SB Nation St. Louis - NL MVP finalists: Yadier Molina is St. Louis Cardinals' unlikely candidatehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2012-11-08T08:01:52-06:00http://stlouis.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33806592012-11-08T08:01:52-06:002012-11-08T08:01:52-06:00Yadi won't win the MVP, but he had an MVP season
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<figcaption>Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Cardinals' star catcher is unlikely to win the NL MVP Award when it's handed out next week, but his season was absolutely MVP caliber. </p> <p>The much-discussed <span>Yadier Molina</span> contract extension doesn't actually begin until 2013, even though it was signed in March, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a>' longtime catcher spent the 2012 season justifying it like nobody—maybe not even the Molina family—expected. He was <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/11/7/3615512/yadier-molina-cardinals-nl-mvp-fiinalist" target="_blank">named a finalist</a> for the 2012 National League MVP Award on Wednesday, and while he probably won't beat out <span>Buster Posey</span> for the NL's top honors, his career year was MVP-caliber by any measure. </p>
<p>After beginning his career as the ultimate defense-only starter—his NLCS home run back in 2006 was so wonderful and unexpected because he'd hit just .216/.274/.321 that year—Molina was remarkable, in 2012, for just how many things he did well. He hit for average, a career-high .315; he hit for power, the 22 home runs as many as he slugged between 2004 and 2007; he played his usual peerless defense, throwing out 48% of base-stealers. He even ran the bases well, taking 12 of his own in 15 chances. </p>
<p>He didn't lead the NL in WAR, but in wins above average he was within the margin of error of Posey. It would be an enormous upset if Molina won the award in 2012, but his competition should do nothing to dull our appreciation of the season he had. </p>
<p>Now that he's settled everyone's stomachs about that five-year, $74 million deal—well, how about he just repeats all of the above for the next five years? Based on the improvements he's made over the first nine seasons of his career, he should pass <span>Barry Bonds's</span> career home run record some time in 2017. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/cardinals-rumors-2013/2012/11/8/3616652/nl-mvp-2012-yadier-molinaDan Moore2012-11-07T18:08:26-06:002012-11-07T18:08:26-06:00Cardinals C Molina a finalist for NL MVP
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina was rewarded for his fantastic season by being named a finalist for the NL MVP award, the BBWAA announced on Wednesday. </p> <p><a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> catcher <span>Yadier Molina</span> was named as one of five finalists for the National League Most Valuable Player award by the Baseball Writers Association of America on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Molina joins <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Brewers</a> outfielder Ryan Braun, <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> outfielder <span>Andrew McCutchen</span>, <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> catcher <span>Buster Posey</span> and <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Padres</a> third baseman <span>Chase Headley</span> on the final ballot. The winner of the award will be announced next week.</p>
<p>Molina had a career year at the plate, hitting .315/.373/.501 with 22 home runs and 28 doubles for the Cardinals in 2012, while also providing his typical brand of superb defense behind it. He was selected to the NL All-Star team for the fourth-straight season, and last week, was named the league's Gold Glove winner at catcher for the fifth consecutive year.</p>
<p>Molina is the only member of the Cardinals to be named as a finalist for a major award this season. The BBWAA also announced the finalists for the Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards for both leagues on Wednesday.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/11/7/3615512/yadier-molina-cardinals-nl-mvp-fiinalistBryan Kilpatrick