There was plenty of clamor over the fact that Angels OF Mike Trout did not win the AL MVP this season. Personally, I thought that Miguel Cabrera deserved the award, not just because he won the triple crown, but the fact that he had as good, if not a better season. To me it was that simple. Nothing against Trout; he had an MVP type season, but Cabrera was more deserving of the award. It is still a discussion worth having, but Winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award, Trout was attempting to become the first ROY to win MVP since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. Because Ichiro played several seasons in Japan's major baseball league, the player he showed be most compared to is Boston's Fred Lynn, who in 1975 became the first player in MLB history to take home both awards.
Lynn's 1975 season was a major reason the Red Sox won the AL East that season and though postseason stats do not count, Lynn was a major contributor to the Pennant that the Red Sox won that season. Trout led his team to 93 wins, which normally would have been enough to get the Angels into the postseason, especially with the expanded playoff format.
Trout played in less games, as Lynn had 145 to his 139, but had more ABs 559-528. Both players led the AL in runs scored, as Trout had 129 to Lynn's 103. Trout had more hits 182-175. Lynn led the AL in 2Bs with 47, as Trout had just 27. Trout had 8 3Bs to Lynn's 7. While Trout hit more HRs 30-21, Lynn had more RBIs, 105-83. Trout led the AL in SBs with 49, as Lynn (not a base stealer) had 10. Lynn had a slightly better batting average (.331-.326), on base percentage (.401-.399), slugging percentage (.566-.564) and OPS (.967-.963). Trout had the higher OPS+, as his 171 led the AL. Lynn finished at 162.
Trout was certainly more of the free swinger, striking out 139 times to Lynn's 90. Trout had more bases on balls (67-62). If I was comparing the two seasons, I would give the slight edge to Lynn because of the strikeout differential and the more extra base hits (75-65). Trout is the better defensive player but many forget Lynn played a very good defensive CF for his first couple seasons before moving to a corner OF position. And, both players won the Gold Glove in their rookie seasons.
Many people point to the defensive metrics to try to show that Trout was the better all around player this season. The MVP award has always been centered around the offensive production of a player. I don't feel it should change. It is commendable that many friends in the SABR world have put a lot of emphasis in defensive metrics. But, in the history of the league MVP awards, the award has historically gone to the league's best offensive player. While Trout clearly had a better 2012 defensive season than Cabrera, Cabrera had the better offensive season.
Lynn's 1975 season was a major reason the Red Sox won the AL East that season and though postseason stats do not count, Lynn was a major contributor to the Pennant that the Red Sox won that season. Trout led his team to 93 wins, which normally would have been enough to get the Angels into the postseason, especially with the expanded playoff format.
Trout played in less games, as Lynn had 145 to his 139, but had more ABs 559-528. Both players led the AL in runs scored, as Trout had 129 to Lynn's 103. Trout had more hits 182-175. Lynn led the AL in 2Bs with 47, as Trout had just 27. Trout had 8 3Bs to Lynn's 7. While Trout hit more HRs 30-21, Lynn had more RBIs, 105-83. Trout led the AL in SBs with 49, as Lynn (not a base stealer) had 10. Lynn had a slightly better batting average (.331-.326), on base percentage (.401-.399), slugging percentage (.566-.564) and OPS (.967-.963). Trout had the higher OPS+, as his 171 led the AL. Lynn finished at 162.
Trout was certainly more of the free swinger, striking out 139 times to Lynn's 90. Trout had more bases on balls (67-62). If I was comparing the two seasons, I would give the slight edge to Lynn because of the strikeout differential and the more extra base hits (75-65). Trout is the better defensive player but many forget Lynn played a very good defensive CF for his first couple seasons before moving to a corner OF position. And, both players won the Gold Glove in their rookie seasons.
Many people point to the defensive metrics to try to show that Trout was the better all around player this season. The MVP award has always been centered around the offensive production of a player. I don't feel it should change. It is commendable that many friends in the SABR world have put a lot of emphasis in defensive metrics. But, in the history of the league MVP awards, the award has historically gone to the league's best offensive player. While Trout clearly had a better 2012 defensive season than Cabrera, Cabrera had the better offensive season.
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