Stock Watch: Posey, Cabrera join MVP talk with hot September starts
Buster Posey, former NL MVP, wasn't anywhere to be seen in this year's MVP discussion for most of this season. But the Giants catcher's big start to September could change that.
It's the same story for Miguel Cabrera, two-time reigning AL MVP.
Posey had such an unspectacular start he didn't even make the NL All-Star team, but a very nice August followed by his superhuman start to September raises the possibility he could impose himself into an NL race that has been fairly seen as a two-man competition between Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the current favorite, and Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Cabrera has been solid at bat but far enough off the pace of his past two seasons that folks have wondered aloud about his soundness (he still doesn't look like he's running normally). Now the Tigers first baseman is showing signs he could start warranting mention in an AL MVP race that has been nearly conceded to rival Mike Trout, the Angels wunderkind who finished second to Cabrera the past two years despite cries from some within the stat set.
Posey very likely won't be able to overtake Stanton, who leads the league in virtually every important offensive category, or even Kershaw, the two-time NL Cy Young winner who is having another season for the ages. But he could provide an interesting alternative to those voters who either favor players on playoff teams (the Giants, who trail the Dodgers by two games in the NL West, are in wild-card position, unlike Stanton's Marlins) or position players (pitchers are a last resort for some voters, though Kershaw's start is eerily similar to Sandy Koufax's in his 1963 MVP season).
Cabrera was receiving more sympathy than support heading into September. But just like Posey, he's hitting his way at least into the discussion. Trout has been brilliant almost all year and remains a clear MVP leader, and Cabrera is a good distance away. Trout's strikeouts are up, his stolen bases are down and the perception of his defense isn't quite what it was the past two years. Even in arguably his third-best season, he has been amazing, thanks to improved power totals and incredible overall talent.
And, of course with Cabrera benefiting the past two seasons by helping the Tigers into the postseason while Trout's Angels disappointed, Cabrera should be hurt if the Tigers can't overtake the Royals for the AL Central title or at least eke out a wild card. But of course, Detroit, despite not living up to the expectations of many, still has a solid chance to make it into October.
While Posey's overall numbers can't rival Stanton, and Stanton is the fair favorite for keeping the upstart Marlins at least on the cusp of the wild-card race, Posey's exploits are beginning to warrant attention. Posey was not even an MVP afterthought until a .336 August. And the September start has been a real eye opener. Posey is hitting .565 (13 for 23) this month, as he continues to help the Giants stay in front of the Pirates as well as the fading Braves and failing Brewers in the wild-card race (those two teams both trail Pittsburgh by half a game).
Cabrera's .500 batting average in September includes five home runs, including one in the Tigers' 6-1 victory Sunday night over Posey's Giants. The two stars were on display this weekend, and who knows, if they keep this going, they could pick up support in baseball's marquee individual race. (Note: I picked Trout and Posey for MVP at the start the year).
Both stars are quietly moving up the leaderboards. Posey (.309, 20, 79) is fourth in the NL in batting average, only seven points behind leader Justin Morneau at the moment. And Cabrera (.310, 22, 100) is third in RBI, only two beind leader Nelson Cruz, and one behind Trout.
Bull Market |
1T. Buster Posey, C, Giants: To go with the .565 batting average so far in September, Posey has a .957 slugging percentage and 1.549 OPS. All the talk earlier was about the case of Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy, who became the first catcher to gather 48 doubles over the weekend, but with the Brewers sliding it's possible Posey may be seen as an alternative candidate to Stanton and Kershaw. For the record, I would support Stanton, with Kershaw second, at least at the moment.
1T. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers: He's slugging even better than Posey, with a 1.067 slugging percentage and 1.567 OPS in September. He still doesn't look like he's running without pain, but man, is he ever hitting. For the record, I agree that Trout is the deserved MVP leader, with Felix Hernandez remaining the second choice here, for now.
3. Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros: He's hitting .500 (13 for 26) over his past six games, providing Houston with the biggest bright spot in a season marked by some controversy (the draft snafu, the early firing of manager Bo Porter) but some decent improvement (Chris Carter looks like a force lately, George Springer showed significant talent and young pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Colin McHugh surprised folks with big performances). Anyway, Altuve stands tall again, posting an .846 slugging percentage and 1.304 OPS over those six games. He leads the AL with a .340 batting average. Amazing.
Honorable Mention: Victor Martinez, DH, Tigers; Ben Revere, OF, Phillies; Nelson Cruz, DH/OF, Orioles; Derek Holland, SP, Rangers; Chris Carter, DH, Astros; Josh Harrison, INF/OF, Pirates; Gerardo Parra, OF, Brewers; Jon Jay, OF, Cardinals; Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers; Chris Valaika, 3B, Cubs; Kyle Seager, 3B, Mariners; Cory Spangenberg, INF/OF, Padres; Tyler Matzek, SP, Rockies; Carlos Martinez, RP, Cardinals; James Shields, SP, Royals; Brad Boxberger, RP, Rays; Danny Salazar, SP, Indians; Jacob deGrom, SP, Mets; Alex Cobb, SP, Rays; Clay Buchholz, SP, Red Sox; Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners; Alex Wood, SP, Braves; Odrisamer Despaigne, SP, Padres; Franscisco Liriano, SP, Pirates; Phil Hughes, SP, Twins; Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, Dodgers; Drew Smyly, SP, Rays; Joe Smith, RP, Angels; Jason Hammel, SP, Athletics; Carlos Carrasco, SP, Indians; Yordano Ventura, SP, Royals.
Bear Market |
1. Rafael Soriano, RP, Nationals: He is out as Nats closer, at least temporarily, after blowing two straight save opportunities and allowing runs in four of his past five games. Overall, he has blown seven save chances (while converting 31) and his ERA is up to 3.04 thanks to a 6.98 mark in the second half following a sterling 0.97 in the first half. Soriano is also allowing opposing hitters to bat .325 in the second half with a .917 OPS, as Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post pointed out in a recent article. Soriano will throw a bullpen session Monday as he tries to regain his mechanics; for the time being Nats rookie manager Matt Williams will pick from the talented trio of Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and Matt Thornton. Interestingly, in the Kilgore piece, Soriano said, "My lawyer sent me a message today my elbow was a little too low and I need to raise it more." Kilgore said Soriano was referring to his agent Scott Boras, who is a lawyer.
2. Javier Baez, 2B, Cubs: The North Siders look like they have a possible future All-Star team of position players, but Baez is having a rough time making contact lately -- 2 for 25 with 11 strikeouts, both hits singles.
3. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox: Middlebrooks is 2 for 20 with eight strikeouts, the continuation of a nightmare offensive season for him, and also the other two young players counted on by Boston to start the year (Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley). Boston has suggested winter ball for Middlebrooks, and being no fool, he says he will of course comply.
Dishonorable Mention: Josh Donaldson, 3B, A's; Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians; James Loney, 1B, Rays; Matt Adams, 1B, Cardinals; Ian Desmond, SS, Nationals; Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds; Marlon Byrd, OF, Phillies; Allen Craig, OF, Red Sox; Matt Garza, SP, Brewers; Kyle Lohse, SP, Brewers; John Danks, SP, White Sox ; Koji Uehara, RP, Red Sox; Scott Kazmir, SP, A's.
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