Best left side of the infield, 2004

[nyy26wc]

wijamie wrote--

I'm going to go against conventional logic here and predict that Rolen/Renteria will have more RCAA in '04 than Rodriguez/Jeter. They had 67 combined in '03.

I guess that begs another question...which combo would you rather have? I think I'd still take A-Rod/Jeter, but not by much.

Just looking at the 2003 figures, in which Rodriguez/Jeter beat Rolen/Renteria by just 10 RCAA, is deceptive.

Renteria still has to prove that his 2003 season wasn't a career year. Prior to his 33 RCAA season, he never had a season with more than 13 and, other than his rookie season, his 13 RCAA in 2002 was his only non double digit negative season. So, he no proven track record that says he can be counted on for another 2003 peformance.

Rolen, who had 34 RCAA in 2003, can be counted on as a strong performer. He's had 30+ twice in the past 3 years and 3 times in the past 6 years. Since 1997, Rolen's 192 RCAA are 2nd among major league 3B, behind Chipper Jones's 268 (and, Jones's total only includes his 3B seasons).

Rodriguez is actually coming off a subpar season, by his standards. His 53 RCAA were his worst figure since a 24 RCAA year in 1999. So, his track record shows room for improvement.

And Jeter is also coming off a couple of subpar seasons, by his standards. His 23 and 24 RCAA in 2002-03 were his worst figures since his 10 RCAA season in 1997.

[nyy26wc]

For the record, I'm going with A-Rod/Jeter.

[lonelybrewerfan]

I'll go with Rolen/Renteria because of defense. Jeter is well below average and while it is likely that A-rod will be good at 3B, I don't think he will be Rolen caliber. Renteria is clearly better than Jeter.

I don't know if their defense makes up for the fact that they come up short in the RCAA catergory but I will still go with the cards left side.

[LeGrandOrange]

This seems kind of ironic, but I think the best one may be in Texas. :) If Michael Young is playing shortstop like people are expecting (what is it with moving gold glove calibre players to the left?), Young and Blalock can pack a punch akin to any of the ones listed, and they can field just as nicely.

[LeGrandOrange]

BTW, Lee, it's Bobby Crosby. But don't worry, I guarantee you that there's going to be a lot of flub-ups with the name. Two players with the same first initial and surname, B. Crosby, are definitely going to be confused quite often. :)

[JamesI]

Jeter/ARod, though I have a good feeling about Mora/Tejada (assuming Mora can handle 3rd)

[sweaver]

I voted Jeter/Rodriguez, although I think Rolen/Renteria give them a run for their money.

[TimmyB]

Logic dictates it has to be Jeter/A-Rod. Naturally, being a complete homer, I voted Nomar/Mueller.

Mueller probably had a career year last season, but, in that line-up he's still bound to see a lot of good pitches, so, maybe, just maybe, he's going to have another solid year in Boston.

Nomar, meanwhile, now is in his walk year, and, with no other super-duper shortstops available for Boston, he holds the upper hand. Not to ever suggest that Nomar has dogged it in the past (he doesn't), I still see him out there with something to prove.

[wijamie]

Lee, I really don't think Renteria's '03 was a fluke or career year. If you look at his numbers, his OBA and SLG have risen steadily over the last 3 years, taking his batting average with them. If A-Rod stays at third, I look at Renteria as the heir apparent to be considered the best SS in the game. And he's only 27, possibly just entering his prime.

For the record, I'd take A-Rod over Rolen at third any day of the week, but I think Renteria's advantage over Jeter makes up the difference.

[gyb13]

i think the most expensive duo will be the best one

[Craig S.]

Barring injury, it should easily be Jeter/ARod.

Personally, I'm hoping for injury.

[nyy26wc]

Lee, I really don't think Renteria's '03 was a fluke or career year. If you look at his numbers, his OBA and SLG have risen steadily over the last 3 years, taking his batting average with them.

And if you look at his OPS vs. the league average, he's already had a stretch in which he had rises in consecutive years (with 1 being a big rise), to be followed by a considerable drop.

[wijamie]

I'm assuming it's 2001 you're talking about, Lee. Then look at his whole career- I don't have the OPS vs. league average, but here are his OPS numbers for each year, throwing out his rookie season.

1997- 668
1998- 689
1999- 734
2000- 770
2001- 685
2002- 803
2003- 874

Throw out '01 and it's gone up each year since '97. 2001 looks more like a fluke than 2003 in that context.