Who is the game's best active SS?

[Texas Rangers]

Which of these supreme SS's do you think is the best active SS all-around?

[Da Penguin]

Young...by far is the best....he didn't a such a good game last night though....but then again the only Ranger that did was Carlos lee

[Mattingly]

Not that I'm much of a debater (I'm not, so don't expect much here from me), but what criteria are being counted? Offense? Defense? Baserunning? Doing the most to help one's team win, such as sac bunts, ability to drive in runners when a team desperately needs a run? Making the right play to get that needed out? Cutoff? DPs & assists?

[Da Penguin]

ability to drive in runners when a team desperately needs a run?


Young,Young,Young :)

[Texas Rangers]

Offense, Deffense, everything. Anything that is productive.

[SoxSon]

Offense, Deffense, everything. Anything that is productive.

While contributing virtually nothing offensively, defensively, Alex Gonzalez is an amazing shortstop.

[BoSox Rule]

Miguel Tejada

[Da Penguin]

Offensively:Young

Defensively:Jeter

Clutch:Young

All-star MVP:Young

I could go on and on but I won't :laugh :)

[SoxSon]

Defensively:Jeter



You would pick Jeter as the best defensive shortstop playing right now?

[Baseball Guru]

Young...by far is the best....he didn't a such a good game last night though....but then again the only Ranger that did was Carlos lee


By far?

I think Tejada is the best...

[Skin & Bones]

Jeter, despite his below average defense. His bat has been lethal this year, giving him a lot of value.

[Red Sox Rule]

I voted for Tejada. He was brilliant in the game when i saw him at Fenway Park and i have liked him ever since then.

[Astro]

Went with Derek Jeter, he can hit 20 homeruns, hit .350, steal 25 bases while playing pretty good defense...

[Francoeurstein]

Offensively:Young

Defensively:Jeter

Clutch:Young

All-star MVP:Young

I could go on and on but I won't :laugh :)

Jeter over Vizquel Defensively???

[Brannu]

Jeter over Vizquel Defensively???

That's what I'm saying. Vizquel's looking at his 10th (??) gold glove this year.

[SoxSon]

That's what I'm saying. Vizquel's looking at his 10th (??) gold glove this year.

Gonzalez might be right next to Vizquel defensively this season, though. (Not quite there, mind you. ;) )

[Brannu]

Gonzalez might be right next to Vizquel defensively this season, though. (Not quite there, mind you. ;) )

Fortunately, for Vizquel and Gonzalez, they're in different leagues. :)

[The Big C]

Other. A-Rod. He's not currently playing shortstop, but if he were he'd be the best in the league. Maybe that's cheating. Maybe I don't care.

[SoxSon]

Fortunately, for Vizquel and Gonzalez, they're in different leagues. :)

Yup. I'm excited about the prospect of Alex winning in the AL, though. Actually, I'm just excited about having good defense in Boston. It has been a nice change of pace.

[Mattingly]

So all those who talk about ability to drive in runs, baserunning, steals or whatever. Can we have some stats or something supporting these arguments. What about the RISP? What are the "little things" (we Yankee fans call them "intangibles" that players do which don't count in the stat books that definitely help a team on a daily basis?

Such great candidates, but other than names and the presumption of how great they are, I'm not seeing much support. Let's hear some reasoning behind the decisions. What makes them so valuable after all? :)

[HOOTIE]

Young...by far is the best....he didn't a such a good game last night though....but then again the only Ranger that did was Carlos lee


Young is horrible with glove, and has stats inflated by ballpark. Tejada/Jeter are the best.

[HOOTIE]

Offensively:Young

Defensively:Jeter

Clutch:Young

All-star MVP:Young

I could go on and on but I won't :laugh :)

Let's be serious. Jeter is FAR from the best glove.

[KCGHOST]

In the last two years Jeter has a higher WARP3 than any of these guys. Young is pretty close and is two years younger.

[Da Penguin]

Young is horrible with glove, and has stats inflated by ballpark. Tejada/Jeter are the best.

Young isn't horrible just...not the best

[csh19792001]

Went with Derek Jeter, he can hit 20 homeruns, hit .350, steal 25 bases while playing pretty good defense...

