Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado an Honorable Fourth in MVP
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado placed fourth in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting for the American League Most Valuable Player award.
Sep 8, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Chris Davis (19) is congratulated by third baseman Manny Machado (13) after hitting the game winning solo home run against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles defeated the Yankees 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Not surprisingly, the honor was taken by Machado’s “good friend” Josh Donaldson of the Blue Jays, with Mike Trout of the Angels finishing second and the Royals’ Lorenzo Cain third.
There is certainly no shame in finishing fourth, not after two offseasons of recovery from knee surgeries. At the beginning of spring training there was legitimate concern that Machado could start the season with the club, along with speculation that he may be permanently marred by these injuries.
All of that trepidation disappeared quickly, and a full season of 162 games at the highest level serves as a full affirmation that he is fine and is on his way to a stellar career.
It is difficult to find much fault in Machado’s play. Perhaps there could be the desire to see his batting average in the .300s … but that is likely to come, and very soon. He has combined power and speed, hitting 35 home runs (10th in the AL) while stealing 20 bases (12th). Machado was fourth in runs scored and sixth in base hits and WAR. His defense is epic.
It would have seemed almost outlandish in March of this year to have predicted that Machado would post the sorts of numbers as listed above. So finishing fourth in this voting is not shameful in any way, rather, it is a great honor for a very good season.
According to the BBWAA web site, voting for the award is as follows …
"Ballots from two writers in each league city prior to postseason play are tabulated on a system that rewards 14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third on down to one for 10th. More from Baltimore OriolesWhat other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the StretchBaltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent WinsThe Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September RosterOrioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut"
The two writers from the Baltimore chapter are Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Rich Dubroff of CSNmidatlantic.com. Both placed Machado fourth behind third-place Lorenzo Cain. However, Rosenthal was one of seven who voted for eventual runner-up Mike Trout as the top player. He explained his rationale in an article on Fox Sports, speaking of how there seems to be a weariness already with Trout. He said of Trout …
"The guy is that good, the best player in the game. My fear is that in 20 years people are going to say, “Trout led the majors in combined OPS-plus from 2012 to ’15 and won only one MVP in those four seasons? What the heck were the writers thinking?” Shame on us if, instead of celebrating Mike Trout, we’re looking for the next best thing."
It would not be surprising at all to speculate that perhaps Manny Machado can be the first Oriole to someday win this award since Cal Ripken in 1991.
Chris Davis placed 14th overall in the points system.