A Graphic Look at Redefining Most Valuable

by David Fung on Nov 3, 2011 6:00 PM EDT in Visuals Above Replacement

Using sabermetrics, is there a better way to determine the Most Valuable? I know, there's WAR, but taking a look at the winners from 2000-2010, most winners have been leaders in two out of three of the following categories:

-wOBA (weighted on base average)
-RC (runs created)
-ISO (isolated power)

Were there exceptions to the rule? For full-size graphic, click the image or here.

The only exception to this rule was Vladimir Guerrero in 2004, who only lead in Runs Created.

So who got snubbed? The most recent was Miguel Cabrera last year and Manny Ramirez in 2008. I know, it's highly debatable right?

For full-size graphic, click the image or here. See more at http://FUNGraphs.tumblr.com or follow me on Twitter @cobradave

Updated: Disregard Derrek Lee in the poll.

Poll

Which one of these MVP snubs should have won?

Miguel Cabrera (2010) over Josh Hamiton

11 votes

Manny Ramirez (2008) over Dustin Pedroia

8 votes

Matt Holliday (2007) over Jimmy Rollins

14 votes

David Ortiz (2006) over Justin Morneau

9 votes

Derrek Lee (2004) over Barry Bonds

3 votes

Carlos Delgado (2003) over Alex Rodriguez

6 votes

Alex Rodriguez (2002) over Miguel Tejada

9 votes

Jason Giambi (2001) over Ichiro

8 votes

Todd Helton (2000) over Barry Bonds

6 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A lot of the snubs...

…I wouldn’t call “snubs.” They don’t fall under the prediction, I suppose, based on their wOBA/RC/ISO, but there’s a lot more to value than that (obviously) — namely positional/defense.

I write a Giants blog. I also write for MLB Daily Dish and Beyond the Box Score

by Julian Levine on Nov 3, 2011 6:39 PM EDT reply actions

Not to mention:

Is it any surprise that the wOBA leader also leads in RC? Kinda silly to count both. It’s like saying the AVG leader also tends to lead the league in hits.

by danmerqury on Nov 3, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

So what would be a better correlation? I wasn’t using wRC, and was looking for something that more closely resembled RBIs.

by David Fung on Nov 3, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

What are you trying to find?

Are you trying to a) find a model for predicting MVP winners, or b) find a model for showing MVP snubs?

I write a Giants blog. I also write for MLB Daily Dish and Beyond the Box Score

by Julian Levine on Nov 4, 2011 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions

A, find a different model to predict MVP. in that study, the snubs were worthy candidates to be winners.

by David Fung on Nov 4, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

You put Derrek Lee's 2005 stats in the 2004 section.

by SeanP on Nov 3, 2011 7:19 PM EDT reply actions

You’re right. Good catch dude. He’s no longer valid then.

by David Fung on Nov 3, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

This would be great for most valuable hitter

but, for example, having to decide whether Ortiz was snubbed for MVP by Morneau in 2006 is a false dichotomy IMO. Maybe neither of them should have been MVP.

expectations are premeditated resentments - cheshirecat

by kcgard2 on Nov 4, 2011 7:54 AM EDT reply actions

Why use RC instead of wRC+?

A pirate I was meant to be!
"You say you're nasty pirates,
scheming, thieving, bad bushwackers?
From what I've seen I tell you
You're not pirates, you're just slackers!"

by Zach (maestro876) on Nov 4, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

I had this originally, but was thinking I should possibly use something that’s not totally based off or wOBA. I’m open to revisiting with a different set of stats as I knew this would be a topic of debate. Do you have any ideas of another three stats or different combo?

by David Fung on Nov 4, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

How about

just wRC+, ISO, and WAR?

A pirate I was meant to be!
"You say you're nasty pirates,
scheming, thieving, bad bushwackers?
From what I've seen I tell you
You're not pirates, you're just slackers!"