they hit in Coors field you have to do that with the hitters with the Astros, Rangers, Reds, all left handed hitters in Yankee statum, right hand hitters in Fenway. Pitchers then cant win the CY Young in Dodger statum (you tell that to Kevin Brown) in Seattle, and all the othere pitchers park.