MLB NL MVP Award for 2007. Who will win ?
It’s getting to be that time of the year again. The smell of victory and the smell of defeat are already making their rounds and some fans are looking forward to their favorite team making the playoffs while other fans are looking at their favorite team to be the spoiler of other teams playoff dreams. Entering into September once again brings up the timely question of which player will win the covetted National League MVP award.
This year we have several excellent players who have turned the corner coming out of the All Star break and have been heading for greateness with solid play. While I won’t try to make a prediction about who’s going to actually win, I’m going to toss out who some of the most likely contenders for the crown are in 2007.
If you’d like to cast a vote, please visit our forum thread :
BaseballTalkPro 2007 NL MVP Poll
The Players
Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia Phillies - Shortstop) : Due to the tremendous response from Phillies fans on this blog, I’ve added the incredible Jimmy Rollins into the MVP list. I was at the Phillies game 9/25/2007 and the fans just kept chanting “MVP every time Rollins was at bat and especially after he popped a first inning solo home run to become the second player in team history with 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season. Rollins is batting .293 with 30 home runs, 91 RBI’s, 134 runs scored and 37 stilen bases. He also has 38 doubles and 18 triples making him the first player in Phillies franchise history to join the 30/30/30 club. This guy deserves the MVP.
Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies - First Base) : Phillies slugger Ryan Howard is currently leading the NL for RBI’s with 113 runs batted in to his credit. He’s currently second in total home runs in the NL, only trailing Brewers maestro Prince Fielder. As if that weren’t enough, Ryan is posting an impressive .269 batting average in 2007. This slugger is a fearsome opponent for any pitcher he faces. Even though the Phillies have been chasing the Mets and Braves this year in the NL East, Howard has been a consistent performer in the Phillies roster. Ryan is my personal favorite in this list because he’s such a humble player off the field despite all of his accomplishments on the field.
David Wright (New York Mets - Third Base) : A definite fan’s favorite, David Wright actually surpassed The Yankees’ Derek Jeter this summer in overall jeresy sales for a New York player (and that’s quite an accomplishment). On the field, Wright has been more than impressive, batting .316 with 26 home runs and 91 RBI’s Wright has posted some of the best numbers of his career. Always a formidable threat to opponents, Wright has stolen 30 bases and scored 94 runs so far in 2007. David Wright is possible going to enter the 30/30 club this year (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases) if he can manage 4 more home run in September.
Chipper Jones (Atlanta Braves - Third Base) : What would an MVP race be without Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones name not being tossed into the mix? Even though Chipper was sidelined earlier in the season, he’s come out after the All Star break like a “bat out of hell” and has been putting up impressive numbers going into September. Chipper is batting .329 with 23 home runs and 82 RBI’s. Jones is a mainstay on the Braves team and when he’s healthy, the Braves are in contention for the post season. Did I mention, Chipper Jones is also a great defensive player with a rocket arm? Plus he’s uber motivational to the young talent in the Braves lineup.
Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants - Left Field) : So Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s record this year despite all the controvery. It’s not as though Giants fans have had too much reason to cheer this season but they do love Bonds and it shows. Although Barry Bonds is no longer a daily starter he has still managed to compile a .277 batting average with 28 home runs and 66 RBI’s in 2007. Barry has been the model for consistency that many of the younger players today attempt to emulate. Barry Bonds probably won’t take the mVP award because this years pack is so talented and agressive but his name is worth dropping into the hat regardless.
Hanley Ramirez - (Florida Marlins - Shortstop) : Suprise, suprise!! Who would have guessed that the Florida Marlins would once again bring the best young talent into the league. Hanley Ramirez has been a true shocker this year. It’s not as if he didn’t have an exceptional year last year, but in 2007 he’s run up a .333 batting average, 24 home runs and 67 RBI’s for the fish. To top it all off, this speedster had bagged 46 stolen bases and 107 runs for the struggling Marlins, and there’s still a month of baseball left to play !! While the Marlins pitching staff has continued to drop games (particularly Dontrelle Willis), Hanley has given fans something to cheer about.
