The finalists for every end-of-season IBWAA award were announced yesterday. Every group of finalists had something in common, there were no Braves players or coaches included.
At first glance, that seems ludicrous to think of everything the Braves overcame this season to win baseball’s ultimate prize. Then you realize that voting takes place after the regular season concludes, but before the postseason begins.
And as Harold Reynolds says, that’s gotta change.
Just how valuable are Juan Soto, Bryce Harper, & Fernando Tatis Jr if they couldn’t even power their team to the postseason? How is value in baseball now determined, by stats or accomplishments?