MLB - 2008 All Star Break and Beyond!

[snoopy369]

Yep.

While the White Sox blew a chance to put themselves 3.5 games up on MIN ... sigh. Two more bites of Wheaties for J.D. would've done it, but for naught.

[hexagonian]

this calls for an avatar change!

[Imran Siddiqui]

THE RAYS CLINCH A PLAYOFF SPOT!!!





9=8!!





Next: The Division .

[reismark]

Fare thee well, mighty palace.

[-Jrabbit]

I will always hate the Yankees, but the stadium has undeniable history, both within and outside the game.

[SlowwHand]

I'll second all that.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yankees are officially eliminated!!!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Don't look now, but the Twins are only a half game back of the White Sox in the AL Central after taking the first 2 games of the series against the two teams. And in their final series of the year, the Twinkies play the KC Royals, while the White Sox take on the Cleveland Indians.

This is going to be interesting.

As for the NL Wildcard, the Mets and Brew-crew are tied with the Mets playing the Cubbies one more time before facing the Marlins at home, while the Brewers take on Pittsburgh one more time before going to Chicago to battle with the Cubs. That's advantage Mets, but with their bullpen...

[Imran Siddiqui]

Btw, anyone want to pick their end of year awards?

This is not who is GOING to win, it is who I think should win. I'm also adding "Best Position Player" since MVP doesn't really measure that:

AL MVP: Carlos Quentin, OF, CHW (just nudging Kevin Youklis, 1B-3B, BOS)
AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee, SP, CLE
AL ROY: Evan Longoria, 3B, TB
AL Best PP: Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Milton Bradley, OF, TEX, would have won this in a walk if he hadn't gotten injured, but 100 extra ABs weighs heavily in A-Rod's favor)

NL MVP: David Wright, 3B, NYM
NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, SP, SFG
NL ROY: Edinson Volquez, SP, CIN
AL Best PP: Albert Pujols, 1B, StL

[-Jrabbit]

For ROY, I offer for consideration:

AL: Alexei Ramirez, 2B, CWS -- hits about 20 points higher than Longoria (admittedly not with the same on-base) with surprising pop, and has been a major revelation with his overall play. Tied the rookie record of 3 grand slams in a season.

Longoria has been awesome, but missed a lot of time. Ramirez was an unknown who fought his way into the lineup within a month and has been a total rock throughout the year.

NL -- Is Volquez eligible? I'm surprised. He had 17 ML starts over 3 seasons prior to this year. Still, the guy's an amazing talent on a horrible team. My suggestion: Geovany Soto, C, Cubs -- Not just "OK for a catcher," but is hitting .286 with 23 HR, 86 RBI and an OPS+ of 122. He is solid defensively and has been a steadying influence on the pitching staff. He has also carried a big load, with 140 games played.

I know this seems to be an all-Chicago post, but it's what I know best.

BTW, thank you for not listing Sabathia for NL Cy Young.

[-Jrabbit]

BTW, the Brewers' bullpen sucks, too.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Some of Ramirez's numbers: .296/.318/.483 - Yes that is a .318 OBP. Not with the same OBP indeed . 20 HRs, 60 Runs, 72 RBIs, 460 ABs. OPS+ of 106.

Longoria: .274/.345/.535, 26 HRs, 66 Runs, 84 RBI, 434 ABs. OPS+ of 132.

Sorry, I just don't think its any contest between these two. Longoria is far better. And has only 26 less ABs this season (and was kept in the minors for a month to prevent losing a year of arbitration).

As for the NL, Soto is a great pick. I think Volquez is eligible since he didn't go over in any one year, IIRC. But it comes down to pitcher vs. hitter. OPS+ of 122 for a Catcher (which is frankly damned great), vs. ERA+ of 140 (also damned great).

[-Jrabbit]

I don't think Carlos Quentin has a chance in hell, missing September and all. It's a shame. On ESPN Radio today, the big talk is between Pedroia and Youkilis.

I think you can make a case for Dye (again, my Chicago stripes showing) in terms of on-field value on a team that lost virtually everyone else of value (not Cabrera or Pierzinski) for significant periods.

But on balance, I would tend to give it to Joe Mauer. His power stats don't measure up, but in terms of value to the team, he's all that.

[snoopy369]

There will be no-one happier than I when the Metrodome is razed to the ground.

That is all

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
I don't think Carlos Quentin has a chance in hell, missing September and all. It's a shame. On ESPN Radio today, the big talk is between Pedroia and Youkilis.

I agree entirely, but personally I think Quentin is more deserving. Does anyone think that if Quentin hadn't gotten injured the Twins would be anywhere close to the White Sox right now?

And I'd think that Youkilis and Pedroia would cancel each other out. Hard to argue Most Valuable when you have two from the same team (also another reason I'd like a "Best Player" award instead).

As for Mauer, I'd argue that Morneau has been just as valuable as him, for the Twinkies.