Even as we anxiously await news as to whether and where he’ll be traded, Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins has been tabbed as the National League’s Most Valuable Player for the 2017 season by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Joey Votto of the Reds came in a very close second; Paul Goldschmidt of the D-Backs rounds out the top three in the National League.
Stanton outslugged the rest of the National League’s batsmen by a healthy margin, launching 59 long balls and posting a .631 slugging percentage. Even as the Marlins fell shy of hopes, and Stanton came up short of his bid for sixty home runs, the big man was rewarded for his startling power output. Of course, he’s also an accomplished overall batter and a quality defender; while many will disagree with the outcome, he plainly was a worthy candidate given the output of the rest of the field.
Truth be told, it was an exceedingly close race — and that was reflected in the voting tallies. Stanton and Votto each received ten first-place votes, but Stanton took one more second and third-place ranking to nudge into the lead. Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies joined Goldschmidt in receiving top consideration on multiple ballots, ultimately placing fourth and fifth in the final count.
strostro
oh yeah
Phillies7459
Paul Goldschmidt will never win a MVP always comes so close, but Giancarlo winning is well deserved, Congrats!
thecoffinnail
He should have won this year.. I miss the way they used to pick the MVP award and it usually went to the best player on a playoff team (Think 2011 when Braun beat out Kemp, who had the better numbers).. They really should create a new award that goes to the best player in each respective league and give the MVP to players that are truly the most valuable.. Would the D-Backs have gone to the playoffs without Goldy? Doubtful.. Would the Yankees have gone to the playoffs without Judge? Equally as doubtful..Mike Trout has pretty much gotten rid of the old norm single handed..
justinept
Most still give preference to guys on playoff teams. But when a guy absolutely destroys the league, they lean toward him. Think ARod in Texas.
larry48
Is stanton also juiced like Arod? probaly yes
rememberthecoop
Trout should be MVP every year
MHanny17
In the NL?
marcfrombrooklyn
Isn’t “Most Valuable Player” really a term of art in sports that means the “best player.?
sidewinder11
They do have that award. Hank Aaron award is for best hitter regardless of team contention. How Goldy wins Silver Slugger and Gold Glove on a playoff team and comes in 3rd for MVP is beyond me.
larry48
Goldy plays in arizona just like Colorado no MVP because of park and alitude. Next year they will have humidore just like Colorada and neither team should ever have MVP and free agents wont want to go there. Any stat in eiither park will loose 20 % and may keep player from hall of fame.
em650r
Bellinger or Turner would have won for the NL
liamsfg
I don’t like favoring guys on playoff teams. Thats just rewarding a player for how well his teammates played as well.
It should be for the most “value.”
Who contributed at the highest level compared to the rest of the league?
Goldshmidt should have won a couple by my evaluation of MVP. You can’t overrate a gold glove caliber defender who hits for power average and is incredible at getting on base.
But GC Stanton deserved this one, congrats homie. Part of me hopes to see you in a Giants uniform next year.
larry48
Stanton did not derserve MVP ! Marlins were barely 500 team with him without him they would have been the same he basiclly did nothing for his team.
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sidewinder11
So in 2013, Goldy comes up in 2nd behind McCutchen, who only won because his team was a contender, even though Goldy had better numbers. Then this season, Goldy comes in 3rd because a player on a non-contender has better numbers. Poor guy is a victim of the voters not being able to make up their minds about what makes you an MVP
pitnick
Very debatable that Cutch only won “because his team was a contender.” His batting numbers were very close to Goldy’s (essentially identical after adjusting for home park), and after factoring in base-running and position, he was a great choice on individual merit alone.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Also Goldy has the West Coast and small-market things going against him. Think Tony Gwynn.
sufferforsnakes
Should have been Goldy.
dbacksrs
Agree
giantsfan8
Now he’s gonna up his trade value
Kayrall
I don’t think it really affects the way interested teams value his future performance.
CompanyAssassin
It was pretty much already a given that they were anticipating him to be winner. That’s been thought of in trade talk, he would’ve finished top 3 regardless.
realgone2
When was the last time a reigning MVP got traded?
txtgab
Arod 03?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I’m now 7 for 7 on BBWAA award predictions. If Altuve wins AL MVP I got every one right. Altho I will say most of them were fairly obvious.
SundownDevil
That’s cool bro. Do you have that on your resume?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Yeah
kenneth cole
Me too bro! 7-7. You must be some savant
brucewayne
So that
brucewayne
and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.
Brixton
Joey Votto woulda been my pick, but a solid choice, nonetheless
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Think it ultimately came down to the home runs and Stanton playing a position further to the right on the defensive spectrum.
WalkersDayOff
Red can lose 94 with or without him
Brixton
The Marlins were bad too?
WalkersDayOff
Stanton would not have been my pick. But a fringe 2nd wild card contender is better than not being in the race ever
Brixton
You’re not a fringe wildcard contender if you were 8 games under .500. They were irrelevant since May
WalkersDayOff
Arenado would have got my vote
larry48
nobody from Colorado will ever be taken seriously for MVP that park is bad on many front. If Arenado played any where else he would be 1st balot HOF but msy not make it if he stayes in Colorado.
