(10-06-2012, 01:21 AM)Vols-1 Wrote: This is why Trout is your MVP hands down. And considering Trout makes 1/40th of Cabrera's salary how can he not be most valuable.
I appreciate your point, but the MVP criteria doesn't include a player's salary. It would be pretty lame if the voters started deciding the MVP in terms of a player's monetary value. While were at it, let's take ticket/jersey sales into consideration, tv/radio ratings, endorsement deals, and other revenue a player generates. Certainly these items add to a player's "value" to a team. But, rightly so, the award is based on a player's performance, character, effort, etc. Likewise, you could argue that an undrafted 5th year pitcher you claimed off waivers, who gives you 14 wins with a 3.5 ERA and makes the MLB minimum is more "valuable" than any of the players in the running. You could make a case that Brandon Inge is the MVP since the Tigers ate virtually his entire salary and he basically gave the A's 10 "free" home runs and 50 "free" RBI. (Obviously, that's a crazy example)
Here's what the ballot directions say:
Dear Voter:
There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier.
The rules of the voting remain the same as they were written on the first ballot in 1931:
1. Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense.
2. Number of games played.
3. General character, disposition, loyalty and effort.
4. Former winners are eligible.
5. Members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team.
You are also urged to give serious consideration to all your selections, from 1 to 10. A 10th-place vote can influence the outcome of an election. You must fill in all 10 places on your ballot. Only regular-season performances are to be taken into consideration.