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NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 1:03am.

1st Basemen | Poll

I started off with the first basemen yesterday and I'll leave the poll up until I get through all the positions. If you need a primer on all this, be sure to check out that first post as well on the first basemen.

Today though we move to the second basemen. While Hendry tries to win by sheer numbers, it's about quality, not quantity. Your contestants after the jump....

Player 3-Year Warp-3 Average
3 Year Warp-3 Projection
Rob's Ranking
Mark DeRosa
 3.7 2.4
 4
Rickie Weeks
 3.2 4.27
 2
Adam Kennedy
 2.97 1.1
 6
Kaz Matsui
 3.03 2
5
Brandon Phillips
6.1 (2 years)
 4.7
 1
Freddy Sanchez
5.73
 3.73
 3


 

 

 

 

 


The Justification: Another no-brainer at the top spot, as Brandon Phillips 30/30 numbers last year and 27 years of age make him the clear leader of the pack. It gets a little dicey after that. Freddy Sanchez has had two straight big seasons with Pittsburgh and can play a few positions, but at age 30 and now with a bum shoulder I knocked him down to the three spot. Weeks is off to another slow start and making me seriously reconsider my rankings. But he came on strong at the end of last year and at age 25, still seems like a good bet going forward. And as I mentioned, I did these before the year started. That leaves DeRosa at the fourth spot, although his versatility and good start to season are making me believe that 2005 was the turnaround of his career, not the apex. Once again, I think you could almost flip a coin for the 2-4 spots. Matsui is back from his homoerotic adventures, sorry, anal fissures, but let's say that's one signing I'm glad the Cubs got outbid on. Adam Kennedy's claim to fame was his 3-homer game in the ALCS - in 2002. It's gone all downhill since.

There's another poll for you guys to fill out below this and I'll leave the old polls open until we finish this.

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# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Ryno on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 6:57am.

I tried to pick someone else for '1st' so I wouldn't look like a homer, but I just couldn't put Phillips on top. Also, I had to do this one in reverse order for some reason.

Mark DeRosa
Brandon Phillips
Rickie Weeks
Freddy Sanchez
Adam Kennedy
Kaz Matsui

Adam Kennedy's claim to fame was his 3-homer game in the ALCS - in 2002. It's gone all downhil since.

There was also the time he broke up a Freddie Garcia no-hitter in the 8th or 9th, I forget which. *giggles*

Matsui is back from his homoerotic adventures, sorry, anal fissures

lol

Not that there's anything wrong with that.™

__________________________

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http://wolf-report.blogspot.com

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Stevens on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 8:29am.

I just couldn't put Phillips on top

Why?

Brandon Phillips
Mark DeRosa
Rickie Weeks
Kaz Matsui
Freddy Sanchez
Adam Kennedy

# Another promotion

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 9:05am.
pitcher James Russell already up to AA. I know AZ Phil did a write-up on him, but 14th round pick last year is already in AA. 6-4", 205, 22 years old lefty was 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA at Hi-A Daytona, 27.1 IP, 25 H, 14 K, 7 BB, 2 HR as a starter.

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 9:24am.

Phillips
Sanchez
DeRosa
Weeks
Matsui
Kennedy
.
.
.
.
.
Mike Fontenot

__________________________

Rooting for Laundry since 1987

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:21am.

Mike Fontenot
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Neifi Perez

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Q-Ball on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:23am.

I have to go Brandon Phillips on top, he is faster with more power than DeRosa.

Phillips
DeRosa
Sanchez
Weeks
Matsui
Kennedy

I could see Sanchez over DeRosa, and Weeks could pass them both if he gets it together. DeRosa is the steadier vet of the two.

Looking ahead to the other positions, I think the Cubs have only 1 winner in the whole division (A-Ram), maybe 2 with Soto if we think his early promise will carry the day over a pretty weak group of catchers.

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:27am.

