Hudson's 30, has a career line of .278/.342/.430, middling speed, and middling power. Plus, he has a pretty extensive injury history. Basically, I disagree.
basically i disagree... Hudson by far is the best fielding 2nd baseman in all of baseball and out of your 3 favorites utley phillips and cano Hudson has been more durable and played in more games per year then phillips and utley so your extensive injury thing does not fly with me he is averaging 140 games a year since coming up looks like normal days off..he did at the end of last years season break his thumb sliding into 2nd and missed the last 6 games of the season but of your 3 cano is the best offensive player ops wise but hudsons defensive prowess at 2nd is by far the best in all of baseball that and decent offensive numbers for a 2nd baseman and throw in his leadershipp skills showing the way to all the kids in AZ(baseballs youngest team to make the playoffs last year)..makes hudson my choice and why i did not vote in your poll! BTW why aint a NL allstar chosen by larussa in last years allstar game not in your poll?
Last edited by teamera2008 : 04-12-2008 at 10:19 AM.
The gap between Hudson and Cano, Utley, and Phillips is too much for Hudson's glove to make up for. Plus, at 30, Hudson has likely peaked, whereas Cano, Utley, and Phillips still have room for improvement.
I respect defense, but when comparing players in the majors offense is far more important, so long as the gap in defense isn't harrowing. The one example that comes to mind, in which defense did change my mind, was in last year's NL Rookie of the Year voting. I almost would have went with Tulowitzki over Braun, due to the former being brilliant with the glove, and the latter not owning one, it would seem. However, the more significant gap in offense (as well as Tulo's splits) led me to think twice, but still believe Braun is the right choice.
In this poll, Hudson may be the best fielder. However, in comparison the other players in this poll, he is the worst hitter - and his edge in defense doesn't close that gap. And, I disagree with your injury statement - in his career he's missed 20, 27, 31, 5, and 23 games. Most players do not 'rest' for twenty games. The only season that he's been injury free was 2006 - and that weighs against him.
The gap between Hudson and Cano, Utley, and Phillips is too much for Hudson's glove to make up for. Plus, at 30, Hudson has likely peaked, whereas Cano, Utley, and Phillips still have room for improvement.
I respect defense, but when comparing players in the majors offense is far more important, so long as the gap in defense isn't harrowing. The one example that comes to mind, in which defense did change my mind, was in last year's NL Rookie of the Year voting. I almost would have went with Tulowitzki over Braun, due to the former being brilliant with the glove, and the latter not owning one, it would seem. However, the more significant gap in offense (as well as Tulo's splits) led me to think twice, but still believe Braun is the right choice.
In this poll, Hudson may be the best fielder. However, in comparison the other players in this poll, he is the worst hitter - and his edge in defense doesn't close that gap. And, I disagree with your injury statement - in his career he's missed 20, 27, 31, 5, and 23 games. Most players do not 'rest' for twenty games. The only season that he's been injury free was 2006 - and that weighs against him.
how can you say anything about a big gap when in fact O dawgs OPS is higher then phillips .774 to 729 and as for age less then a year separates him and utley ...orlando came to the show 1/2 season before chase but has played in almost 200 more games! phillips came up the same year as O dawg but hudson has played in 225 more games...? there is a reason that hudson over the last 5 has led the majors in DP's & zone rating among 2nd basemen! O dawg runs down and makes plays oin balls the other 3 dream about making plays on! and for a year before NL allstar to be left off a poll is wrong!
That's pretty cut and dry, in my opinion. Twenty-two points in average, thirty-two points in OBP, and ninety-three points in SLG.
Secondly, we compare Phillips and Hudson. Phillips is about 4 years younger than Hudson, and didn't play his first full season until 2006. This poll revolves around choosing which player you'd most like on your team for the next five years. Phillips' projections are through the roof and, for the last two years, he's already outproduced Hudson. He's better on the bases, has more power, and, in 2007, was a better fielder, to boot.
Next, let's compare Cano and Hudson. Cano is about five years younger, and their stats shape up as follows:
Cano - .310/.342/.481
Hudson - .279/.343/.432
And, I'd also like to point out, Cano was better in the field in 2007.
Finally, here's how the other seven shape up against Hudson:
Hudson - .279/.343/.432
Roberts - .281/.352/.410
Uggla - .261/.330/.478
Kinsler - .275/.352/.445
Kendrick - .311/.338/.441
Johnson - .264/.358/.433
Hill - .288/.342/.416
Pedroia - .296/.360/.413
I appreciate the fact that, next to some of these guys, Hudson looks like he should make it on the poll. However, consider that, with the exception of Roberts, Hudson is at least three years older than each other player listed here (and I give Roberts the advantage due to his speed). Kinsler, Kendrick, Johnson, Hill, and Pedroia are all very young and trending upwards, and Uggla is already a massive power threat - if I were building a team, I would choose anyone on this poll over Hudson for the next five years.
I'd take Chase Utley for the next 5 years. I've seen this kid come up through the minors and become a great player. Cano is too streaky and I think Kelly Johnson has about 2 years before he starts breaking out.
Best Second Baseman in Baseball
Linear Mode
