Cubs News: Javy Baez finishes in Top 2 for MVP award

Patrick Gorski - USA Today Sports

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Thu Nov 15 18:21:01 GMT-04:00 2018

Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Báez finished second in the BBWAA National League MVP voting losing to outfielder Christian Yellich announced on Thursday night. Yellich had 29 out of 30 first-place votes with 415 total points with Baez trailing him with 250 points.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado finished third in the voting.

'El Mago' was looking to be the sixth Puerto Rican player to win the MVP award along with Cepeda, Clemente, Hernandez, Rodriguez, and Gonzalez.

This was the eighth second-place finish for a Cubs player, who have won the award nine times.

Baez won his first-career National League Silver Slugger Award earlier in the offseason.

In 2018, Báez batted .290 (176-for-606) with 101 runs scored, 40 doubles, nine triples, 34 home runs and an N.L.-leading 111 RBI, setting career highs in all six categories. He also turned in a .326 on-base percentage, a .554 slugging percentage and an .881 OPS, all career bests as well. Báez became the first player in major league history to reach 40 doubles, nine triples, 34 homers, 111 RBI and 21 stolen bases within a single season.

Congrats to @javy23baez, who finishes 2nd in NL MVP voting after a breakout 2018! ??? pic.twitter.com/rXpSmet0Q3
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 15, 2018

Baez was also the first player in major league history to hit 30 or more homers in a season in which he played at least 50 games at both shortstop and second base.

Cubs President of Operations Theo Epstein thought very highly of Baez's 2018 season and his attributes as a leader.

"He cares so much about winning and he cares about his teammates, doing little things to help engage them and get them better. Those intangibles behind the scenes are part of what makes him more valuable."