Prince Fielder (Milwaukee Brewers - First Base) : Despite the emergence of Brewers talented rookie Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder has been putting up stats in 2007 that would make any major leaguer proud. The ever popular slugger is leading the NL with 41 home runs while maintaining an impressive .285 batting average and driving in 41 home runs for the Brew Crew. Fielder has eclipsed his previous seasons’ impressive totals and has been banging on the door all season long in 2007. Although a true slugger and not necessarily known for his speed, Prince has scored a personal best 91 times this year to help put his team, the Brewers into contention for the NL Central.
Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies - Second Base) : Chase Utley had a great season in 2006 and he’s following it up by having another great season in 2007. Although his home run count is down, his average is up considerably and most importantly his strikeout count is down by a whopping percentage making Chase a much more dangerous batter when he steps up to the plate (especially if there’s runners in scoring position). He’s currently leading the NL with his .341 batting average and he’s posted 18 home runs with 90 RBI’s so far in 2007. Although he had a slow start this year, Utley has turned on the overdrive heading into September and has been putting up numbers like they were nothing.
Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals - First Base) : Albert Pujols, the superstar from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has been in typical form once again in 2007. Pujols has been hanging with the league leaders since the beginning of the season and has turned up the heat heading into September. Albert Pujols has proven time and again he’s one of the most talented sluggers in the major leagues and if he reamins healthy he could be seeing an induction into Cooperstown. This year he’s posting a .316 batting average, 30 home runs and 84 RBI’s. Despite the Cardinals battling the Cubs and Brewers for control of the NL Central, Pujols has remained focused and has been living up to the fans expectations.
Matt Holliday (Colorado Rockies - Left Field) : Matt Holliday entered the season with high expectations after his All Star finishes in the 2005 and 2006 seasons and in 2007, he’s surpassed those expectations by leaps and bounds. Matt is currently in the National league leaders for batting average and RBI’s. To date he’s posted a .334 batting average with 25 home runs and 110 RBI’s. He’s also scored 93 runs and has stolen 9 bases. Although his Colorado Rockies are 5 games back in 4th place in the NL West, the Rockies would be leading their division if they were in the NL Central. Post season doesn’t appear to be an option for the Rockies but that’s not stopping Matt Holliday from continuing to rip it up at the end of the season.
Miguel Cabrera - (Florida Marlins - Third Base) : Although the Marlins appeared to be contenders in the beginning of the season, they’s rapidly descended to the back of the NL East and their role has now become that of a spoiler for other teams with playoff aspirations. Enter Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins resident slugger who’s posted a .315 batting average with 31 home runs and 96 RBI’s. The Venezuela born Cabrera has been striking fear into opposing pitchers all year long and now as the playoffs approach he’ll surely take the opportunity to knock off a few points from opposing pitchers’ ERA’s.
Well, there you have it, just my humble opinion but these are the most likely candidates for National League MVP in 2007. Honorable mentions go out to Adam Dunn (Cincinatti Reds), Ken Griffey Jr. (Cincinatti Reds), Lance Berkman (Houston Astros), Dan Uggla (Florida Marlins), Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers), Chris B. Young (Arizona Diamondbacks), Freddy Sánchez (Pittsburgh Pirates), Carlos Beltrán (New York Mets) and Derrek Lee (Chicago Cubs).
If you’d like to cast a vote, please visit our forum thread :
BaseballTalkPro 2007 NL MVP Poll
September 6th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
None of those players really jump out for me for being MVP quality except for Barry Bonds and maybe Matt Holliday. I don’t care for Prince Fielder and feel he has a bad attitude and there is plenty of sluggers on the brewers discounting the need for him as a “Most valuable player”. Bonds is doing unbelievable for his age, is reliable, broke the record, and the giants have played a high importance on him.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I personally like Ryan Howard. I had the opportunity to see him live three times this year when I went to Philly to see the Braves play the Phils and Ryan Howard definitely gets the crowd going when he steps up to the plate.
