It’s the halfway point in Major League Baseball and there has been a lot of talk about who the American League’s Most Valuable Player would be if the vote were held today, and the right people were voting, of course.
Most cast their ballots for Alex Rodriguez or Magglio Ordonez, who are each having tremendous seasons. Ordonez is chasing the doubles record and leading the league in hitting at .369 going into play Saturday. He’s also batting .443 with runners in scoring position.
Rodriguez leads all of baseball in homers and RBI and has played a solid third base this season, albeit for a Yankees club that is struggling to reach the .500 mark.
Others look to Vladimir Guerrero, who has carried the Los Angeles Angels’ offense for three seasons and has paved the way for their pitching staff to lead them to the second-best record in baseball and a 3 1/3 game lead in the American League West.
Guerrero is hitting .327 with 41 extra-base hits and 75 RBI and has struck out just 32 times versus 47 walks.
Even Victor Martinez deserves consideration despite his poor defensive play behind the plate. V-Mar is batting .325/.384/.546 with 67 RBI to anchor the Indians offensive attack.
Torii Hunter has gotten some play as well, and deservedly so. Hunter is hitting over .300 and is on pace for more than 30 homers and 100 RBI in his walk year. And the Twins aren’t dead in the AL Central.
But anyone ignoring Seattle Mariners center fielder Ichiro Suzuki has not been watching baseball in 2007. I’m not saying Ichiro should be the MVP right now, but he should be ahead of Rodriguez, Martinez and Hunter, and right there with Ordonez and Guerrero. Okay, nevermind, I am saying Ichiro should be the MVP.
Sure, Ichiro has just five home runs. Yeah, I know, he has but 39 RBI when some of these other hitters have 70 or more. But there’s more to the Most Valuable Player than homers and RBI.
Ichiro ranks second in the AL in hitting at .360 after Friday’s games, has the 7th best on-base percentage- first among baseball’s leadoff hitters, is third with 23 steals and is impressively 26th in the league in slugging percentage at .458.
All that without taking his home ballpark into consideration.
Ichiro plays a gold glove center field, a premium defensive position, which only one other candidate can claim, and is on pace for 60 walks this season,which would be the second-most he’s drawn since coming to Seattle from Japan. He’s fanned only 34 times, just 22 times since May 1, and might be the most adaptable star in baseball.
When Seattle needs a game-winning single, Ichiro has delivered. He has three game-winning hits after the 7th inning this season. When the M’s needed a jump start, Ichiro has given it to them. He’s homered in the M’s first at-bat of the game four times this season.
He’s swiped 23 bags in 25 attempts, too, and is eight of eight stealing bases after the sixth inning in close games.
Ichiro’s translated numbers from Baseball Prospectus are ridiculous; .399/.452/.488 with an EqA of .332, a career best. He’s creating 9.3 runs per game on a 27-out basis and 76 on the season and is hitting .417 with runners in scoring position.
And… the Mariners are winning.
As I type this, the M’s are about to secure their 48th win of the season against 36 losses and with any help from their old pal AROD (who is facing Scot Shields in the bottom of the ninth in a 1-1 ties right this second) would move to just 2 1/2 games back in the AL West.
Seattle, some way, some how, is a good team in 2007, and though there are legitimate questions concerning how long they can keep it up, Ichiro is the key to their success.
I’m not even one of the bigger Ichiro fan, but what he does for this team, particularly when he gets support from the rest of the team, is immeasurable.
Someone said to me last week that Ichiro is only really good when the Mariners are winning. I countered with a different thought.
The Mariners are good when Ichiro is great, and this year he’s been great.
If the vote were today, the writers wouldn’t likely have Ichiro in the top 5 because of all the homers being hit by AROD and the numbers being put up by Magglio Ordonez and Vladimir Guerrero.
But right now my vote goes to Ichiro, who does more toward what’s necessary for his winning team than Ordonez or Guerrero does for his.
One of these days the writers will understand what the award is all about and have the intelligence and tools to evaluate a player’s true value to his team’s success. But until then…
My Vote:
1. Ichiro
2. Vladimir Guerrero
3. Magglio Ordonez
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Torii Hunter
For the record, J.J. Putz would get a top three vote for Cy Young from me, right behind Dan Haren. He may not remain there with the expected emergence of Johan Santana, but Putz has been the game’s best reliever thus far.