Otto371
That argument didnt work last year, otherwise Betts would have beaten out Trout. Although i agree with you.
jcraft21
Wrong
MeowMeow
Neither of the top 2 on a playoff team. Are the voters finally ditching that unofficial qualification for MVP?
start_wearing_purple
Trout won last year, Harper in 2015. Neither of their teams were in the playoffs.
afenton530
Didn’t the nats win the division in 2015
Dock_Elvis
Andre Dawson smacked 47 Home Runs for the hapless 1987 Chicago Cubs. Have Harry Carray calling all of them on the only relevant cable supertation at the time….and you win an MVP
themed
Yes good point. Harry definitely influenced that vote. They would have finished last with or without him. But it’s the cubs and Harry Carrey. That was the all time biggest MVP blunder.
themed
That year the MVP should have went to Ozzie Smith. Not particularly for his offense but his phenomenal day after day defensive plays. Preventing runs was as important as driving them in along with his tremendous leadership qualities that year.
themed
Leading the Cardinals to their 3rd National league Championship in a 5 year period.
simschifan
Ah so themed is a cardinals fan. No wonder why he has a hard on for the Cubs
themed
Just stating the facts. Do get tired of hearing about the hapless cub organization which only produced one winner in the last 100 or so years. I mean I like the blind squirrel finds an acorn story best for cub fans
Dock_Elvis
I was a die-hard Cub fan during my childhood from 1983-1993 or so. Lived and breathed them. 1987 was a HAPLESS Cubs team. 1984? Nope…That was Bobby Dernier and Ryno hitting 1-2. They got Sutcliffe for Mel Hall and Joe Carter…magical year and my favorite team of all time. Then 85 happened…I think at one point they had 4 of 5 starters down. Then some dark ages. Signing Dawson during collusion was magic….he was clutch in 87. He was a great story, but I doubt he wins that MVP today. But he was incredibly valuable. Then 88 was another bad year. Zim comes in with Jerome Walton and Mitch Williams in 89 and more magic. Ill never forget Mitch Williams hitting a home run that year. Good memories…but yeah hapless sometimes….and I even got to see some magic. I kind of laugh when someone born in about 1993 says FINALLY the Cubs won in their life. I cant imagine how those 1950s or 70s fans felt…back when Wrigley wasnt an amusement park. I sure miss the old Wrigley. 84 changed it….but I don’t even recognize it now…not very charming. An old friend of mine joined the diehard cubs fan club in 1940…finally got his ring last year…amazing.
Dock_Elvis
If someone never watched Ozzie Smith flash leather in person…they missed pure artistry….and he did it on a slick astroturf surface. His defense was probably as valuable as an mvp offensive performance.
Dock_Elvis
I was wrong, Dawson hit 49 in 1987. Ozzie Smith is an interesting MVP case for that season…but he’s nota lock. Tony Gwynn had an amazing season, as did Darryl Strawberry. Dawson won based on those homers…but I believe he led in total bases. No WAY is 1987 press voter voting on defensive rep. I dont think 2017 is either. Interestingly, you could make a real good case Ozzies teammate Jack Clark should have been MVP
simschifan
No you don’t state facts. You are a child who goes off subject on every post just to let everyone know you hate the cubs. Everyone hates you and basically ignores you because you know nothing about baseball. Just go on Facebook and troll the fans about how much you hate them Cubs. Leave trade rumors to people who actually want to contribute to conversations about legitimate trades.
Dock_Elvis
I was a long time commenter around here going back over a decade…and I stopped coming to the site a few years ago because of how lowbrow it had gotten. Gets old. The monitoring of the comment section used to be very tight….insults to other commenters and even game personel werent allowed..itd go straight to moderator. I believe a lot of people left. Just got tired of scrolling down a 150 comment section of insults.
ericl
Joey Votto had a great year, but the Reds sucked with him & they would’ve sucked without him. He isn’t the most “valuable.” This is why I wish MLB would add a most outstanding player award. That way, guys who have great years on bad teams can win that award & the most valuable player award can go to a player whose value actually made a difference
Brixton
The Marlins weren’t a contender with or without Stanton either. It’s the exact same argument. If that was the case, Goldy woulda won it with ease
Kayrall
Take your NBA logic over to Hoops Rumors. This is baseball where one person does not carry a team to such magnitude.
simschifan
Votto can’t pitch for the Reds. Not his fault the pitching sucks.
dwhitt3
There’s no rule saying he can’t.
simschifan
You missed my point.
stymeedone
Stanton should get Player of the Year. He had a great individual season. My opinion is that if your team isn’t in contention, you shouldn’t be the MVP. I don’t care what his WAR is, or how much he helps a fantasy team.
soxfan1
Stanton and Altuve play in different leagues (AL v NL) so they could both take home the MVP award
Phil253
This is the NL bud.
Mjm117
Altuve is in the AL bruh
stretch123
Altuve will win the AL MVP so no worries man.
dwhitt3
So Trout should no have won a single MVP?
