A Yankees MVP ballot
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 17, 2012 
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A regular MVP ballot has room for 10 players. Here’s what my Yankees MVP ballot would look like.
1. Derek Jeter
2. Robinson Cano
3. Hiroki Kuroda
4. Rafael Soriano
5. CC Sabathia
6. Nick Swisher
7. Curtis Granderson
8. Dave Robertson
9. Phil Hughes
10. Mark Teixeira
Logically, I know that Cano had the best season. I know that he’s the Yankees best player. I know that every stat available says he was the hands down, no doubt team MVP and a top five MVP candidate in the league.
But after watching this team all year, I find it hard to wrap my head around him being this particular team’s most valuable player for this particular season. Maybe expectations are too high, or maybe his failures are more memorable than his successes. Whatever it is, I’m willing to conceed that Cano is a nearly impossible-to-argue choice at the top, I just think that this particular team needed Jeter more than it needed Cano. The Yankees didn’t have anyone else to do what Jeter did at the top of the order, plus Cano had significant struggles against lefties and, for huge chunks of the season, with runners in scoring position.
Just like on my Cy Young ballot, I have a hard time saying a closer is more valuable than an ace. And Kuroda pitched like an ace through most of the season. That said, Soriano’s up high because I remember what that clubhouse felt like on the day Mariano Rivera was hurt. To me, there’s no question those four were the Yankees most valuable players.
The rest is making sometimes absurd choices between players who really have nothing in common. How do you compare the team’s home run leader, against its wins leader, against its setup man? How do you account for Ichiro Suzuki’s partial season (which came at exactly the right time) or Eric Chavez’s terrific year (which came when they needed help at third base) or Andy Pettitte’s injury-shortened return (with outstanding numbers when he was healthy)?
Associated Press photo
1.Jeter
2.Soriano
3.Kuroda
4.CC
5.Granderson
6.Swisher
7.Hughes
8.Drob
9.Tex
10.Arod
Signed
Mark Feinsand
Cannot see jeter over cano. Cano got on base more, is a better defender, and hit for way more power. If jeter could not be replaced at the top of the order, cano could not be replaced in the middle of it.
For me it comes down to Jeter being more consistent. And this team was REALLY needing consistency.
Also Cano had some lapses this year ( like RISP— Cano had 20 more RISP AB’s- 149 than Jete -129, yet they both had 40 hits) with the biggest lapse in the Post-season.
But I’m not going to argue with anyone who thinks Cano is the right choice. He was really good most of the time.
Before all this went down, I was pleased to see Toronto adding middle relief ( except I was sorry about Snider for Lincoln – not any more ) I loved Dalabar for Thames as Eric just couldn’t get it.
Cano is a special player, no worse than Alomar.
Interesting ballot Chad but personally I would go with…
1. Cano
2. Jeter
3. Kuroda
4. Sabathia
5. Soriano
6. Swisher
7. Hughes
8. Teixeira
9. Granderson
10. Chavez
Is Soriano going to be with you guys? Keep him and Rivera too!
Ibanez isn’t on anyone’s ballot?!
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/.....eam-79330/
This is cool. The 189 million dollar team. Now if this is what our 189 million dollar team would look like I would be all for it.
Shame, I thought about Ibanez too, but was afraid to say anything
Why do you continue to protect Cashman. Worst GM in AL east. No doubt George would have fired him several times over for the way he’s performed since Georges’ death. What Cashman & Hal are doing to the Yanks is a disgrace. The only thing you hear about the Yanks & free agent is ” we’re not in the conversation!”
Filthy, I don’t know what’s going on with your team, just used to seeing N.Y. Do what is necessary.
Jeter belongs at the top. There is a always the modifying factor of actually seeing the games rather than just running numbers. If Bill James knew stuff then the Red Sox would have had better results than they did. Metrical evaluations matter as a reminder of what you have already seen or to create perspective between individuals. Jeter is the leader and there are significant and observable reasons for that.
Barry, hi! Jeter is a most significant leader, No Doubt, Gwen.
Enjoy Cano!
Just a thought, but what about bringing Berkman back. He can take Ibanez spot on the roster.
They need a cheap DH and back-up 1B and he would fit the bill. Hell he’s a .300 lifetime hitter as a lefty maybe he can platoon if Texie keeps struggling.
Tar, good for you, no matter what, you have to keep the ideas coming.
J mills
Better than rumours, Stevie. But you can go your own way. Bon appetite mon ami.
Tar, me and Alex Lifeson thank you!
JMills- you are closer to my heart, because it’s what you say about society. After all they just call me a working man.
Tar…..Your Heels looked good in the 2nd half last night vs. Long Beach State……….Young team but they’ll surprise many come February
Thanks Pat M. I didn’t get to watch last night, but they are a work in progress. McAdoo is the real deal though. Top 5 pick especially if he keeps getting better like he has up to now.
Jeter is replaced by Nunez.
Cano is replaced by Nunez.
Which hurts more?
Re-sign Rivera, Pettitte, Ibanez, Stewart, Nix, Chavez, Jones, and Rapada for 2013 only, Soriano through 2014.
Sign Joakim Soria for 2013 only
Rotation: Sabathia/Hughes/Pettitte/Nova/Phelps
Bullpen: Rivera/Robertson/Soriano/Soria/Logan/Rapada/Aardsma
Bench: Stewart/Nix/Chavez/Jones
Starting Nine/Batting Order:
Gardner CF L (Pinch-hit for him with Jones vs. LHP, move Granderson to CF, Jones LF)
Jeter SS R
Cano 2B L
Teixiera 1B S
Granderson LF L
Rodriguez 3B R
Ibanez DH L
Martin C R
Dickerson RF L (Pinch hit for him with Jones vs. LHP, Jones RF)
Trade for a starting pitcher and/or an outfielder in midseason if needed.
I meant to say re-sign Martin, too (two years at $10M a year, only $2.5M less than the initial 3 year $7.5M a year $22.5M total offer the Yanks made to him for one less year.)
…and start Jones in RF vs.LHP.
Cano. The past 4 years Cano has averaged .314 .365 .534 .899 and his defense has been out of this world. Jeter plays the more important position but not as well and doesn’t hit as well. Nunez is way more capable of getting close to Jeter’s production than he is of reaching Cano and his range is a lot better than Jeter so he’ll get to more balls. The amount he throws away is irrelevant since that will occur at both positions.
Stewart, Nix, and Rapada are making the league minimum and under team control for like the next 4 years each. They don’t need to be re-signed, only cut if the Yankees don’t want them anymore.
The yankees need to try and trade for Giancarlo Stanton—the guy wants to leave the team anyways and so we could probably pry him away more easily. Trade at least Nova & one of our biggest lower level OFs, sweeten it with Phelps and maybe another position player.
He’s kind of a beast (Stanton) and could be an opportunity…
Cano seemed to disappear at times this year.
Jeter was an awesome, consistent leader, and his value was so obvious after he went down in the playoffs. This team has NO ONE that can fill his shoes.
I think Tex’s defense is such that he should be higher on the MVP list. He must save 20 errors a year with his handling of throws to first base.