Very nice piece Jason, I could not agree more. I think that if JJ Putz keeps this up I think he will be a serious candidate for the CY. The last non starter I believe to win the CY was Ganege (SP?) when he went somthing like 55 for 55 in saves. So if JJ can stay to his pace and go 50 for 50 then I believe he will be right there in the running for the CY Young.
Geoff Baker today said that the M’s are shopping Mateo, how much trade value does he have?
BTW Felix gave credit today for his new pitch selection methods to a letter given to Chaves by Ussmariner. That’s pretty cool, to bad the M’s don’t consider reading more of the stuff that PI, Ussmariner, and LL sugest they do like bringing up Adam Jones, minor leage development and constructing a big league roster. Oh well one can only hope.
I’d actually put JJ #1 on my Cy ballot and maybe #1 in my MVP. Sure Haren and Santana have good numbers, and sure the MVP is rarely place for a pitcher (much less a RP), but has anyone been more valuable to their team? I really don’t think so. But that’s just my opinion.
I agree that Ichiro is underrated in MVP consideration. Let’s hope that he continues to produce like he did in June while the other candidates don’t fare as well. As of right now I think the MVP is Ordonez’ to lose. If he doesn’t cool down in the second half, I think the award is his. If the M’s make the Playoffs the likely heroes are J.J., Felix and Ichiro (though, hero-wise, I can count no one out). There’s still time. I don’t recall any Reliever seeming as automatic as J.J. has this season (aside from a few early struggles that he came out of without a BS.) I was a big fan of Eckersly growing up and J.J. is flat out more dominant right now than Eck ever was. Putz deserves consideration as well for MVP. Unfortunately for Ichiro to get strong consideration, the question may be 2 hundred what? How early does he reach 200 hits that national media start talking about consecutive 200 hit seasons to start a career and how close he gets to his single season hits record. If the M’s are out of the Playoffs (as A-rod’s Yankees may yet be by then) there’s little chance for him to get it though. The other candidates’ teams all seem like locks to make the playoffs.
Hey Jason, I see you got a mention in the Times for having a part in getting the pitch sequence information to Felix.
Jason
I was recently on Sports Illustrated website and they did a story on the players in the futures game. They gave high marks to Wlad, but said that Saunders is at best a future 4th outfielder. I always thought he was better then that, do you agree with their assessment?
I agree with that assessment right now on Saunders. He has ok numbers, but his swing is still too long.
He’s still young enough to shed that fourth outfielder label, though.
I got a mention, Goose?
Putz 1-0, 24/24 SV/SVO, 0.90 ERA, 37G, 40IP, 16H, 7BB, 43SO 0.58WHIP, .125BA, .181OBA, .211SLG
Eckersley 7-1, 1.91 ERA, 69G, 80IP, 62H, 11BB, 93SO, 0.91WHIP, .211BA, .242OBA—SLG?,
I am having trouble finding how many gamnes Eckersley failed to save in 1992 as there’s no BS or SVO stat kept in 92. I don’t recall him having a perfect record on saves that year though. If I project Putz’ numbers to reflect his first half performance I get these numbers:
Putz 2007 77IP, 31H, 13BB, 83SO, 46/46 SV
Eck 1992 80IP, 62H, 11BB, 93SO, 51/?? SV
Eck had 5 more saves than Putz is on pace for and slightly better BB/9 and SO/9, but J.J.’s .181 OBA slaughters Eck’s .242 OBA. Eck led the league in Saves in 1992, so unless Putz does the same, I don’t see him joining Ichiro and Eckersley as the only Winners of AL-MVP in 17 years to not put up Offensive Power numbers.
Yeah, in this article.
“Chaves also had a copy of the posting e-mailed to him by Jason Churchill, a freelance newspaper contributor who runs his own baseball Web site detailing Mariners farm prospects.”
“Chaves also had a copy of the posting e-mailed to him by Jason Churchill, a freelance newspaper contributor who runs his own baseball Web site detailing Mariners farm prospects.” -M’s fans lend Felix helping hand in victory over A’s, Geoff Baker
My bad, I guess i submitted the quote the same time as you Goose.
Futures game on ESPN2. Wlad hits a sac fly that scores a run in his first AB.
And he just doubled.
I noticed that Mickolio has been doing well in Tacoma despite not being a pro for very long. It seems like for whatever reason the M’s don’t trust RRS enough to put him in a game that is not already over. It seems like Lowe is going to take a little while to get his arm back up to full strength, so why don’t the M’s give Mickolio RRS’s spot and use him like they used Davis and Mateo to see if he’s ready for the majors. He could turn out to be another dominant power arm for an already good pen. And if that is what happens then when Lowe comes back Morrow can go to Tacoma to work on his control and breaking pitches so he can be a starter next year.
