Does Miguel Cabrera Already Have a MVP Vote?

by Ian Casselberry on Aug 29, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Judging by his blog entry from last night, the Detroit News's Tom Gage may have already filled out his MVP ballot. Or at least it appears he knows how he'll vote.

The Tigers are 16-2 when Cabrera gets more three hits or more in a game this season. When he gets fewer than three, however, they are 52-57.

He is the difference between being marginally mediocre and sometimes a notch higher.

Gage has shown his bias for the hometown guy before, of course. Back in 2007, he and the Oakland Press's Jim Hawkins were the only two writers that voted for Magglio Ordonez over Alex Rodriguez. Gage's justification back then was "I went with what I saw." Would he veer from that philosophy this time around?

It certainly wouldn't be a crime to vote for Miguel Cabrera as American League Most Valuable Player. And perhaps Gage is trying to influence some of his fellow voters. The train appears to be picking up steam, and by the end of September, he might look like the best candidate. (Though he'll have to put up some serious numbers to surpass the case Joe Mauer has already made.)

Will the Detroit voting bloc go with what they saw, or what the numbers tell them?

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

This time...

Miguel IS the MVP. Ordonez may not have been back than. But Big Cat is now.

My Music: Some Sorta Giant

by madpoopz on Aug 29, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

and there is no Tiger fan bias from this fan either.

;)

My Music: Some Sorta Giant

by madpoopz on Aug 29, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Magic Number 30 If Tigers go one game over.500 numbers: Twins Sox hav to play above .647

If the Tigers play 18-17 the rest of the way and win 86 games.
The Twins will have to go 22-12 .647 to catch the Tigers.
The Sox will have to go 22-11 .667 to catch the Tigers.
Bring on the Yankees!!!

by Marcmargolis on Aug 29, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

I like those numbers

But let’s not jinx this…

by PDXTiger on Aug 29, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that a fan vote counts

but I would vote for Biggy in a hot second. My heart will always be the #30. However, from a team standpoint Biggy has done a great job this season. He looks like a real first baseman out there and seems to enjoy what he’s doing day after day.

Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.

by Detroitchik on Aug 29, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

No way

I am sorry, I love Cabrera as much as everyone else, but it would take a horrible September for Mauer not to deserve it. He is putting up significantly better numbers while playing a significanly more difficult position. I know we all need things to write/post/talk about, but the only 2 players in the majors having a season on the same level as Mauer are Pujols and Hanley.

by tbliggins on Aug 29, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

mauer is having a truly great year...

Pujols is otherworldly. The best player, and I don’t think its particularly close.

by rook34 on Aug 29, 2009 2:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I don't like the "carrying his team" argument either

Cabrera is said to be carrying this team, whereas Mauer has Morneau and a few other good hitters in his line-up. Teixeira, obviously, falls victim to this argument as well. Which is not to say it’s not a good argument, if it were true . . .

Cabrera is not carrying this team. The pitching staff, or at least most of the starters and the bullpen, are the reason the Tigers are in the position they are today. Their defense, due in only small part to Cabrera’s above average play at first, has also carried them. To say Cabrera is carrying this team more than Mauer because our team has no offense is to make an argument far too narrow.

by The Nicker on Aug 29, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions