Quiet trade leads to big first half awards

by BubbaFan on Jul 10, 2008 4:43 PM EDT

NBC Sports has some midseason awards, and some nice things to say about Voltron...

When the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds announced a three-player deal last Dec. 21st, it raised a few eyebrows, but the word ‘blockbuster’ wasn’t exactly being thrown around.
But that deal could have the most impact in terms of postseason awards than any in memory. Edinson Volquez arguably was the best pitcher in the National League in the first half, and you can make a strong case for Josh Hamilton as the American League Most Valuable Player in the absence of a dominant performer on a likely playoff team.
Throw in minor-league pitcher Johnny Herrera, who went to the Reds along with Volquez, and you have a deal that has turned into an exchange of emerging stars, even though nobody knew it at the time. A look at the award winners after the first half:

They picked Hamilton as AL MVP:

AL MVP: Josh Hamilton, Texas. His comeback story keeps getting better, and now we’re talking about one of the best players in the game — not just one who beat the odds and chemical addiction that almost ruined his career before it got started.
Hitting cleanup in the game’s highest-scoring offense, Hamilton is the majors’ runaway leader in RBI. And his hitting instructor — highly respected Rudy Jaramillo — says Hamilton has more raw power than two of Jaramillo’s former pupils, Sammy Sosa and Juan Gonzalez.

And Volquez as NL Cy Young:

NL Cy Young: Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati. Brandon Webb leads the league in victories. Aaron Cook leads in innings pitched. Tim Lincecum leads in strikeouts and winning percentage. Ben Sheets leads in complete games.
But when it comes to dominant outings and impressive performances — not to mention the league’s best ERA and opponents’ batting average — the choice is Volquez. With mid-90s heat and a killer changeup, Volquez allowed two earned runs or less in his first 12 starts. And who says Great American Ballpark is a bandbox? Actually, everybody says that. But it isn’t when Volquez is on the mound, as his home ERA is 2.17.

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Comments

Johnny Herrera?

Maybe HE is Johnny Pronto!

...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield

by Cy Schourek on Jul 10, 2008 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Man, if only I didn't already have a handle

DannyRayPronto would be awesome!

by Brendanukkah on Jul 10, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh...

...the Pirates are batting the pitcher 8th, just like the Brewers and the Cards.

Yankees announcers are gushing about what a stat-head La Russa is. He supposedly has stacks and stacks of printouts with stats on the number of runs scored with various lineups.

Bet no one says that about Dusty…

All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?

by BubbaFan on Jul 10, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

LaRussa see's the stats

but Dusty can hear the stats.

The Dusty Path to the World Series!*

*Note this is not an endorsment of Dusty Baker.

by justin007000 on Jul 10, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I continue to be astounded

that Buzz Bissinger chose LaRussa to be the subject of his baseball-men-use-their-instincts anti-Moneyball book.

by Red Menace on Jul 11, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

a real Dr. Stat

would have a computer. It takes wayyyyyy too long to shuffle through all those pages.

Actually, better yet—you could have your own Smithers follow you around with a computer, and then make him look stuff up!

“Smithers! How does Corey Patterson do against lefties in day games after night games?”
“Ah, Patterson always sucks, sir.”
“Ah!! Simpson!!”

by bbjones on Jul 14, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 10, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 10, 2008 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 10, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 10, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

What I'm trying to say is

“He’s not who we think he is”

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 10, 2008 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

fth?

We ain’t no last place team are we Pops ?

by Gray on Jul 10, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

this guy can't use the reply button

must be bobby the butcher

Jeff, we hardly knew ye...

by chesirecat on Jul 11, 2008 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

How

do you know I’m a guy? Maybe you just meant it in the generic “hey guys” sort of way. If that’s the case I apologize profusely for my PC sensitivity.

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 11, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

So you're a Mac guy?

sig lines are for suckas

by jch24 on Jul 11, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Kinsler

So is the Hamilton love fest helping make Ian Kinsler the most underrated player today? I noticed on Poz’s blog that he’s leading the majors in Base Runs, ahead of Hamilton, and he plays second.

by Red Menace on Jul 11, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

another 2nd baseman overshadowed by Hobbs...

clubhouse turmoil awaits

by jacob brumfield on Jul 11, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Great pun! No. I just don't want any misunderstandings...such as...

I was going back through my posts here
And I saw that Veruca Salt or whatever that guy’s name is was mad at me for only posting sexist, female-objectifying pictures.

Michael: Now, the soldiers are paid to fight; the rebels aren't. Roth: What does that tell you? Michael: They can win.

by havanaconnect on Jul 11, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions