Cubs' most valuable? It's anybody's ballgame
Well, who is it?
Just who exactly is the Cubs' MVP this season?
Daryle Ward, the floor is yours.
"Right now, that would be tough," said Ward, pinch-hitter deluxe and a major contributor himself to a Cubs team in the thick of a pennant race. "That's a tough one. I would definitely have to get some help on that answer."
No help on this one.
"Well, the whole team is playing well, so it makes everybody shine," he said. "You get hot hands. At one point I was doing really well and Jacque (Jones) was doing well at times. (Mark) DeRosa would get hot and have about 8 hits in a row.
"It's just been one of those years where someone's been pulling the train until everyone else could get themselves settled back in and start swinging the bats well."
Good stuff, but that still doesn't answer the question.
So we'll leave it up to you, the fans.
What do you think?
Here are some of the nominees:
Aramis Ramirez
.313, 23 HR, 92 RBI
Pros: Fielded this question Wednesday: Why are you so clutch? It's a legitimate question for a guy who is just that -- clutch. Has 13 game-winning RBI, 34 two-out RBI and a slugging percentage of .552, all while playing with a variety of nagging injuries. Came into Wednesday's game batting .322 with 7 homers and 21 RBI in his last 34 games. Absolutely underrated defensively.
Cons: Has been accused of not always hustling.
Mark DeRosa
.297, 10 HR, 71 RBI
Pros: Another solid off-season signing by GM Jim Hendry. Came in as the second baseman but has proven his worth at third base and right field as well. This team player and character guy has 5 game-winning RBI and 26 two-out RBI. Has started at five different positions and has batted in every spot in the order except leadoff. With 2 hits Wednesday, he went 9-for-10 against the Reds in the three-game series.
Cons: Been a very streaky hitter. Recently went through a 14 at-bat hitless streak but is hitting over .375 since. Had a slow start to the season, hitting 250 in his first 46 games.
Ryan Theriot
.268, 44 RBI, 27 steals
Pros: The guy who seemingly always has to prove himself has done just that this year after finishing 2006 with a rush. The 27-year-old has already set career highs in nearly every offensive category. He boasts a .340 OBP in his last 71 games. Leads the team with 27 stolen bases and has been a late-inning spark pug. Has played a solid shortstop.
Cons: Though he hates to admit it, seems to have slowed down a bit after playing his first full major-league season. Is 5-for-41 after his nine-game hitting streak ended on Sept. 8.
Alfonso Soriano
.292, 28 HR, 59 RBI
Pros: When this guy is hitting on all cylinders, just sit back and enjoy. Hit his ninth game-opening home run Wednesday, setting a franchise record. Despite being hobbled with a leg injury, has 10 homers in his last 23 games. Was on the disabled list for 19 games in August, and over that span the Cubs were 8-11. Came into Wednesday's game batting .486 (34-for-70) when putting the first pitch in play with an .843 slugging percentage. Has a gun for an arm.
Cons: Goes to the plate hacking, often regardless of the situation. Other than his arm, his defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Jacque Jones
.274, 5 HR, 59 RBI
Pros: What a turnaround for the guy who was booed mercilessly early on and was almost traded to Florida a few months ago. Since then, the ever-hustling Jones has at times put the team on his back. Hit .233 before the all-star break, and .314 since. Came into Wednesday's game hitting .413 with 31 RBI with runners in scoring position and two outs. Led the Cubs in August hitting .349 with 21 RBI in 26 games.
Cons: Can't go through prolonged slumps as he did early when he was the master of the ground out to second. Occasionally not as patient at the plate as he should be.
Carlos Marmol
5-1, 1.25 ERA, 1 save, 16 holds
Pros: This guy has been so good in his late-inning setup role that fans are clamoring for him to replace Dempster as closer. Teammates say opposing batters rarely look comfortable against the 24-year-old. His 1.25 ERA is tops in the majors among relievers.
Cons: Seventh inning isn't the ninth inning.
Ted Lilly
15-7, 3.78 ERA, 200 innings
Pros: Proven to be one of the best off-season free-agent signings. If not the ace of the staff, at least the co-ace along with Carlos Zambrano. His 15 victories tie a career high and are the most by a Cubs lefty since Greg Hibbard won 15 in 1993. Has a knack for stopping losing streaks.
Cons: We're reaching here, but Lilly, like the rest of the Cubs starters, needs to improve his bunting skills.
Bob Howry
6-7, 3.38 ERA, 8 saves, 22 holds
Pros: The guy who once had a "fan" visit him on the mound has come on like gangbusters in the second half with an ERA below 2.00 in 35 appearances. Filled in admirably as closer when Ryan Dempster was on the shelf. Has made the eighth inning as close to automatic as you can get.
Cons: Needs to improve on the road, where he's 1-4 with a 4.28 ERA.
You can vote
Go online and Cast your MVP vote here for your Cubs MVP from our eight choices.
The candidates
• Aramis Ramirez
• Mark DeRosa
• Ryan Theriot
• Alfonso Soriano
• Jacque Jones
• Carlos Marmol
• Ted Lilly
• Bob Howry