2023 N.L. MVP

Betts still leads Acuna in fWAR (8.2-8.1) and bWAR (8.4-8.2)...which is well within the margin of error; they're tied, leaving Acuna's résumé of first-this and first-that the better story.

I should have included Arraez, too. A batting champion on a surprise playoff team should be enough to get him 5th place. (I forgot all about Freeman going for 60 doubles...he's at 59! Assume he'll play today in search of that.)

In my further look at this, I am most shocked that Betts only has 14 (14!) stolen bases compared to Acuna's 72 (72!). Even Freddie has 23! I love Betts, but I don't see any way Acuna doesn't take it

The most interesting thing about this to me is how WAR gives Betts the edge on all of this? I can give the eye test that Betts defence is indeed elite (The Braves are the last team I ever want to watch so can't say the same for Acuna). But my first inclination is that it's not elite enough to overcome the offensive gap? Then again, that gap is fairly marginal (167+ ops vs 170 ops+). Whatever the defensive plus, surely its outweighed by nearly 60+ stolen bases lol. This race has me questioning the value of defence/stolen bases big time

Olson will probably be the odd man out when they announce the three finalists I bet, which is pretty crazy to consider as a possibility. Acuna we'll definitely take it, maybe even unanimously. I'm curious who will round out the top 10.

*will definitely

Soto's got to be in there--ended up having a very good season. The Padres--who I don't follow at all--were such a mystery. Even with some underperformance, they 1) have the possible/probably Cy Young winner, 2) had Soto, Tatis, Bogarts, and Machado all having at least solid seasons, 3) probably had the league's best closer, 4) had a second baseman with a 5.0+ bWAR season, and 5) outscored opponents by ~100 runs (Pythagorean: 91-70). I'm sure lots of people have commented on this.

"probable"

i'm going to guess that Riley, Lindor, and Bellinger will get some attention downballot. And Albies. maybe some will be thrown at Tatis.

I'm guessing last season's top three finishers will be nowhere to be found.

Freeman seems like a big deal to me today. There have been eight seasons of 60+ home runs by five different players since 1936; 60+ doubles, none. Why that is, I'm not sure, but its rarity speaks to how awesome that is.

No doubles today. Doubleless--damn.

personally love mookie but, as ever, it's difficult to quantify how great his defense (at multiple and quite different positions, no less) is

acuña leads the majors in hits, runs, stolen bases and OBP. he leads the NL in OPS and total bases. and he's 40/40 and never won it before. that's gonna be tough to beat

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Ronald Acuna will probably win

Unanimously is my guess, with Betts one of the best runners-up ever.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.