The season review is complete, and while the BBWAA prepares to announce its award winners, Just Baseball has already released its staff picks for MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year. Beyond the major awards, the outlet also highlighted top performers across Major League Baseball and provided takeaways from each of the 30 teams’ performance throughout the season.
The end of the season also brought a somber note, as baseball legend Rickey Henderson passed away on , at the age of 65. His passing generated significant attention, becoming the most-viewed player page on Baseball Reference on that day.
Player Page Views Dominate Online Interest
According to Baseball Reference data, page views offer a unique lens through which to examine the MLB season. Shohei Ohtani consistently drew significant attention, appearing as the most-viewed player at both pitcher and designated hitter. Cal Raleigh (catcher), Pete Alonso (first base), Jose Altuve (second base), Rafael Devers (third base), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Aaron Judge, and Mike Trout (outfield) also topped their respective positional charts in terms of page views.
Beyond Henderson’s passing, other spikes in player page views included Juan Soto’s signing with the Mets on , and Ryan McMahon’s trade to the Yankees on . These events demonstrate how key transactions and significant player movements capture the attention of fans online.
Trade Value Discussions Heat Up
As the offseason began, discussions surrounding trade value were already underway. On , Fangraphs published an introduction to its annual Trade Value series, promising a ranking of the 50 most valuable players in baseball, factoring in performance, age, and contract status. The process, led by Ben Clemens, involves a quantitative ranking refined through individual player comparisons and consultation with the FanGraphs staff.
The complexities of evaluating trade value were highlighted, with Clemens noting the difficulty of comparing multiple players – a challenge familiar to anyone who has engaged in fantasy sports or even simple debates over preferred restaurants. The series aims to provide a data-driven assessment of player worth, acknowledging the numerous factors that contribute to a player’s overall value.
Roberto Clemente Award Nominees Announced
The MLB also announced the nominees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing players who demonstrate outstanding character on and off the field. Details regarding the nominees were released by The Source Magazine, though specific names were not provided in the available source material.
Team Takeaways and Playoff Reflections
Just Baseball’s season review delved into the performance of each team, identifying key takeaways from their campaigns. While the Los Angeles Dodgers ultimately reached the World Series, falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-game series, the review offered a broader perspective on the successes and failures of all 30 clubs. The analysis aims to inform understanding of each franchise’s current position and future outlook.
The season was marked by significant player movement, as evidenced by Soto’s move to the Mets and McMahon’s trade to the Yankees. These transactions, along with the passing of a baseball icon in Rickey Henderson, contributed to a year filled with both excitement and reflection. As teams prepare for the season, the lessons learned from will undoubtedly shape their strategies and ambitions.
The emphasis on player page views from Baseball Reference provides a fascinating, if unconventional, metric for gauging fan interest. Ohtani’s dominance in this area underscores his continued appeal, while the spikes surrounding Henderson’s passing and key transactions highlight the emotional connection fans have to the game’s biggest stars and pivotal moments. The ongoing trade value discussions, as spearheaded by Fangraphs, will continue to shape the offseason landscape, as teams seek to optimize their rosters for future success.
