Mid-Season Awards Outlook: American League MVP
With a few idle days around the All-Star Break (actually, it's only hours, but it seems like days for most HBD geeks), now seems like the appropriate time to breakdown the awards races for the Duff Beer League.... we'll start with the AL MVP.
The American League is somewhat of a toss-up at this point. Richmond, Memphis, and Scottsdale all have commanding leads in their respective divisions and look to be strong contenders down the stretch. Charlotte, currently 2nd in the AL East, appears to be a near lock for a Wild Card playoff birth, with an impressive 54-37 record at the break. All four teams would make a formidable opponent in Portland's inevitable run to the World Series (I kid, I kid). Nevertheless, there remains a fourth American League division... as much as we would like to forget about it, one team will ultimately represent the NL North in the playoffs. At this point, three teams floundering under .500 are vying for the top of--as Chris Berman would say--the "Norest" division: Scranton, St. Louis, and Chicago. From these seven contending teams, we've narrowed down five MVP candidates. Here goes:
1. Raul Rodriguez, 1B, Richmond: Rodriguez, 26, is among the elite power hitters in the Duff Beer world. He's currently hitting .362, while sporting a ridiculous .466 OBP and slugging .730. He's the clear #1 horse at this point.
2. Denny Vernon, LF, Scottsdale: Only 24, this left-handed slugger will terrorize the American League for many seasons to come. His numbers speak for themselves (.355/.437/.637), but unfortunately, he's poised to play the Justin Morneau to Raul Rodriguez's Dustin Pedroia. Sorry, Denny.
3. Elroy Jody, LF, Richmond: Another power bat from Richmond, Jodie is off to a blistering start, posting a 1.109 OPS over 332 AB's (Yawn). If Raul Rodriguez suffers a serious injury, flees the country, or converts to Scientology in the next 60 games, Jody will be a viable contender.
4. Jesus Camacho, 3B, Memphis: Camacho is the only player with a legitimate opportunity to surpass Rodriguez, as he plays a much more difficult defensive position (and he plays it well, I might add) and he supports a greater offensive burden for his team. The decision will, of course, be left up to the voters.
5. Nap Howington, SS, Richmond: Seriously? A shortstop with an OPS above 1.000? Screw you.
Next up: NL MVP
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Things That Make You Go Hmm
I've been looking around the leagues i've been in lately. I started taking a closer look at the international market, the oversignings, the value signings and i've noticed a pattern that just doesn't make sense to me.
This being that some teams seem to "throw away" payroll. What i mean by this is that they will take $50,000-$1,500,000 and sign some international free agent who by and large could have the same ratings as a lower tier draft pick, only with the draft pick that bonus is around the $17,000-$30,000 price range.
So my question is why waste the payroll when you can get the same thing or better much cheaper in the draft? I believe the answer to my question lies in the nature of the international free agent signing system itself. That is to say that it's set up almost like a lottery or a Ebay auction.
You see the same basic thing as every one else, you then throw your name into a hat & by luck of the draw hope you win. With the lottery you win money, Ebay an item you want, in HBD you "win" the rights to a player of your desire.
It's certain GM's way of giving the draft system the finger. "I don't have a high enough pick to choose that player so i'll sign him in the market."
Which is all fine and dandy if the player is indeed worth it. It has been shown the value of a great IFA can be upwards of $35,000,000 in some worlds(which is to me flat out ridiculous) but everytime i see a 60 overall projected pitcher with poor core numbers sign for $1,300,000 it just makes me go hmm.
Just makes me think of those people who would go and max out their credit cards, re-mortgage their homes & surround themselves in debt before the current credit crisis all because they were sure it'd never come back to haunt them.
Thing of it is, you sign enough of those lower rung guys & you won't have a shot at landing the big fish then they come around.
But hey that's just my 0.02.
This being that some teams seem to "throw away" payroll. What i mean by this is that they will take $50,000-$1,500,000 and sign some international free agent who by and large could have the same ratings as a lower tier draft pick, only with the draft pick that bonus is around the $17,000-$30,000 price range.
So my question is why waste the payroll when you can get the same thing or better much cheaper in the draft? I believe the answer to my question lies in the nature of the international free agent signing system itself. That is to say that it's set up almost like a lottery or a Ebay auction.
You see the same basic thing as every one else, you then throw your name into a hat & by luck of the draw hope you win. With the lottery you win money, Ebay an item you want, in HBD you "win" the rights to a player of your desire.
It's certain GM's way of giving the draft system the finger. "I don't have a high enough pick to choose that player so i'll sign him in the market."
Which is all fine and dandy if the player is indeed worth it. It has been shown the value of a great IFA can be upwards of $35,000,000 in some worlds(which is to me flat out ridiculous) but everytime i see a 60 overall projected pitcher with poor core numbers sign for $1,300,000 it just makes me go hmm.
Just makes me think of those people who would go and max out their credit cards, re-mortgage their homes & surround themselves in debt before the current credit crisis all because they were sure it'd never come back to haunt them.
Thing of it is, you sign enough of those lower rung guys & you won't have a shot at landing the big fish then they come around.
But hey that's just my 0.02.
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