Most Valuable Base-runner, Most Valuable Player?
When I first arrived on the Phillies beat in February of 2008, the storyline du jour surrounded Chase Utley, and whether he would extend the team's run of National League MVPs to three in a row.
Most Valuable Base-runner, Most Valuable Player?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
When I first arrived on the Phillies beat in February of 2008, the storyline du jour surrounded Chase Utley, and whether he would extend the team's run of National League MVPs to three in a row. It was one of those questions that was old by the second week of spring training. And by the start of the regular season, any question involving the words "Chase" and "MVP" created an Ambien-like effect on its recipient (minus the random nude drive around the neighborhood).
So I couldn't help but be struck with a sort of deja vu toward the end of a quick Q+A with Jayson Werth yesterday, when the conversation veered toward that topic. I was working on a story on Utley's baserunning, which I wrote about earlier this offseason on the blog, and which I tried to flesh out in greater detail in today's paper. My working hypothesis held that Utley was as good of a pure baserunner as any player in the National League, and the numbers that attempt to quantify such things seemed to back that assertion up. That might be unfair to a player like Jimmy Rollins, whose speed overshadows his instincts, and who might very well have a ridiculous season on the basepaths with a No. 2 hitter like Placido Polanco hitting behind him. But the fact is, Utley went first-to-third on a single and first-to-home on a double more times than any player in the National League last season, and over the last five years has "taken" more bases than any player in the majors except the Indians' Grady Sizemore.
Anyway, Werth was talking about Utley's instincts on the basepaths, and about the completeness of his game, and I couldn't help but ask if it would surprise him if Utley ripped off one of those epic seasons in 2010, much like Rollins did in 2007.
"You mean, like MVP?" Werth asked.
I couldn't tell if the question was accompanied by a slight roll of the eyes, but it felt that way, if only because the run-up to 2008 had conditioned me to regurgitate in my mouth any time somebody asked it.
Still, well, yeah -- MVP.
"Even without being an MVP each year, he's right there," Werth said. "I'm not going to tell you that he can't, that's for sure. That's been the talk ever since I got to Philly. In '08 we had a high potential for having three guys in a row. Any year, he's got it in him. It's just a matter of the stars and the moon and shore all aligning."
Utley looks bigger this year, particularly in his upper half. Talk to people in the Phillies clubhouse, particularly those on the coaching staff, and they'll express a belief that Utley is more healthy right now than he has been at any point since he started that 2008 season on a tear. Davey Lopes said earlier this week he thought Utley had to have been hampered last season by the hip surgery that he underwent in the offseason, surgery that repaired a torn labrum he suffered at some point in 2008. There is no doubt that a bruised foot limited him late last season.
"With Chase, you never really know," Lopes said of the tight-lipped star.
So it's worth noting that in 2007, Utley hit .332 with a .410 on base percentage. And that over the last two seasons he has hit 64 home runs and stole 37 bases, both career highs, despite whatever physical limitations he has endured. And it's worth noting that the four batters hitting behind him are as talented a group as he has had in his seven years with the Phillies (Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino). And it's worth noting that in Placido Polanco and Juan Castro, he has two players who could provide him with more regular rest at second base.
I'm not in the business of making concrete predictions about the teams I cover. A 162-game baseball season can be a shredder of paper champions. But with all the talk about Roy Halladay and Werth and Cole Hamels, I wouldn't be surprised to see No. 26 become a major storyline in 2010.
And not just on the basepaths.
Murph, agreed. Can't wait for this season to start.— bigtbone- Utley has always been my favorite player because of his awareness and dedication to the game. He reminds me of Derek Jeter except he has more power. I'm glad you pointed out his superior base running skills, because it can go unnoticed amongst the power numbers that are prevalent in today's game.— SmartAlec
- Utley is my favorite player in the game, with the possible exception of (and I love Ryan Howard as well), Albert Pujols. I'm a Phils fan, but I just enjoy excellence and class. Utley is definitely in the mix for MVP almost every year, with guys like Pujols and Howard. In fact, they along with a couple other guys -- perhaps, Hanley Ramirez or Matt Kemp, or one of the other big-time first baseman in the NL - almost start out in the mythical top 5.— MG44
- Utley was better than Rollins and Howard in the seasons that they one MVP's, he is easily the best player on the team, and the third most valuable player in the league behind only Pujols and Mauer. Im sure some misguided person will tell me Ryan Howard is better, but they will be wrong. Utley plays a premium defensive position, and grades better than Howard in every tool outside of power.— Rob Neyer sucks
Comment removed.- Hopefully. He continues to get snubbed!— NickFromGermantown
- Comment removed.
How many teams have four or five potential MVP's? A handful more who could merely be all-stars. Enjoy the ride.— COskier- Comment removed.
- Don't forget Utley's defense. Best in the MLB— PhillyPhantastico
- Rob Neyer Sucks: You sir are clueless!!! Ryan and JRoll deserved the MVP those years. Chase often faded late in the season. Get you facts straight. Without Ryan Howard we would not have even been close to maping the playoffs the last 3 years...— Bigbadrookie
- Bigbadrookie- I knew eventually someone would show their total lack of baseball knowledge, in Ryan Howard's MVP season his WARP was 7.2, while Chase Utley's was a 7.3, couple that with the fact that Chase Utley plays plus defense at a premium position, Chase deserved to finish behind only Pujols that year. Sorry pal, and to all the other idiots that think Ryan Howard is better than Chase Utley, you are wrong.— Rob Neyer sucks
- There is no doubt Chase makes everything count in this game. I'd have to agree about the foot causing him some problems last year. I think the hip might have bothered him in the early cold last year but that’s it. Chase is an all or nothing kind of guy and unfortunately he cycles out at the end of the season. Giving him rest during the season is the smartest thing the Phils can do no matter what Chase says. He would also benefit from batting 2nd as his average would be over .300 and all the numbers would be up with HRs down slightly. Historically when he hits 2nd the leadoff spot becomes more productive no matter who hits there. At #2 he no longer needs to drive the ball, just hit for average which is something he was very good at in '07' and before. I think as Dave has noted Utley goes 1st to 3rd or 1st to home the best I’ve seen so why not change his duties to just hitting and getting on base in front of Howard and Werth. The biggest improvement Chase could make is to learn to take the ball the other way like Ibanez. Combine the base running with a solid year of hitting and defense and he could be our third MVP. The manager gives each player the expectations for the season and it is up to the individual to perform. That said it’s Charlie’s job is to use each player in win – win situations so they are set up for success not failure.— Wally 24
What clinched it for me was when I watched Utley score from second on a ground out to the second baseman, sometime in his second full season. He's the smartest player out there, and he compels the others to play to his level. That's the kind of effect he has on the entire club. He has been their most valuable player for five years.— John621- Wally 24 - Chase Utley hits third because he is the best hiter in the lineup, and I don't think he needs to learn anything from anyone about his swing, if anyone could learn from someone in this lineup it would be Rollins and Howard learning some of Chase's plate discipline. I have no idea why teams even throw howard fastballs, as the Yankees showed breaking stuff away is death to him, he can't lay off of it, and going forward it could be an issue for this team.— Rob Neyer sucks
