BBWAA Awards: Bartlett named Rays MVP

The local chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America announced their annual awards before Saturday's game against the Twins at Tropicana Field.

Shortstop Jason Bartlett received the most points (40) for Rays MVP, followed by Evan Longoria (33) and Carlos Pena (27).

Longoria didn't leave empty-handed, as he was named the most Outstanding Rookie with 60 points, with Shawn Riggans (36) and Fernando Perez/Justin Ruggiano (6) each receiving some votes.

DH Cliff Floyd was the recipient of the Paul C. Smith Champion Award, which goes to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field. Floyd had 41 points, edging out Carlos Pena (39) and Rocco Baldelli, as 12 Rays received at least one vote.

Comments

[Graham]

IIRC, was it not Bartlett who was the missing piece during the 7-game losing streak just prior to the All-Star break?

[Art K.]

I have no problem with JB being named the MVP because without him at shortstop and his solid play, no telling where the Rays might have been......However, in all honesty I think this is one year when the BBWAcould have actually voted the entire 25 man roster as the MVP.....There was never one star, it was always someone different.....That is why they are "one team"....

[Einhard]

I think the point about picking Bartlett is that there is no MVP in the standard sense. No Pedroia or Youklis, no A-Rod, no Quentin. As has been repeated over and over, every player has contributed. At various times this year the MVP could have been Longoria or Pena or Upton or Navarro or Aybar or Gross and so on just as all at some point in the year were non-factors due to slumps or injury.

So to emphasize that fact, they picked the man who best represented the improved defense that many see as the key to the team's rise. I see it more as a symbolic pick than a literal one.

[Foley25]

Jason Barlett certainly does deserve this award. He played outstanding defense. It wasn't fair to them, but the Twinkies got that jerk Young and we got a solid Human Being with great Character who played hurt, (I saw that play when he slid into third and hurt his knee, did you?) He came through with his bat to pose timely hits, and by golly, he even hit a Home Run. Hats Off to you Jason Barlett, this is one fan who knows you deserved this award. Thank you for being here!

[Gus]

Barlett is a fine player, but MVP? The BBWAA must be stuffing their faces with free hot dogs and not watching the games. Good lord, how crazy is that? He is the 4th most valuable infielder on his team. No wonder good Rays coverage is so hard to come by. That is professional malpractice.

[db]

I may not have the baseball knowledge of the "Baseball Writers Association of America" but I am clearly smarter than them. Dioner Navarro was the MVP, followed closely by Pena. Nobody expected Navi to hit like he has this year, high average, clutch hits, kicked some sense into Garza, and anchored the young pitching staff. Pena's 51 rbi since the All-Star break makes it close.

[Jack Keefe]

MVP goes to a guy with the initials JM

[SC]

Bartlett as the MVP? Valuable yes, most valuable, questionable. Does the emergence of Longoria mean anything towards being the most valuable? Longoria should be the AL ROY.

What about the pitching staff? Everyone knew about how good Kazmir and Shields were, but the trade of the year was the Rays getting Garza. That and the veteran addition of Percival put the Rays in the postion they are this afternoon.

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[Amanda]

I whole-heartedly agree with the second two recipients. As for the first award, I don't think I could have picked an MVP for this team. I'm not saying Bartlett was a bad choice, I just don't think I could have picked any player as more valuable than the rest.