Also, I agree with you Jason when you have repeatedly said that the only way Jones and Wlad make it up to the bigs next year is if they replace Sexson’s bat with a left handed one, but I just noticed that Wlad hits righties much better then he hits lefties. Does that increase the liklyhood at all that he will get called up next year?
I would love to see Wlad in the Mariner outfield in 2008, but it is unlikely due to the current structure of the team. Everyone wants to get rid of Sexson, but you also get rid of 30-40 HR’s, and over 100 RBI’s. You have to replace that too.
The Mariners are good when Ichiro is great, and this year he’s been great.
Ummm. 2004 says ‘hello’ ;-)
But, yeah. He’s a $20 million player, even at his age.
Nice work on the radio today Jason. That’s the first time I have actually heard Triunfel’s name verbalized. I was thinking it was pronounced “Try-un-ful” this whole time.
Good to hear you backing the big club and even calling for an extension for Bavasi.
Ichiro was only GOOD in 2004… so many infield hits and bleeding singles that meant nothing to the team at all.
It wasn’t selfish, just meaningless to the team’s success, because they were so bad.
And he was in right field.
This year, he’s among the top half-dozen defensive center fielders in the game, or better, and is hitting when the team needs him to hit and running in more important situations.
I’m not the biggest Ichiro fan, but he’s earned that fourth year from my POV since he’s proven he hasn’t lost much at age 33.
I still don’t wanna give him 20 mil per, but I’m ok with a 4-year deal.
Re:Bavasi
Not sure he actually deserves an extension. I wouldn’t give him one.
But how long until the club starts thinking that way if they aren’t already?
It might be a good way to keep him from trading the farm for Carlos Silva.
Ichiro did seem focused on getting as many hits as possible in a year that it took him 262 hits just to score 101 runs. To me that explains the team enough for me to understand why. 2004 was a horrible year for this franchise aside from the Ichiro hit parade. He did more for the team IMO by breaking the hits record than he could have trying to lift a team of broken veterans. 262 hits (most he’s recorded) 101 Runs (least he’s recorded). I don’t blame him…it really was the worst offense I’ve seen in Seattle since 92 or 93. BTW his 320 TB is the most he’s had in a season as well as his .372 BA, but he appears more productive to the team this year, and that was your main point. The team was in shambles by the middle of 04 and that’s not Ichiro’s fault. I mean it’s astounding to think someone hit .372 over 704 AB’s and barely scored 100 runs…
I hope they can get together on a 4/60M contract. Not that I think that will happen. I’ve never seen Ichiro smile so much as he was after the Blanton incident. It wasn’t a full second before half the team was out of the dugout. That incident may have had a lasting effect on the team as a whole and Ichiro’s desire to stay with the team. Felix was even jumping to get into it. Thanks Blanton. Right now is not technically during the season, so contract talks could take place right. They’re on a break, right?
I think Ichiro and the Mariners agree to a deal sometime between July 2 and November 1.
geez seems like some of you guys are baggin on ichiro….jason ellison wouldnt be too happy
whatever ichiro would of done in 2004, it wouldnt of been enough of a difference for anything to happen..
I just thought of something.
i·ron·ic
–adjective
1.Containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark. Ex. The Mariners stubbornness to promote Adam Jones was ironic, considering their overaggressive promotion with all other prospects.
Jason, any progress to report on the signing of draftees Phillippe Aumont,Denny Almonte and Donnie Hume?
I think Ichiro and the Mariners agree to a deal sometime between July 2 and November 1.
Heh. How does between July 10th and July 13th sound???
In lots of people’s mind, including yours, Church, he’s not a $20 million player. But in mine and Dave Cameron’s, he truly is…
Nice subtle name dropping Paulie, LOL.
I know from outside convo’s with Paul that JAC and I kind of agree on Ichiro. We love the guy, think he’s an all-world talent, but damn, that’s a lot of dough for a leadoff hitter and defensive player extrodinaire. But hey, he’s ours for another 5 years.
And as a subquote, I am thrilled that Ichiro will be on this club for another 5 seasons.
My feeling has a qualification, though…
ON THE FIELD he isn’t worth 20 mil per for 5 years… if you include the rest of his value, he is.
Nice subtle name dropping Paulie, LOL.
