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08:17 AM ET 07.10 | The best player in baseball? [A] sampling of the following names would come up: Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Joey Votto, Matt Kemp and Ryan Braun. Depending upon where you were, geographically, obviously some others would come up, too. But would Andrew McCutchen's name ever get mentioned -- aside from the areas surrounding Pittsburgh? Not nearly as much as it should. He's criminally underrated across most of the country. In fact, a great case could be made that he was the MVP of the National League in the first half of the season. Just ask the man who won it last year. "I think probably Andrew McCutchen, with Joey Votto a close second," said Brewers outfielder and 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun.

Andrew McCutchen, Icon Sports

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July 10, 2012 09:00 AM ET

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McCutchen only chance to win the MVP award is if the Bucs win the division because he is not as well known as are Votto and Braun.

toad

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July 10, 2012 09:58 AM ET

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LOL.......Votto is the NL MVP......hands-down.

HILLBILLY

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July 10, 2012 10:33 AM ET

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While both Votto and McCutchen are close in the early MVP balloting, I would have to give it McCutchen.
McCutchen Votto
Avg. .362 .348
hits 112 100
EB hits 40 49
RBI 60 48
SLG .625 .617
OPS 1.039 1.087

I will take McCutchen's offensive production with his gold-glove defense in center over Votto any day.

Reasonable people can disagree, but there is no way to give it to one player over the other, hands-down like some want to argue.

PghSBX6

Meadville, PA

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July 10, 2012 11:50 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:58 AM ET 07.10 by HILLBILLY

LOL.......Votto is the NL MVP......hands-down.

Not yet, Bubba.

Atro SYB

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July 10, 2012 12:08 PM ET

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Kemp is better than either, but these three are all good choices, and would be a centerpiece for any team that was lucky enough to have them.

Traded to Seattle

Salem , OR

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July 10, 2012 12:12 PM ET

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This kid keeps on improving his game every year.

THE BISHOP!

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July 10, 2012 01:46 PM ET

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Pittsburgh was at .500 last year, then faltered badly down the stretch. It will be worth watching to see if that happens this year. Their pitching has been good, and their offense will be better in the second half. They could do it.

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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July 10, 2012 02:13 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:33 AM ET 07.10 by PghSBX6

While both Votto and McCutchen are close in the early MVP balloting, I would have to give it McCutchen. McCutchen VottoAvg. .362 .348hits 112 100EB hits 40 49RBI 60 48SLG .625 .617OPS 1.039 1.087I will take McCutchen's offensive production with his gold-glove defense in center over Votto any day.Reasonable people can disagree, but there is no way to give it to one player over the other, hands-down like some want to argue.

Kemp had better numbers than Braun and his steroids last year and Braun won, so numbers aren't the only factors. personally, I stopped caring about the MVP since Pendleton stole it from Bonds in '91. Give it to the non pitcher with the highest salary for they are truly more "valuable".

captaincruzan

St. Croix, VI

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July 10, 2012 03:41 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:00 AM ET 07.10 by toad

McCutchen only chance to win the MVP award is if the Bucs win the division because he is not as well known as are Votto and Braun.

If he continues to play at the level he's playing at for the rest of the season, he will probably win, it sure looks like his time has arrived, and unfortunately for Braun, I don't think he would get much consideration, after what happened last year!

Not4Nutten

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July 10, 2012 04:45 PM ET

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It's not surprising that the Pirates have an MVP-caliber player. What would be surprising is if he finishes his career with the Pirates.

Cardy1

Fort Collins, CO

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July 10, 2012 05:37 PM ET

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This arcticle is....True.

AllStarz Ruinating…

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July 10, 2012 06:49 PM ET

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Wow..the guy who mentioned Bonds could not make and less sense...

sancataldo

Cockeysville , MD

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July 11, 2012 07:05 AM ET

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McCutchen has been awesome this year and the guy has all the tools. I do not have a problem if he was to win MVP and at this point in the season he should be the MVP. In fact, could we trade Hamilton for McCutchen? Just askin'.