NL MVP: A Three-Headed Monster

The NL MVP race here in 2010 is a very close race between three great hitters:  Albert Pujols, Joey Votto and Carlos Gonzalez.  All three had great years, and any of the three has a chance of winning.  Traditionally, voters have used key statistics as well as your team making the playoffs as the litmus test for which players are more valuable than others.  This year, however, with the selection of Felix Hernandez(13-12) as AL Cy Young, maybe this means voters will use different things to determine who the best players are.

The Case For Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols had a great year.  He finished in the top 5 in the three triple crown categories:  leading the National League at RBI(118) and HR(42) while finishing tied for fifth in average(.312).  He posted a 1.010 OPS as well.  He struck out just 76 times, while walking 103 times; he was the only one of the three to post more walks than k's, and the only one to walk 100 times.  He had 39 doubles, which leads the big three.  His 115 runs scored were also tops among the big three.  His 350 total bases were second in the league.  He was awarded the first base NL Gold Glove award and Silver Slugger.

The Case For Joey Votto 

Joey Votto had his finest season as a professional this year, posting career highs in batting average(.324), HR(37) and RBI(113).  He lead the league in OBP(.424) and Slugging %(.600), and obviouslyOPS(1.024).  He was also the only one of the three who lead his team to the post season. Joey Votto's core statistics are all top five production.  He got almost equal production to the other two top NL MVP candidates in 40 fewer at bats on the season.

The Case For Carlos Gonzalez 

Carlos Gonzalez was a big surprise this season.  He emerged this season as a superstar.  He lead the NL in batting average(.336) while posting the second most RBI(117) and top five in HR(34).  He also stole 26 bases, showcasing his versatility.  He lead the league in hits(197) and hit nine triples, tops among the big three by far.  He also lead the league in total bases(351).  He won an outfield Gold Glove award, and Silver Slugger.

Result

After spending a lot of time deliberating on what was most important, I came to the conclusion that if I had a vote, I would give it to Albert Pujols.  Albert Pujols put up the best numbers overall.  Sure his batting average was "only" .312, but leading the league at home runs, RBI and runs scored can't go unnoticed.  Only Prince Fielder walked more times than Albert Pujols, and only Car-Go finished ahead of him in total bases by one base. 

Carlos Gonzalez may just be the newest anomaly of Coors Field.  At home in 300 at bats, he posted .380/26/76 with a 1.161 OPS.  On the road in 287 at bats, he posted .289/8/41 with a .775 OPS.  It looks pretty obvious that his numbers were inflated because he plays 81 games a year at Coors.  This is the same park that made Vinny Castilla a .319/46/144 player in 1998.  Castilla could never duplicate these numbers elsewhere until returning to the Rockies in 2004 and hitting 35 HRs and driving in 131 RBI.  I hope Car-Go figures it out elsewhere on the road, but if he doesn't, he'll join the list of guys who are all Coors products.

Joey Votto got his team to the post season, but that was a team effort.  It really was not Pujols' fault that the Cardinals massively underachieved this season.  Pujols did not underachieve at all, posting great numbers yet again.  He played in the most games(159) of the big three; Car-Go played in 145 and Votto in 150, so he was reliable and stayed healthy.  He won the Gold Glove, the Silver Slugger, and I say add the MVP because in such a close race, I go with the guy who posted the best overall numbers combined.

MVP stands for Most Valuable Player, not "Best Player On A Playoff Team."  This will give Albert Pujols three straight MVP awards, but this year's will not be a reward for his last two seasons.  I feel that he completely deserves this award based on being the best player in the National League in 2010.  This may, however, work against him if the voters become simply "tired" of giving the award to him.  It has happened in other sports.  I hope it does not happen this year in the National League MVP voting.