Sports On Earth: Team-by-Team MVPs

[Seth Stohs]

Hat tip to ericchri for finding this article from Sports on Earth which named the team MVP for all 30 MLB teams. Check out the article. There are plenty of interesting choices, including their choice for the Twins.

 

Once you read the article and see the Twins choice, discuss below.

[Squirrel]

I don't think their choice is so off the mark.  He'd certainly be at the top of my list for consideration, along with maybe ... Hughes?  Perkins, before injury?  Loathe as I am to say it ... Suzuki?  Really, who else would you choose?  Personally, I might not choose anyone.

[Mike Sixel]

Phil Hughes is it for me.

 

Then, some ranking of Dozier or Santana. On a per game basis, Santana was probably worth more, but he played 50-60 less games......and there is value in Dozier being there almost every single game.

[iTwins]

I think it's Phil Hughes.

 

 

If you need an everyday player, I'd be in favor of Dozier - but his late season slump has taken some of the shine off of that notion.

 

 

I'd argue Plouffe could earn some consideration. Improved offense, improved defense - he was consistently solid all year - on a bad team, that's a bright spot.

 

 

Danny certainly has been one of the most exciting players on the Twins this season - but I'd hesitate to bestow him with the "most valuable" label when he's only played half a season.

[ericchri]

Four guys kept this season from being absolutely horrific to watch instead of just lousy.  Hughes, Dozier, Suzuki, and Santana.  Plouffe had a nice season as well but it was so understated that I'm not quite sure how to view it.  I wouldn't object to picking anyone from that list, they all had their moments of practically carrying the Twins when almost everybody else was flopping.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Dozier is the team leader in WAR - but Santana came in a played out of his normal position and saved us all the embarassment of having Chris Parmelee play in CF a few times a week.

 

Hughes and Suzuki make Terry Ryan look like a genius (until you glance into Left Field).

 

Until his injury, Perkins was his usual lights out self, and he gave us the local-boy-does-good highlight of the year by getting the save in the All-Star Game.

 

And Plouffe should get whatever the Twins version is of most improved player - His defense really took a turn for the better. Eduardo Escobar really showed the Twins something this year too - all those doubles!

 

I'd have to go with Dozier 1st, Hughes 2nd, and Santana 3rd - They are all pretty close, though. Suzuki and Perkins would be 4 and 5. Dozier mixed speed and power, played nearly every game of the year (maybe too his detriment), didn't ruin anyone's day on defense,  and scored a ton of runs. He also gets the bonus cherry on top by emerging as a vocal team leader.

[Mike Sixel]

On Fangraphs, Hughes is the number 3 overall pitcher in WAR.......no idea on bbref......On ESPN, Dozier and Hughe are effectively tied for WAR.

 

And, batting about .333 on FAs does not make a GM look like a genius, makes him look average at best. 

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Exactly, that's why I included the dig on TR not finding an outfielder last offseason.  

 

Hughes was very valuable - I think he also is gaining a reputation for being a leader in the clubhouse. The way he's handled the $500,000 bonus he fell short of earning I'm sure is getting him all kinds of brownie points. Gibson probably still wants Hughes to pay for dinner, though.

[ashbury]

Dozier for me.  Santana played enough less than a full season to tip the balance.