Sizing up the AL East-2B

by moose35 on Jan 5, 2009 4:24 AM EST

Well, with the Yankees winning 1B, let's have a look at the following three second basemen:

Yankees-Robinson Cano

While most people look at last season as a significant down year in Cano's numbers, you'd have to look at the monthly breakdown to get a better idea of where the problems were. His only really bad month was April (sub .200), after which he got better month after month. He is no gold glover, and we're still waiting for the power to show. He is said to be working hard in the DR with Kevin Long, and let's hope that last season was a wake up call for Cano. He has been known not to hustle for ground balls, even getting benched by Girardi for a while. If he's hot though, he's one of the best hitting 2B in the AL. The question is, will he be hot? If he is, and repeats the batting title campaign, he's a legitamate 8. Last season was a 5. I'll try to be unbiased though, and I'll give him a 6.

Red Sox-Dustin Pedroia

Tough to argue that this guy doesn't take home the 2B prize in this post. He's coming into his 3rd year in the big leagues, won ROY in his first, and MVP in his second year. Pedroia also won a Gold Glove last season, and while he doesn't hit for power, he's a legitamate 20-20 threat, with an excellent batting average (.326 last season). I think the Red Sox had a good enough offseason signing this guy to a long term deal. Pedroia is was a 9 last season, and will probably get better; I won't give him a 10 though, because he lacks the power. But he does get a 9.

Devil Rays-Akinori Iwamura

He's also coming into his 3rd full MLB year this season. His 1st season was a disappointment to many, and he didn't increase his numbers in his second year. He looks like an average 2nd baseman, legitimate BA, RBI, and sub-par HR. Not too many steals either. Nothing to complain about this guy, he is a solid ballplayer. He might pick it up in his 3rd year, but now he's looking like the worst out of the three. He's worse than Cano, so he gets a 5.

Red Sox-9pts Yankees-6pts Devil Rays-5pts

So that leaves us with the following standings after 2 rounds:

Red Sox:16pts

Yankees:14pts

Devil Rays:11pts

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Comments

Cano vs. Iwamura

I seriously objected to this post as i was reading it, but after checking out a comparison of their stats, I think i agree. The main difference between Cano and Iwamura is that Cano hits for more power, while Iwamura walks more, resulting in a higher OBP. I thought Cano’s season was worse than it actually was. I now agree with your rankings, but I still don’t like the way you award points. Pedroia is far ahead of Cano, and Tex is only slightly better than Youk- yet the Yankees and Red Sox are tied thus far in your Sizing up of the AL East.

by Schulz on Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM EST reply actions

I changed the rankings

but I still don’t agree that Youkilis is only slightly better than Tex. Career-wise, Tex had an average season while Youkilis had a career year. Pedroia is much better than Cano, but not far ahead, I think.

by moose35 on Jan 5, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

the thing is

I think you’re comparing last season. While that’s the most important season to go with for the rankings, I’m comparing their career’s too, to see where they might be headed next season.

by moose35 on Jan 5, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

I guess I’m optimistic that Youk will repeat (or at least come close to) his performance last year.

by Schulz on Jan 5, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions

Pedroia, Iwamura, Cano

That’s how I would rank them, thoguh all three are at least pretty good

by RayOfLight on Jan 5, 2009 8:26 PM EST reply actions

How can you argue Iwamura is better than Cano?

Let’s look at their career averages and their 2009 Bill James projections (HR-RBI-SB-BA-OBP-SLG-FP).

Cano career: 16-77-3-.303-.335-.468-.982
Cano projection: 17-86-2-.295-.333-.461-?

Iwamura career: 7-41-10-.279-.353-.394-.990
Iwamura projection: 7-45-8-.286-.364-.393-?

The only two categories in which Iwamura bests Cano are SB, OBP, and FP (so, he has slightly more speed, walks more and strikes out less, and plays slightly better defense). Now, Iwamura has only two seasons in the majors and only one at 2B, so his fielding % may come down or may go up as he gets more time at the position, and his offensive stats are pretty consistent so far but may also decline. I don’t know many who would value Iwamura’s upside over Cano’s, especially considering Cano’s monster 2006 and 2007 and strong rookie season. He just happened to have a down year last year. I wouldn’t put it past him to exceed the projections, which only put him a little above his career averages.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Jan 6, 2009 3:14 AM EST up reply actions

what is a ray fan doing on a yankees site,get out of here RayOfLight!!! Cano is clearly better than iwamura.

by jv52yankees on Jan 5, 2009 8:31 PM EST reply actions

and u too schulz go on your own site

by jv52yankees on Jan 5, 2009 10:11 PM EST reply actions

Dude, chill

This blog, like the Internet in general, is open to anyone, and we welcome fans from other teams to engage in debate and lighthearted banter as long as they behave, which Schulz and the other fans have all done, from what I’ve seen.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Jan 6, 2009 3:15 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks Senor

Kind of uncalled for jv 52. I come in peace. You’re welcome over at OTM, where I’ve read a lot of polite yankee fans who offer constructive arguments. I’ve also seen the ones who just come over to say “RED SOX SUCK! RED SOX SUCK! PAPELBON LIKES BALLS!” etc. Please don’t be one of those.

by Schulz on Jan 6, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions