QUESTION: While there’s been much Triple Crown talk centered around Albert Pujols and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto, Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is making his own push to get into the conversation. Which player do you think is most likely to win the MVP? And, between Votto and Gonzalez, which do you think will have the more impactful career?
A look at all three players numbers through Tuesday's games:
Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
Age: 30
HR: 35 (1st)
RBI: 95 (1st)
AVG: .318 (3rd)
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
Age: 26
HR: 32 (T-3rd)
RBI: 94 (2nd)
AVG: .325 (2nd)
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
Age: 24
HR: 29 (T-5th)
RBI: 91 (3rd)
AVG: .326 (1st)
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JOE STRAUSS
Albert now benefits from the same bias that Barry Bonds enjoyed during the first half of the decade. That doesn’t mean Albert is undeserving of winning a fourth MVP this year, it just means he is in a stronger position where he wins “ties” now instead of losing them. Note that Pujols won his second MVP on a team that did not contend two years ago.
Gonzalez likely will suffer from his team’s failure to win barring a late push for a Rockies wild card. He’s an outstanding talent whose numbers at 24 are fairly staggering.
The Cincinnati Reds are this year’s NL feel-good story (outside of St. Louis, of course) along with Bobby Cox’s ride into the sunset with a probable playoff team. Votto received a bump when initially left off the All-Star team. Folks paid closer attention then and he has remained a consistent run-producer since. Should either Votto or Albert win the Triple Crown, the MVP is a moot point. Gonzalez has too many home runs to make up. Pujols and Votto aren’t going to stand still.
I have no idea whether Votto or Gonzalez will have the more impactful career. They are positioned, however, to rank among the league’s top five players every year.
RICK HUMMEL
Joey Votto is most likely to win the MVP if the Reds win the division and Albert does not win the Triple Crown. Carlos Gonzalez has a chance to be a superstar player. Joey Votto will be a very good player for very long time.
JEFF GORDON
I’ll vote for Votto on both counts. The Reds are a tremendous story this season. Votto’s pivotal role in this breakout should make him the landslide MVP. Pujols is having an epic season and could well win the Triple Crown. But he is the leader of a team that died inexplicably down the stretch. This isn’t a vote for best player, it’s the vote for most valuable – so the guy that helps his team actually win something should always almost get the nod. Long term, I see Votto doing monstrous things in that ballpark now that he has moved past his off-field emotional struggles.
KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
With the numbers being as close as they are for all three players it could come down to which team(s) make the playoffs. With the Rockies and Cardinals facing uphill climbs in that regard, I guess that makes Votto the favorite. Technically the Rockies and Cardinals are “in contention” so that’ll keep the debate going in September, but if the Reds are the only team that makes it then I’d put my money on Votto getting the votes.
Between Votto and CarGo I’d have to go with the slugger who also brings the element of speed to the mix. Gonzalez is a capable outfielder who plays in a giant ballpark with lots of ground to cover plus he’s got 30-30 potential. Votto may end up being the better pure hitter but CarGo will be the better all-around ballplayer.
LARRY BOROWSKY (Founder of Viva El Birdos and editor of “Maple Street Press Cardinals Annual”)
The Cardinals’ August breakdown is far from Pujols’s fault, but it might cost him the MVP award. Votto now looms as the breakout star on a breakout division-winning team, which makes him an almost irresistible candidate. And his numbers stand up to sabermetric scrutiny; if he wins, he’ll deserve it.
Pujols can probably only steal the award by winning the Triple Crown, and he just might do it. Over his career, September has been his second-best month (trailing only August). He has a career .343 batting average in September, so he’s still a very serious threat to win this year’s batting title. If he does so while retaining his HR and RBI leads, he’ll be the MVP. Otherwise Votto wins it.
Regarding career impact, I’ll take CarGo. He’s two years younger than Votto and has a broader base of skills – superior speed and defense to go along with great hitting.
