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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tom Gage’s AL Cy Young Award ballot

I gotta’ tell ya’, it’s a barrage
It’s a mirage
We are the Tigers

The News’ Tom Gage had one of the 28 votes for the Cy Young.

1. Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers — Slam dunk.

2. Jose Valverde, RP, Tigers — Wasn’t afraid to put another Tiger second. In the American League, his 49-for-49 in saves was the second-best pitching accomplishment of the season.

3. Jered Weaver, SP, Angels — Excellent most of the way, but won only four games the last two months.

4. CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees — Just a tick down from Weaver.

5. Mariano Rivera, RP, Yankees — Toughest call, but had to go with 44 saves and a 1.91 ERA.

Repoz Posted: November 16, 2011 at 12:16 PM | 11 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: awards, tigers

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1. Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters Posted: November 16, 2011 at 12:59 PM (#3994674)

This seems fine.

2. Benji Gil Gamesh is not being paid to be that guy Posted: November 16, 2011 at 01:45 PM (#3994688)

Valverde 2nd is pretty stupid.

3. Double-Spin Mechanic Posted: November 16, 2011 at 01:47 PM (#3994689)

COUNT DA SAVESSSSSSSSSS

4. Jose Can You Seabiscuit Posted: November 16, 2011 at 02:17 PM (#3994697)

I wouldn't have put Valverde second but I don't hate the choice either. Unlike starters and wins closers generally have a lot of control over their save percentage. If they do the job, they get the save, they don't need to rely on the offense to get them support.

5. I Am Not a Number Posted: November 16, 2011 at 02:27 PM (#3994698)

I don't think the issue is how well Valverde or Rivera did their job. It's how valuable those 60-70 inning jobs are compared to those of a starter who logs 230 excellent or very good innings. I just can't see an argument for a closer matching the value of a Sabathia or Weaver, even if they went the season without blowing a save.

Absent the existence of the save as a metric, I'm not sure Gage votes the way he does.

6. HGM Posted: November 16, 2011 at 02:52 PM (#3994706)

Absent the existence of the save as a metric, I'm not sure Gage votes the way he does.

If saves didn't exist, I'm positive Valverde wouldn't be near his or anybody's ballot. The save has not only altered the way that managers make decisions, it's completely colored most people's ability to actually assess a reliever's value.

7. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: November 16, 2011 at 03:06 PM (#3994713)

If saves didn't exist, I'm positive Valverde wouldn't be near his or anybody's ballot. The save has not only altered the way that managers make decisions, it's completely colored most people's ability to actually assess a reliever's value.

By WAR, Valverde was the 5th best reliever in the AL last year. Robertson and his 410 ERA+ in 66 IP was #1, and Rivera was #2.

8. Mike Webber Posted: November 16, 2011 at 04:24 PM (#3994766)

Was this the guy that voted for Cabrera the year in 2009 that kept Mauer from being unanimous? I know it was a Detroit writer.

9. Mike Webber Posted: November 16, 2011 at 04:36 PM (#3994780)

I guess it was a guy named Keizo Konishi that made the Cabrera vote. and he wasn't even from Detroit. "The writer was Keizo Konishi of the Kyodo News, who is starting his 10th season covering the Mariners."

10. trtaylor6886 Posted: November 16, 2011 at 06:00 PM (#3994833)

I do not see how you can omit Shields.

11. Meramec Posted: November 16, 2011 at 08:27 PM (#3995007)

I just can't see an argument for a closer matching the value of a Sabathia or Weaver, even if they went the season without blowing a save.

How lucky for you never to have had to watch Mr. Ryan Franklin "close out" games.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tom Gage’s AL Cy Young Award ballot

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