The One Trophy Blues

[Just Regular]

Drungo's One Trophy label for the setup of US sports playoffs was new lingo to me recently, and Adley and Gunnar have a long way to go to get near the Active WAR leaders, who also in brilliant careers have zero dogpiles.     Many of them this week we get to see killing themselves for one taste.     Rundown of the top notables, with career rWAR as the top tier of 2024 Clubs begin play today.

86, Mike Trout - his life is his to do with as he chooses, but as a baseball fan I'm rooting for him to go another path before it is too late.

62, Paul Goldschmidt - way past peak.    The 2025 Orioles may be one of few teams with very high playoff odds to want him for a starting role if a Zero Ryan path is charted.    Much more so than any current Oriole, he's been what we hope Coby Mayo might become.

57, Manny Machado - a yardstick of the Dodgers' greatness.    Players like him or Trea Turner or Corey Seager, Andrew Friedman's judgment sometimes is "Nah, not good enough".

56, Nolan Arenado - guaranteed 3/74 on the rest of his contract, perhaps waiting for a buy-side trade.     Declared lame duck GM scenarios are unusual.

52, Jose Ramirez - a player who has devoted himself to one small-market team, and that Club's unquestioned leader, something the Orioles don't have yet.      Some of Adley's teammates and ex-teammates might be salty about recent choices.

52, Aaron Judge - an amazing early 30's peak - problems for the Orioles if he endures like Nelson Cruz or Barry Bonds.    Career health track record has some dings.

51, Bryce Harper - a Manny Machado bookend in my baseball fandom.    They've grown from brash kids to serious professionals - both played much of 2024 less than 100% same as Adley.

49, Francisco Lindor - so close along with Jose Ramirez against the Bryant/Rizzo/Hyde Cubs.     The back strain poetic considering the carrying he's been doing as David Stearns gets ready for his first full off-season running Steve Cohen's club.

49, Andrew McCutchen - nearly the Jose Ramirez of the Pirates.   Nice to see him winding down respectably there.    I'll have generally good wishes for him if he pushes to get to be Paul Skenes teammate for a full season.

44, Giancarlo Stanton - he is upright today, the main thing Brian Cashman cares about.    rWAR has his last 3 seasons worth less than 1 WAR.

43, Shohei Ohtani - one of the greatest players ever has made some choices none of these other greats have to try and tilt the odds in his favor.    His MLB postseason debut is tonight.    Kind of a fun fact rWAR this moment has him at half Trout.

It is possible none of these guys escape this list if the Royals or Tigers come through.