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Does Justin Verlander deserve MVP consideration?
The Tigers lost last night in Anaheim. Justin Verlander is their starting pitcher tonight as they try to turn it around against the Angels. The expectation is the Tigers will win. That the bleeding will stop.
This season, Verlander has pitched extraordinarily well following Tigers' defeats, getting eight of his 11 victories under such circumstances. Another victory came over Cleveland when the Tigers were deadlocked for first place in the American League Central with the Indians.
Doesn't this make Verlander a candidate not only for the Cy Young Award, but also for MVP?
Statistically, Verlander has been a marvel this season. But it isn't just that he is performing exceptionally well, but when.
Without him, the Tigers wouldn't be close to a playoff contender.
The concept of a pitcher securing the MVP Award is not a novel one. The last two times the Tigers won the World Series, 1968 and 1984, Denny McLain and Willie Hernandez were named American League MVP.
It's just it hasn't happened at all since 1992 when Oakland closer Dennis Eckersley was A.L. MVP. It was fairly common the years before that in the American League. Roger Clemens (1986), Rollie Fingers (1982) and Vida Blue (1971) also were named A.L. MVP as pitchers, in addition to Hernandez and McLain. No National League pitcher has been named MVP since Bob Gibson in 1968.
The arguments against a pitcher being named MVP are valid. A starter only works once every fifth game. A closer usually just an inning, and about half the games - if that.
But let me ask you this question, what American League player been as valuable to his team as Justin Verlander has been to the Tigers so far this year?
I can't think of one, can you?
Some thoughts on the Tigers pitching overall:
This season, Verlander has pitched extraordinarily well following Tigers' defeats, getting eight of his 11 victories under such circumstances. Another victory came over Cleveland when the Tigers were deadlocked for first place in the American League Central with the Indians.
Doesn't this make Verlander a candidate not only for the Cy Young Award, but also for MVP?
Statistically, Verlander has been a marvel this season. But it isn't just that he is performing exceptionally well, but when.
Without him, the Tigers wouldn't be close to a playoff contender.
The concept of a pitcher securing the MVP Award is not a novel one. The last two times the Tigers won the World Series, 1968 and 1984, Denny McLain and Willie Hernandez were named American League MVP.
It's just it hasn't happened at all since 1992 when Oakland closer Dennis Eckersley was A.L. MVP. It was fairly common the years before that in the American League. Roger Clemens (1986), Rollie Fingers (1982) and Vida Blue (1971) also were named A.L. MVP as pitchers, in addition to Hernandez and McLain. No National League pitcher has been named MVP since Bob Gibson in 1968.
The arguments against a pitcher being named MVP are valid. A starter only works once every fifth game. A closer usually just an inning, and about half the games - if that.
But let me ask you this question, what American League player been as valuable to his team as Justin Verlander has been to the Tigers so far this year?
I can't think of one, can you?
Some thoughts on the Tigers pitching overall:
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:52 AM
10 Comments:
Pat I agree with your article and the Tigers should take full advantage of Verlander by trading for a sidekick. Two aces can win best of seven series. We got one ace now lets find another one. Doesn't matter what you give up for them because an Ace is an Ace.
Maybe but why are we talking about this now?
I can think of a couple on the Tigers alone who have been more valuable - but who aren't going (one not yet anyway) to this all star game - Paralta and V-Mart.
Verlander pitched GREAT again last night - but they lost because of no run support - and aside from last night how many times do you see one or the other or both stranded on base?
I think the doldrums have started. I hope it's good this year that they start before the All Star break and can clear up after it's over.
Good stuff again Book.
Verlander as MVP? Are you serious? He only plays every fifth day. I don't care how good he is. If he only participates in 20% of the games, he shouldn't even be in the conversation for MVP.
I agree with Anonymous above.
Say V gets 18 wins but 2 are blowouts offensively that any other pitcher could win. During those 18 wins, Verlander needs team support to win.
Now say the team wins 91 games so Verlander would be responsible for 16-18% of the wins.
Now take the 2-3 MVP contenders and take their sluggling average, OPS (walks pitching around him), etc. and I think the Big Pounder wins almost every time.
Barry,
The Tigers could use a fifth starter, but don't see them going after a high-priced starter.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Just the general concept - should a pitcher be named MVP. Hasn't happened in awhile.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
I understand your point about Martinez and Peralta. Can you imagine where the Tigers would be without those two?
Caputo
Anonymous,
I generally agree with you, but the Tigers might be where the Twins are now without him this season.
Caputo
Anonymous,
Right now, though, I'd pick Verlander as the Tigers MVP over Cabrera. If one was gone, which loss would have hindered the Tigers' record more?
Caputo
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