Prince Fielder is on the list but I doubt he’d win because Ryan Braun has showed him up in Milwaukee but I don’t think Braun will have enough plate appearnaces to be in the running. Does Bonds have enough plate appearances? I know he hasn’t been starting every day.
Hanley Ramirez is another one who has fired it up this year even though the Marlins just fell apart after Dontrelle Willis had those family issues and came back and started losing like crazy.
David Wright (Mets) will probably take it if he makes the 30/30 club. Honestly, the guy has been nothing short of incredible this year.
September 7th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
what about Jimmy Rollins. I live in Philadelphia and personaly I think he is one of our top players besieds Utley and Howard. He has speed and can bunt for a hit. Hit homeruns, scores…and alot of times scroes in the first inning to get the Phillies in the lead. To me he is the best canadiate.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I agree Jimmy Rollins is doing excellent this year and he’s a very talented player but Howard and Utley’s stats are better than his.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:39 am
The object of the game offensively is to score; Rollins leads the league in run scored. He is also leading in total bases and is tied for 2nd (1 behind) for hits. He has played in every game this season and may well finish as a 30/30 guy. He has also put himself in position to win a gold glove at shortstop. No shortsop has led the NL in TB since Ernie Banks did it for the Cubs. Sounds to me like an MVP.
September 10th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Barry Bonds??? The Giants are 15 games out of the playoffs! He is not the most valuable player in the league if the Giants are not in contention to make the playoffs. Prince Fielder is the a most important player on the Brewers, who went from being a bad team to a playoff team. Fielder deserves MVP more than anyone. I cant believe Bonds is even mentioned for this.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:03 am
I think Wright will take it this year. With the show he put on after starting out slumping he deserves it.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Im gonnga have to go with D-Wright. He has just been so clutch. None of those 28 HR he has hit or those 95 RBI have been add on runs. And u cant complain about that .316 Batting AVG
September 11th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
@Tom, Bonds is mentioned because of the obvious. Every AP writer has him somewhere on the list.
@All you Jimmy Rollins fans, ok, ok, ok, I’ll go back and edit the post and add him. He is in the “honorable mention” list. I live in Delaware and go to many Phillies games and quite honestly, as I’ve stated, it seems Chase and Ryan really light up the crowd. MVP isn’t purely about the numbers, there are other factor, but I’m seeing most of you Phils fans are big on Jimmy, so I’ll edit the post just for you even if I am a Braves fan and only go to Citizens park when the Phils play the Braves. I do wish the Phils would make the postseason since the Braves suck so bad.
@James and Brad, yeah, David Wright is totally awesome… I think he will probably get it.
September 14th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Uhh. Hello, D-Wright my friends. Umm he is going to have a 30/30 year and he is the most clutch player in all of baseball. Ryan Howard is great and so is Jimmy Rollins and Fielder but Wright has it. I think the two who deserve it most are jimmy rollins and Wright. Now having a 30/30 year is unbelievable. David Wright has the best stealing sucess percentage in all of baseball. And the Mets are probably going to make the playoffs, mainly because of the show Wright has put on in July, August and September. And since he had a horrible April and still put up numbers like this he should win it hands down. If he was good in april he would finish .325 avg, 35 homers, 115 rbis, 110 runs and 35 stolen bases.
September 15th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Even though Chase Utley missed one month with a broken hand, he is the top MVP candidate. His numbers are outstanding and is among the tops in most catagories, but his leadership, glove/defense and clutch performances set him apart from all contenders. This guy took a pitch on the hand that broke bones. His comback was remarkable. Chase was Charlie Manuel’s right hand man/asst. mgr. while hurt and present in the dugout. He studies more film than any MLB I can think of, plus his unselfishness and team play and leadership also set him apart from the rest. Numbers plus intangibles equals Utley as MVP.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
The 2007 NL MVP should go to Matt Holliday of Colorado. His numbers of .341 avg, 36 HR and 131 RBIs are far superior to everyone else’s. Holliday should be the MVP.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I don’t know how all you people can talk about 2 different people on the Phillies without mentioning Holliday. He is 4th in Runs scored, 1st in hits, 1st in Batting Average, 1st in RBIs and 4th in Home runs. I really don’t even see any room for arguement. The Phillies are only 1.5 games ahead of the Rockies so team record won’t come into consideration. Tell me again what your arguement is for somebody who missed a whole month of the season???
