Giancarlo Stanton the Miami Marlins First Half MVP

Jun 25, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Miami Marlins celebrate a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

The only expectation the Miami Marlins came into the 2014 season with the expectation that they would not be as bad as the season before. The 2013 Marlins were proud losers of 100-games, the second most defeats in Marlins history.

A hot start to the season had the team riding high and sitting in first place when everything started to fall apart. On May 9th, because the team was sitting in first, Marlins ace Jose Fernandez decided against telling his team about a sore elbow that was ailing him. As he pitched through this, he tore his UCL and had to have season-ending Tommy John Surgery.

The Marlins have gone 19-26 since Jose went down with his injury. This slump put the Marlins 3 games under .500 after 81 games and four games back in the National League East race.

Here is a look at how the Marlins have fared in the first half (81 games) the past two seasons and the end of season results:

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While the Marlins have the same record as they had in 2012 at the half way point, the team is in a better place for a playoff position due to the new wild card rules and the mediocrity of the division. The team still has it’s work cut out for them if they want to sniff the playoff chase come August.

I consider the 81-game mark the end of the first half, not the All-Star Break. For that reason, I am handing out the Marlins mid-season awards today. The numbers don’t include the game from yesterday, as Sunday’s game was game #82.

Jun 28, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) breaks his bat after hitting a single during the 14th inning against the Oakland Athletics at Marlins Ballpark. The Oakland Athletics won 7-6 in 14th inning. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

First Half MVP: Giancarlo Stanton

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It’s hard to make the argument that anyone player has been more valuable to his team than Giancarlo has been this season. This especailly since he is the only big named Marlin player with Fernandez out. His 4.4 WAR according to Fangraphs is the third best in baseball. However, his 5.1 WAR from Baseball Reference is topped by no other player.

Stanton is on pace for a breakout season and has likely priced himself out of the Marlins price range going forward. For that reason, Marlins fans should enjoy everything that he does this season.

Stanton will be partaking in the home run derby during the ASG break. This will be his first major opportunity to prove how good he is on a national stage.

Jun 25, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; [Miami Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (37) throws against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY SportsFirst Half CY Young: Henderson Alvarez/Jose Fernandez

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Henderson Alvarez has been nothing short of spectacular of late for the Marlins, but his numbers still aren’t as quite as good as Fernandez’s were in his 8 starts. We can only wonder what Fernandez would have done if he were still pitching every 5 days for the Marlins.

For that reason, I decided to name these two co-CY Young’s for the Marlins first half. (It’s so hard to not credit Fernandez, even with him missing half his starts.)

However, if Alvarez continues to pitch like he has, there is no way he doesn’t win the second half CY-Young for the team. His 3 complete game shutouts lead the majors and his 1.05 ERA was the second best mark in the majors for the month of June, only behind the great Clayton Kershaw. His 2.23 FIP was the seventh best in baseball for the month.

Can you imagine how lethal a one-two punch of Jose Fernandez and the June Henderson Alvarez would be?