I don't want to ruin the suspense...but yeah, 3b is an easy Cubs win. Catcher, left field and even right field are interesting though for the Cubs.

 

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Q-Ball on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:40am.

This is an interesting series, it puts your guys in a whole new light. Theriot doesn't look so bad, for example, when you look around at guys like Izturis, Bixler (who?).

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:13pm.
well you have to use Jack Wilson instead of Bixler and then Theriot settles in very nicely in the 5 spot, saved only by the presence of Cesar Izturis in the division.

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Chad on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:27am.

How anyone can list Rickie Weeks about Freddy Sanchez is beyond me.

Rickie Weeks blows. He's a moderate hitter and bad fielder.

__________________________

"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:29am.

agreed, His fielding has made the Brewers contemplate moving him to CF. Yet his offense can't really even carry that move to this point.

__________________________

Rooting for Laundry since 1987

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:59am.
How anyone can list Rickie Weeks about Freddy Sanchez is beyond me.

age, injury, potential....not that hard. I think most GM's would trade Sanchez to get Weeks right now. But it's close....imho.


# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Chad on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:06pm.

i can see the age thing but Rickie Weeks has been a full time player (close to) for three full years as has Sanchez. In that time Sanchez's number bury Weeks. Sanchez's doubles weeks in RBIs and scores the same amount of runs. So even if Sanchez doesn't steal bases there is no advantage for Weeks. It doesn't lead to more runs. And yes, I know, team dependency. But we are talking about the Pirates versus the Brewers here.

__________________________

"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:11pm.

well lineup and team dependency...Sanchez has been batting third for the Pirates, a prime RBI spot and ahead of some decent hitters. As I said, it's a toss-up, but I sort of think Sanchez is a bit of a fluke and on his way down. I think Weeks is on his way up.

And the shoulder surgery seems to really have affected Sanchez...I don't think at this point he could play 3b like he use to which knocks him down a bit as well.

 

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Q-Ball on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:34am.

By the way, you could argue Ryan Freel should rank ahead of Kennedy. Though Freel is in Dusty's doghouse, probably because he gets on base too much and doesn't suck from both sides of the plate like a Macias or Neifi-caliber player can.

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:57am.

freel dont have the legs he used to and it shows.

he hits singles and his ability to take a walk is pretty far overblown.

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:02pm.
By the way, you could argue Ryan Freel should rank ahead of Kennedy

on talent and numbers, probably, but he doesn't have a regular gig so he's not included. Has played 3 games in the infield this year, 2 at second, 13 in the outfield. These rankings are gonna get fun when I get to the Reds catching and center field situations.

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:03pm.
The Cubs center field situation as well....

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 12:18pm.

Are we going to have Matt Murton included anywhere? :)

__________________________

Rooting for Laundry since 1987

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Bleeding Blue on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 3:53pm.

These rankings are gonna get fun when I get to the Reds catching and center field situations.

Korey! Korey! Korey!

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# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Chad on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 1:14pm.

Lee Elia rant anniversary today. Already mentioned?

__________________________

"I will ruin this house with my anger!" - Master Shake

# Re: NL Central Smackdown: 2nd Basemen

Submitted by Charlie on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 2:37pm.

Both offensive and defensive numbers make Phillips the obvious top dog (though he should be playing SS anyway). Between DeRo, Sanchez, and Weeks, I'd say it's a tossup. I think Sanchez is a fluke, but his numbers in recent years have been nice. Weeks is a risk as he hasn't yet proven he can hit or field as a major leaguer, but I suspect the bat will come around even if the glove doesn't. DeRo pretty much is what he is, and that's a solid 2B guy who can move all around the field if you need him to. Actually I'd say he's a light-hitting, great fielding 3B guy who can move all around the field if you need him to.

I'd rank Mike Fontenot, Ronny Cedeno, and Albert Pujols above Adam Kennedy at this point. What? Pujols played some innings at second.