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Porkins said 07/24, 09:22 AM
What do A-Rod's stats right now have to with "if the Yankees make the playoffs"?

Right now, the MVP favorites in the AL have to be Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton. Kinsler is tearing up the league while Hamilton's production is off the charts.

I guess what you're implying is that in order for a guy to be MVP, his team has to make the playoffs.

1. That's not always true- as recently as 2003, the MVP came from a team that didn't get to the post-season.

2. Assuming they do get there, how do you know what A-Rod will do in the second half? he might not have anything to do with why the Yanks make the playoffs. He may get hurt. His numbers may tail off.

3. For all you know, the Rangers could make a run and get into the post-season, making it even more likely that one of their guys gets the award.


I don't think A-Rod is the frontrunner for the award right now. So why would he automatically get it if the Yanks make the post-season?

Porkins said 07/24, 01:09 PM
"This isnt about whether the Yankees will make the playoffs or not. "

Huh? Your title clearly says "If the Yankees make the playoffs..."

Seems like that's a pretty critical piece of the argument to me. But whatever.

A. A-Rod is not currently the favorite for MVP.
B. There is no way of knowing what he'll do the rest of the year.

Let me put it this way- here are multple scenarios that COULD happen:

1. The Yanks make the playoffs but A-Rod sustains a second-half injury and doesn't contribute.

NO AWARD.

2. The Yanks make the playoffs and A-Rod stays healthy BUT performs poorly.

NO AWARD.

3. The Yanks make the playoffs, A-Rod stays healthy, AND has good numbers BUT someone else on another playoff team out-performs him.

NO AWARD.

4. The Yanks make the playoffs, A-Rod says healthy and has good numbers, but someone on a non-playoff team puts up such a great year that voters have no choice but to pick him.

NO AWARD.

See- just off the top of my head I can think of multiple ways that A-Rod would be denied the MVP.

If you want to argue that he's the MVP SO FAR...you can try that, but there are several other guys ahead of him.

Porkins said 07/24, 02:32 PM
Calling A-Rod a "team leader" is like calling C.C. Sabathia anorexic.

He may have some of the best stats on the team, but any fan will tell you that the guy is allergic to responsibility and clubhouse chemistry.

But fine- he's doing well and helps them win. So what? Having the best stats on your team doesn't necessarily mean you deserve an MVP. There are 29 other guys who are tops on their teams. Do they all deserve awards too?

"if they make the playoffs it will be largely thanks to him."

That's the problem- you have NO WAY of knowing that. He may or may not be part of what helps them to the playoffs.

And as I mentioned in my 2nd argument, even IF they get there, there are many scenarios that would result in him NOT winning.

The MVP award takes the whole year into account. Since no one knows what he'll do in the 2nd half, there's no way to predict he'll deserve it.

You also haven't really addressed any of my arguments. He's not the favorite for the award now, so why assume he'll be the favorite in October?

-Kinsler
-Hamilton
-Morneau
-Quentin
-Sizemore
-Drew

All those guys are in the running.

And you didn't counter any of my scenarios.