I know from outside convo’s with Paul that JAC and I kind of agree on Ichiro. We love the guy, think he’s an all-world talent, but damn, that’s a lot of dough for a leadoff hitter and defensive player extrodinaire. But hey, he’s ours for another 5 years.
Yeah, well, Dave & I won! Heh. Actually, I think everyone wins here. It even helps the franchise value, really.
Do I agree that it’s a lot of dough for that type of player? Sure. But if we’re going to overpay for people, you gotta overpay for the right ones. Ichiro’s the right type of player to overpay for. He’s a superstar, has an incredible workout routine, and is the type of player that ages well generally anyway.
I’d much rather give Ichiro $100 million than a FA SP…
JAC, I agree 100%. His baseball skillset isn’t worth that type of contract. BUT, what he brings to the team and city makes it a solid contract. I have no issue with it and glad that he’s back.
If the rumors are right, he’ll need to play pretty well to earn $100 million. Seems somewhere between 75 and 90 mil will be either guaranteed or attained with easily reachable incentives… another 10-16 mil with somewhat tougher incentives, such as plate appearances.
I have also heard that if he wins another MVP, he gets a rather enormous bonus of like 7 million snaps.
Let me be the first to say I’m glad I was wrong. I always advocated dealing Ichiro (especially in the offseason) because I didn’t think this team would win, and because I thought Ichiro didn’t want to be here anymore.
I’m VERY happy I was wrong.
Now, let’s put AJ in LF, move Raul to DH, go get another starter, and win this darn thing!!!
For any other team, he’s not worth that kind of scratch. But, he is the face of this franchise. He puts alot of extra butts in the seats, just because he’s who he is.
It would be like Jeter leaving the Yankees. He’s worth more to them than anyone else, because he is the face of the Yankees.
BTW….I’m all for Ichiro getting more money for an MVP crown…..because they generally don’t award it to players on teams that don’t make the playoffs.
;)
Pssstttt……Mr. Lincoln….if you are reading……
You want a nearly sold out house this summer? Go trade for Griffey. Between him and Ichiro, they’d draw at least an extra 10K fans a game.
And, on the baseball side, the M’s could use some more power in the lineup. Imagine….Griffey in RF, Ichiro in CF and Guillen in LF. Yes, I know it means Jones has to wait to get an everyday gig….but just half a year. Seattle can find a way to bring him up and work him in to get some at bats. But, to make a run at the playoffs, they need Guillen to get 75% of the ABs.
One has to salivate over the idea of those three arms in the OF……then Jones moving to RF and Griffey LF next season.
Hmmmm, Vidro or Ibanez as the DH? OK, so it’s not close. But, I would keep Vidro for this season and move Ellison. Vidro and Broussard’s bats on the bench make this a playoff caliber team. Vidro can be traded before next season, even if at a loss.
OK Howie, your window of opportunity is opened….don’t waste it.
Psst… Mr. Lincoln, don’t trade for Griffey. The Reds will want too much, he’s a defensive liability, and the Adam Jones era needs to start yesterday.
Yeah, the world as we know it will come to an end, if Adam Jones has to wait until next year to get the full-time gig.
It’s about creating an atmosphere that hasn’t been since 2001.
Defensive liability? Yeah, he’s not what he use to be, but Griffey at 75% is better than most at 100%. He still gets great reads on the ball.
Adam Jones has a greater chance to struggle, by a long ways, than some want to admit. Griffey plugs into that spot for three years, maybe 4 as he switches to DH.
This team needs PR as much as it needs the playoffs. Imagine the message it would send throughout the league….and within the division.
Would he cost alot? Sure, but he wouldn’t cost Adam Jones, especially if Seattle picks up alot of his salary.
Do I expect it to happen? No. But, if the Mariners want to bring excitement back….signing Ichiro then bringing back Griffey would be two moves that would put the eyes of baseball on Seattle.
But, it’s more important to get a rookie some playing time, than set a tone for now and the future.
It’s a business, more than it’s a game.
Not sure what #36 is trying to say,but it doesn’t matter.
Ichiro re-signs! Woo hoo!!!!
Adam Jones starts Thursday in right field!!! Woo hoo!!
Vidro goes to the bench!!! Woo hoo!!
All the right moves.
I hope the Ms keep Ellison, and jettison a reliever.
Great day in Mariner land. Woo hoo!!!
im coming whether im invited or not
ignore that, that shoulda been in the party time thing