MLB 2022: The Long and Winding Thread

Tuesday against the Red Sox was a good example. Two homers, both of which tied the game. He’s not just teeing off in games that are already blowouts. He’s getting big hits in big spots that are helping the Yankees win games and control the AL East.

If given the opportunity, Ohtani may very well be just as good in big spots, but as it relates to this season, Judge is producing at a historic rate in pressure situations. Ohtani isn’t under any pressure other than what he puts on himself.

 

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...moving-comerica-fences/10386481002/?gnt-cfr=1

FWIW, the Tigers already significantly moved in the fences at CoPa, a few years after it opened.

 

Now, I would agree with you on just about anyone else. But I don't think we can call Big Apple Bias on Ohtani. He gets plenty of acclaim for his two-way exploits.

 

Maybe WAR is more accurate but just from my POV I rarely saw empty HRs and RBIs. If someone was a producer, they produced both during so-so times and “clutch” times. Judge doing what he’s doing this year is just a monster performance. I know wins are overrated but there is a reason for traditional counting batting stats (although I admit OBA and OPS are valuable; biggest impact I can remember is when Kent beat Bonds in 2000, Kent had the RBIs but I remember looking up how many more ABs/opportunities he had with runners on than Bonds). (And yes Trout > Cabrera in 2012)

 

And yes, Kemp > Braun in 2012 and Mookie > Trout in 2016 ...

 

Didn't Ohtani turn in a weak showing in the Home Run Derby?

 

Aaron Hicks: 0.7

 

698

 

And Helsley has an immaculate inning to end it.

 

And that person who took judge’s spot would probably be a contender for mvp, the same as judge. If you put judge on the angels, he’s basically mike trout. (Judge’s season this year would be a great season for trout, obviously, but that’s really the best comparison we can do.) and the angels would still suck. Ohtani on the Yankees, the Yankees are still about where they are. I think that’s JC’s argument. Value just seems like a word that causes this cloudiness. Ohtani is the best player in baseball. He will be as long as he is able to keep doing what he’s doing and puts up the numbers. What is wrong with naming the best player in baseball the most valuable player? And so what if he wins it every year if he deserves it.
So sandy koufax shouldn’t have been cy young in 1966 because he won it in 1965 and 1963? Weird logic. If Ohtani is the best player, he’s the best player. Debate that, not how good their teams are.

 

Um, no. Yankees aren’t keeping an MVP candidate on the bench. If they were an MVP candidate, he’d be playing. And that wildly diminishes what Judge is actually doing.

The rest of what you said is fine, but I’m calling cap (as my students would say) on the whole anyone hitting in Judge’s spot would be mashing 57 homers with a .311 average and a 9.1 WAR.