September 20th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
i think jeter is better then a-rod. wow 52 homeruns and 141 rbi is great
but jeter has more experience. a-rod came through in 14 big situations
jeter came in handy in 44. big difference
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
It’s HOLLIDAY all the way. 34 hrs, 123 rbi’s, and a .339 average
CAN’T be compared to. He’s on his way to a triple crown and the ROCKIES ARE still in it because of the one man wrecking crew.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I’m going to have to go with Matt Holliday. I wish that all the writers weren’t so political on when it comes to what team players play for. Even though he plays in Colorado I think he has a chance to win it. He’s helped Colorado in so many tight situations, and is very clutch. The Rockies have won the last six games and are on a roll right now. He is the league leader in total bases, third in RBI’s, fifth in batting avg., second in doubles, and sixth in home runs. He tied for third in the home-run derby, and in my opinion should of started and I think would have started in the all-star game if it was played any where other than San Francisco. His numbers tell the story and if you get the chance to watch him as much as I have then you’ll really appreciate his performance on the field.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Go to this website and you’ll see another reason why i think holliday should win.
Rockies endorse Holliday for MVP
September 24th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I think right now it’s really only comes down to being either Prince Fielder or Matt Holliday. Holliday has the ave. and RBI numbers, however with Prince’s power numbers, he has to get this award. He has carried that Brewer team all season long and the dude is only 23!!!! If he ends up with 50 HR’s and 120+ RBI’s, hands down it’s his, even if the Brewers don’t win the decision. Both are deserving players to his the award, but I think Prince will win it!…….Just think if Braun had a full season though. He would be in the conversation as well
September 25th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Holliday has been tearing it up all season but he’s really been performing exceptionally now at the end of the season. I was leaning towards David Wright but the Mets have just been choking recently so i’d have to put my bid on Matt Holliday at this point.
@Ryan, yeah too bad Ryan Braun wasn’t called up earlier or else he’d be my favorite.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:07 am
David Wright is a great player. I am from Philly and hate the Mets, but he, unlike the rest of his cast who are choking down the stretch, is still going strong. However, J-Roll is having an incredible season. Don’t forget the Phills have had serious pitching injuries all year, and have 40+ come from behind wins thanks to J-Roll. His numbers speak for themself, but the intangibles are leadership and clutch hits. The Howard-Utley-Rollins trio will probably cancell all of them out, but you can’t deny Jimmy Rollins ability to carry the Phils to all these come from behind wins and there 13 games over 500 with the pitching they have. I will be ok if Wright wins it though, as long as Reyes gets the 2nd best shortstop award in the NL.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
OK everybody, I edited the post and added Jimmy Rollins at the top of the list. I was at the game last night (9/25/2007) in the Phillies unfortunate loss to the Braves and every time Rollins was at bat, the crowd was cheering MVP. They went wild when he homered in the first. Jimmy is the first player in Phillies franchise history to make the 30/30/30 club (30 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 30 doubles).
Please vote for him on our forum poll…
2007 NL MVP Poll
And here’s a video I shot last night 9/25/2007 (Unfortunately the Phils lost) when Jimmy hit a home run. My stupid camera tookso long to load so I missed taping him rounding the bases but you can see the crowds reaction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k2XjzJNgcg
OK, Jimmy Rollins has my vote and I’m doing an “All Star” article on him for the blog, will post it as soon as I’m done.
Jimmy Rollins is definitely on my list of first picks for Fantasy Baseball next year.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
just wanted to keep you guys posted… Matt Holliday has been amazing lately but when has he not. I think you all know that the Rockies have one 11 in a row. No one else can say they one that many games in a row and tonight its going to be 12 because the rockies have got there number one pitcher and matt has helped them win every game.
