LA Times: Angels lose to Rangers, 8-3, but Mike Trout's name pops up in MVP talk

[AngelsWin.com]

Outfielder, who hits a home run against Texas, is part of the discussion for this season's American League award, along with Detroit's Miguel Cabrera and Baltimore's Chris Davis.

The American League most valuable player debate is heating up, with Baltimore's Chris Davis muscling his way into the conversation with Angels center fielder Mike Trout and Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera.

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[Rob l]

This topic drives me nuts! The award is for the Most Valuable Player! Not the all around best player! Has Trout been valuable to this team? Um, no! Is Trout the best player in baseball? Arguably, yes. But that is not the definition of the award. He had a better chance last year because he was the main factor in the Angels hanging on last year. This year, it's just not there. Since Davis is a juicer (allegedly), Cabrera is the probable MVP again.

[Docwaukee]

This topic drives me nuts! The award is for the Most Valuable Player! Not the all around best player! Has Trout been valuable to this team? Um, no! Is Trout the best player in baseball? Arguably, yes. But that is not the definition of the award. He had a better chance last year because he was the main factor in the Angels hanging on last year. This year, it's just not there. Since Davis is a juicer (allegedly), Cabrera is the probable MVP again.

what you wrote makes no sense.

It the most valuable player, no the most valuable player for a winning team. Granted, the vote will take that into account, but this team would be twent games below .500 without trout. He is the most valuable player, but his value is being wasted.

[DEATHRACERCHEVY]

This topic drives me nuts! The award is for the Most Valuable Player! Not the all around best player! Has Trout been valuable to this team? Um, no! Is Trout the best player in baseball? Arguably, yes. But that is not the definition of the award. He had a better chance last year because he was the main factor in the Angels hanging on last year. This year, it's just not there. Since Davis is a juicer (allegedly), Cabrera is the probable MVP again.

 

The term valuable is defined as:

 

a : having monetary value

 

b : worth a good price

2

a : having desirable or esteemed characteristics or qualities<valuable friendships>

 

b : of great use or service <valuable advice>

 

It is all dependent on what you consider valuable as a player. For me, that is an all around player. For some that means hitting bombs, and a high BA. Just because all together the team sucks, doesn't diminish a player's value, if anything is heightens it especially if is able to still play at a very high level. 

 

The meaning of that award is very subjective. There were plenty of players who were "more valuable" than others who managed to lose the MVP award to someone "less valuable".

 

[Lhalo]

Has Trout been valuable to this team? Um, no!

It's times like these when I consider insomnia a blessing. How else could I discover a gem like this?

[mancini79]

If Detroit and the O's manage to miss the playoffs, then Trout has a good shot.

[silviodante09]

It's times like these when I consider insomnia a blessing. How else could I discover a gem like this?

I guess he would rather us lose 110 games instead of the likely 90-95.

[jshep]

I love the idea that Trout should be penalized in award voting because he has Joe Blanton and an awful Josh Hamilton on his team.

/sarcasm

[Rob l]

I guess he would rather us lose 110 games instead of the likely 90-95.

Thank God Trout will save us from losing 100 games. MVP!!!

[CaliAngel]

^Yah, you're gonna last long.

 

Your logic is flawed, you even admit Trout is amazing, and he HAS been valuable to this team in countless ways. He's holding that average at .329, making amazing plays in the outfield (even when we're losing by 5 late in the game), I just wish he was running like he did last year. Let's be honest, the guy got ripped off last year by a Triple Crown favoring that some people around here argue (and I kind of agree) is over-rated. Especially considering Trout was a freakin' rookie and robbing homers day and night, something Cabrera wishes he could do in his wildest dreams.

 

He is showing no signs of fading no matter how the team around him performs and is still playing like he still deserves it.

 

It's a downright shame his talents are being wasted on a team as pathetic as the Angels.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Only 7 MLB MVP's came from losing teams. If this was a weak year for MVP candidates, I could see a player having a great year on a bad team (Trout) having a chance to win the award, but M Cab. is having an even better year than last year when he won the award and his Tigers are almost a lock to win the AL Central.   

 

MVPs voted by the BBWAA (starting in 1931) from a non-winning team:

1952 NL -- Hank Sauer, Chicago Cubs, 77-77, 5th place (of 8).
1958 NL -- Ernie Banks, Cubs, 74-80, 5th place (of 8).
1959 NL -- Ernie Banks, Cubs, 72-82, 6th place (of 8).
1987 NL -- Andre Dawson, Cubs, 76-85, 6th place (of 6).
1989 AL -- Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers, 81-81, 4th place (of 7).
1991 AL -- Cal Ripken, Jr., Baltimore Orioles, 67-95, 6th place (of 7).
2003 AL -- Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers, 71-91, 4th place (of 4).

 

[Jason]

Trout doesn't have the HRs. That's what is going to matter the most. In terms of value, imagine how much lower this team would be without him.