Mjm117
Beats Votto by 2points wow. Well deserved Stanton. Votto also is a beast. I just hope we get impact players back for him. Fish need to nail this trade
stretch123
Well deserved by Giancarlo. Truly had a season that was one for the ages and I don’t think this will be his last MVP. It will suck seeing him in another uniform but as a Marlin fan, I must say he deserves to win, given how talented he is and how much he’s given to the Marlins since his debut… Fish won’t win for the next couple of years.
Thronson5
He absolutely deserves this award! Congratulations, Stanton! What trip..coming from the hood to making all that money and now winning a MVP.
Koodle
Finally two players not in playoff contention finished first and second, Love em both. Though I do believe Blackmon should have placed above arenado.
outinleftfield
His price in trade just went up.
dwhitt3
No
acarneglia
If you don’t make the playoffs you shouldn’t be an MVP candidate. I’m not saying Stanton wasn’t amazing, because he was phenomenal, but you should have to make the playoffs.
stretch123
One player does not determine if the team makes the playoffs. Without Stanton, Marlins would’ve probably lost 100 games… If JF16 was alive we would’ve made the playoffs for sure :/
acarneglia
No you wouldn’t have
fmj
That’s ABSOLUTELY against the spirit of the award. It’s an individual award, not a team award. You can’t discredit a great individual performance because he plays on a bad team. That’s ridiculous.
stymeedone
The history of MVP winners show the spirit of the award, and would disagree with you.
kehoet83
I found it funny that Bryant received a 1st place vote. Not even a finalist.
dwhitt3
Finalists are determined after the ballots are cast. The finalists are the 3 with the highest tally.. there is no vote between just the 3 finalists.
gocincy
Some dope cast a thoughtless vote for Bryant. In a year when barely a hair separated the top two, This vote could have given Votto the award.
mrnatewalter
Mark Bowman of MLB.com (voting for Atlanta chapter) voted Kris Bryant first.
Chicago’s two voters didn’t even have Bryant higher than 7th. (Mark Gonzales of the Tribune had him at 10th).
Dock_Elvis
Maybe time to turn the vote over to an accounting firm operating a proprietary valuation system…but then the fun is gone…cause theres no way to keep their formula secret. We’d have an MVP ranking going on all season.
reflect
One day people will not be stupid and they will look back and realize Joey Votto should have had like 2 MVPs by now.
jdgoat
Ya it’s kind of ridiculous
gocincy
He reached base 320 times this year. That’s unreal. If he played in ny, Boston, or Chicago, he’d by a mythological figure. ESPN would show his highlights every night. But playing for a tiny market club kills him. Even when they were in the playoffs for three years in a row, he never got the love
Lanidrac
Hmm, I surprised Votto beat out Goldschmidt for second place, seeing as Goldschmidt beat Votto out for the 1B Silver Slugger and played on a playoff team.
MB923
The BBWA doesn’t vote for the Silver Sluggers though.
phantomofdb
Votto was significantly better than goldschmidt this year
mack22 2
Stanton sure would look good in Dodger blue
reflect
Also there’s like multiple people here saying they are Marlins fans… I had no idea the Marlins had fans?
Cat Mando
MVP, CY, RoY get all the press. For me I put more credence in those awards voted on by those who play the game and compete against each other day in and day out. The Players Choice. If you look at this year and recent history these almost always match the BBWAA awards.
American League
Outstanding Player: Jose Altuve (HOU)
Outstanding Pitcher: Corey Kluber (CLE)
Outstanding Rookie: Aaron Judge (NYY)
Comeback Player: Mike Moustakas (KC)
National League
Outstanding Player: Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)
Outstanding Pitcher: Max Scherzer (WSH)
Outstanding Rookie: Cody Bellinger (LAD)
Comeback Player: Ryan Zimmerman (WSH)
Player of the Year: Jose Altuve (HOU)
Man of the Year: Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
(side note…just as I feel these carry more weight I also wish the players and coaches still had the AS vote. It was truely more of an All Star game then)
GarryHarris
I had Charlie Blackmon as my MVP. I think that Blackmon is the first Lead-Off hitter ever to lead MLB in Total Bases (TB).. Joey Votto is a close second and should’ve gotten the Gold Glove as well. He has the 7th most single season 1B assists in 2017.
Koodle
I know he moved around in the line up near then end, but didn’t Betts in 2016 do that?
DarkGhost
Blackmon’s home road spits are way too big. He obviously benefits a lot from playing 82 games in Coors field.
Dock_Elvis
For another Rockie to win an MVP…its very likely itll come with a team boost…such as finishing 95-105 wins….a not so drastic home/road split, and some league wide notoriety. Park always works against their players in the minds of people….and the MVP vote is ALL about perception. There again….a Rockie starter wins 20 with great periperhals…they probably get a boost.
DarkGhost
How the only guy that had his team in the playoffs finishes last is baffling. People are way to concerned about meaningless numbers instead of what actually matter which is winning.
Phoenixdownyjr
Bonds won 2 MVP’s on 90 win teams that didn’t make the playoffs now that’s a head scratcher. On another note of all the non-playoff MVP winners only trout, arod and Stanton had sub-par teams. Look at the history before crying about the MVP award people.