I don’t see any one else winning it besides Prince Fielder he is doing pretty good right now too. I have to give it to that guy the youngest guy ever to hit 50! unbelievable!!! Matt holliday has the numbers he has a .338 batting average second in the nl, he leads the nl in rbi hits and total bases, and is in fourth in home runs. Look on mlb.com and go to league leaders and he’s in the top ten in just about every categorie.
@ Ryan yeah prince is doing exeptional right now, hopefully he helps his team into the playoffs as well as holliday does because these two teams are on fire right now and hopefully carry it into the playoffs.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Wright will win, 30 HR, 107 RBI, 326 AVG, 34 SB can’t do much better then that.
September 30th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Um Folks… Clearly after todays Division Win, Jimmy Rollins is the MVP. Even a few weeks ago it was clear.
Not only is he the 4th player to reach 20 20 20 and 20 club, he actually has 30 HR 38 2B 20 3B and 42 SB. He has near 100 RBIs (hes a lead off hitter). Oh and leads the NL in Runs. And thats just a look at the stats.
Add in the fact that he is also a soothsayer as well as a leader. And sparked the biggest collapse in MLB history. (1964 Phillies wasn’t his fault)
MVP voting will go like this
1. Jimmy Rollins
2. Ryan Howard
3. Chase Utley
4. Everybody else
…or something like that…
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:49 am
Holiday sealed the deal tonight — Rockies WIN!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:24 pm
An MVP would know how to judge that ball in left and he would have learned in little league that you DO NOT slide head first into home. Look at his stats away from Coors Field… 40 points difference!
In Colorado, he (Holliday) is the MVP. In the League, Jimmy Rollins took his 4-11 team into a division win and carried the entire city on his back. Rollins is clearly more valuable then Holliday.
October 7th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Greg, youneed to stop takingdrugs. Jimmy rollins is loser like the rest of his team. I’m just glad you toady Phillies fansgot swept.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Dude Matty is by far the choice. There’s no comparison, Jimmy hits the ball hard and can run but he’s not even the most exciting player on his team, not to mention he’s not consistent, his average isn’t close to what it needs to be for a lead off guy. As for the rest of the guys on that team, explain to me how 3 potential MVP’s can get sweeped in the first round of the playoffs. Whoever the guy is that picked Bonds has to work at a steroid company or something cause he had horrible #’s, and no longer gets any respect from the game. Prince Fielder did play well early in the season but after the break he didn’t have the same zest on his game and ultimately lost his chances of winning when his team lost in the playoff run. If you ask me the only competition is Wright, but he’s a leader on that team and when they needed him most, they choked and had a massive collapse. And then their is Matt Holliday, in that final run for the playoffs, every member of the rockies looked to him for motivation, and he pulled through for one of the greatest playoff runs in history. If that ain’t enough, his #’s aren’t too bad either.
PREDICTION:
Matt Holliday
David Wright
Jimmy Rollins
Chase Utley
Eric Byrnes (he may not be an option, but he led a great team this year)
November 13th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
WOW! Greg and Kevin are you for real? Prince is top two for sure!
November 18th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Jimmy Rollins………………..enough said
November 18th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
The only reason why Jimmy Rollins might not get it is because philly fans won’t know who to vote for Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, or Ryan Howard.
November 19th, 2007 at 5:47 am
The only reason Jimmy Rollins will lose is because Matt Holliday is in his way.
November 19th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Jimmy Rollins is the best. His average may not be the highest, but he is such a great defensive player and so exciting to watch. Unfortunately, Howard and Utley were out part of the season due to injuries, but they also deserve a mention. David wright and Prince Fielder also earned some credit, But J-Rol is it!
November 20th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Well, looks like Jimmy Rollins won it !!!! I thought he really deserved it.
Check out our forum thread…
http://www.baseballtalkpro.com/forum/index.php/topic,447.0.html