09-21-2006, 04:55 AM
Like it or not Howard supporters, you could come closer to replacing Howard’s contributions far quicker than you could Beltran’s. And just to pound that point home, we can look at Win Share ratings.
Beltran: Batting- 29.2 (3rd), Fielding- 7.6 (1st), Total-37 (1st)
Howard: Batting-27.2(6th), Fielding-0.9, Total-28 (6th)
I didn’t list Howard’s ranking fielding wise, because it didn’t come anywhere near the top fifty in the NL. Not everyone will buy Win Share ratings, and there still is some skepticism about defense, but there is no question that when you’re talking about a difference of this much, Beltran is far more difficult to replace than Howard. For the record the difference between Beltran and Howard Win Share wise, is the difference between Howard and Orlando Hudson, Chris Carpenter, Brian McCann and Dave Roberts. Again, difference between Beltran and Howard equals the difference between Howard and Dave Roberts. That’s how valuable a great offensive and defensive centerfielder is.
And then finally the argument exists that Howard is instrumental in his team’s drive to the playoffs. That’s true, but since most people discriminate based off a team’s record, isn’t that case with most MVP candidates?
Beltran: Batting- 29.2 (3rd), Fielding- 7.6 (1st), Total-37 (1st)
Howard: Batting-27.2(6th), Fielding-0.9, Total-28 (6th)
I didn’t list Howard’s ranking fielding wise, because it didn’t come anywhere near the top fifty in the NL. Not everyone will buy Win Share ratings, and there still is some skepticism about defense, but there is no question that when you’re talking about a difference of this much, Beltran is far more difficult to replace than Howard. For the record the difference between Beltran and Howard Win Share wise, is the difference between Howard and Orlando Hudson, Chris Carpenter, Brian McCann and Dave Roberts. Again, difference between Beltran and Howard equals the difference between Howard and Dave Roberts. That’s how valuable a great offensive and defensive centerfielder is.
And then finally the argument exists that Howard is instrumental in his team’s drive to the playoffs. That’s true, but since most people discriminate based off a team’s record, isn’t that case with most MVP candidates?
![[Image: 723475742_8cb2b0be6c.jpg]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/723475742_8cb2b0be6c.jpg)