Standing by the field during batting practice last week, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, a high-ranking member of the Washington Nationals was listing reasons the team’s season had been suddenly saved.
That’s when it was suggested, flippantly, that Max Scherzer may be a most valuable player candidate for what he did in June and early July. But the official cut that off mid-sentence before the thought had a chance.
“How could he be when Trea Turner is the MVP of this team?” he asked. “I think I mean that.”
Trea Turner, the Nationals’ 26-year-old shortstop, will not be in the NL MVP mix.