El Lefty Malo: Sabesometrics

Lefty breaks down the latest Sabean spouts...

Sabes (when asked who is the 2007 Giants MVP): Bengie Molina.

I like Bengie. You like Bengie. We all like Bengie. It’s fun to watch him jiggle when he runs. He’s “clutch.” But he’s not the MVP. He doesn’t get on base, he has defensive problems (ask Jon Miller about Bengie’s problems catching balls above his head), and he’s a prime double-play candidate. Barry Bonds was the offensive MVP, and Matt Cain was the pitching MVP. So Sabes is saying one of three things here: 1) He values team leadership over actual run-producing skills. 2) He’s worried that Molina is frustrated and wants to pat him on the back a little extra. 3) “Molina is extremely valuable to anyone looking for a starting catcher. My phone lines are open.”