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The MVP field thins

Email|Link|Comments (4) Posted by Adam Kilgore, Globe Staff September 5, 2008 03:08 PM

The surging MVP candidacy of Dustin Pedroia may have received an unfortunate boost today with the news that White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin could miss the remainder of the season with what the Associated Press is reporting is a broken right wrist.

Quentin was removed from the lineup before Tuesday’s game because of what the White Sox described then as a sore right forearm, and he hasn’t played since. The team said yesterday that he was hurt during last Monday’s game at Cleveland.

Quentin, who has been hit by a major-league high 20 pitches this season, will have surgery Monday, according the AP. A screw will be inserted into the wrist, and he will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks.

Quentin’s slugging made him perhaps the leading candidate to win the MVP award. He leads the league with 36 home runs, is fourth with 100 RBIs, fourth in SLG at .571, sixth in OBP at .394 and boasts a fantastic OPS+ of 149. And he did it all -- or at least was doing it all -- for a first-place team.

Should Quentin miss the stretch run, it also significantly weakens the White Sox postseason chances, which would again help the Red Sox. Boston is currently four games up over the Central-leading White Sox and 5.5 games up on the Minnesota Twins in the wild card race.

It was hard to imagine both teams passing the Red Sox with Quentin around. Now it seems nearly impossible.

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4 comments so far...

Makes catching Tampa Bay for first paramount. Would get weakened ChiSox or slumping Twins instead of Angels in first round. BIG difference. This why Sox have to get series in Texas, especially with Rays in Toronto.

Posted by bill September 5, 08 04:14 PM

Unfortunately for the White Sox, the broken wrist was provided by Josh Beckett. How convenient! Was the intent to win a game or an MVP trophy ?

Posted by Pale Hose September 5, 08 04:34 PM

Beckett didn't break Quentin's wrist. The idiot did it himself when he hit his bat after fouling off a pitch monday.

Posted by Travis Liles September 5, 08 08:42 PM

I don't understand why Youk has been "ruled out" in the MVP race - his overall numbers are better than Pedey's - don't forget about the Youkster just becuase he's missed a couple of games

Posted by Walt September 6, 08 12:20 AM