Agreed.

Don't forget 200 hits and 100 runs annually (when he's healthy).

I think Jeter's (arguably) been playing the best baseball of his life over the past two years.

[BaseballHistoryNut]

May I vote for A-Rod?

[SoxSon]

May I vote for A-Rod?

"The Big C" beat you to it in post #18.
If ARod hasn't gone back to SS yet, it's not happening for the foreseeable future.

[baseball junkie]

Jose Reyes -- he's the Mets' sparkplug and he keeps that engine roaring. Second, Derek Jeter, yeah there are a lot of haters out there. And there are lots of questionable defensive "metrics" that say he isn't a good shortstop but he's the absolute field general of the Yankees and the last time I checked they'd won 4 World Series with him in command. Think of him as Patton, just playing shortstop.

[SoxSon]

Think of him as Patton, just playing shortstop.

I just can't imagine "Old Blood and Guts" playing with a glove and ball. ;)

[W_Marone]

I was tempted to say other and perhaps go with someone like an Orlando Cabrera but, alass, I went with Miguel Tejada.

[Blackout]

1-jeter
2-young
3-tejada
4-reyes
5-guillen

[baseball junkie]

Okay if you can't think of "Old Blood and Guts" playing baseball then how about the GI General?

Second from the left is Gen. Omar Bradley. That's West Point's 1914 team.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/bradley/04.jpg

Patton of course is not in the picture. He graduated in 1909.

[Reed Johnson]

Tejada. The choice was pretty obvious to me.

[SoxSon]

Okay if you can't think of "Old Blood and Guts" playing baseball then how about the GI General?

Second from the left is Gen. Omar Bradley. That's West Point's 1914 team.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/bradley/04.jpg

Patton of course is not in the picture. He graduated in 1909.

Eh. Bradley was an alternate for one year as a freshman, and he was no Patton off the field. :D

Nice pic, by the way.

[yankillaz]

I like how a non-fielding shortstop is the best in here.

Instead i go for Miguel Tejada. He's a fabulous shortstop. BTW, he's got better personality than A-Job. He said that if they traded him to Anaheim or Texas he won't switch position. Unlike the idiotic A-Fraud.

[redban]

I'd go with jeter as #1,with Reyes 2nd.

Young and Tejada just don't impress me.

[ThePeach]

Eh... Jeter is not the best defensive shortstop, that's almost silly. But he is the best overall shortstop, partially because he is the *only* one to have proven to be good since, well, he's been here. Tejada might be second, he's had his glory moments, and people thought he was the best for a time, but he's really cooled off since then (oh, and he's not that great with the glove... I've seen him make more errors than any other player). And yeah, Jeter is having another strong offensive year, demonstrating how he deserves honors of the best after ten+ years.

[Blackout]

I like how a non-fielding shortstop is the best in here.

Instead i go for Miguel Tejada. He's a fabulous shortstop. BTW, he's got better personality than A-Job. He said that if they traded him to Anaheim or Texas he won't switch position. Unlike the idiotic A-Fraud.

since when did Tejada get a rep for being anything other than a below average defensive shortstop? seriously, do you let your bias get in the way of all your choices?

a-fraud, how clever :rolleyes:

[ElHalo]

First: If you mean current, as in, right now, it has to be Jeter. Jeter is arguably the best player in the American League this season, and nobody else can say that. If you expand the definition to just mean the last couple years, I can see arguments for Young and Tejada, but I still have to go with Jeter, as Young's offense is largely a product of his park, and Tejada is clearly slipping. And both are pretty terrible defensive SS's at this point, and though Jeter is no Ozzie Smith (nor, indeed, even an Ozzie Guillen) with the glove, he's better than those two. Has anybody seen Tejada's OBP lately?


Instead i go for Miguel Tejada. He's a fabulous shortstop. BTW, he's got better personality than A-Job. He said that if they traded him to Anaheim or Texas he won't switch position. Unlike the idiotic A-Fraud.

I agree that Tejada is a more likable player than ARod... but this argument actually HURTS your point. ARod being willing to change position for the good of his team, and Tejada refusing to do so, actually makes ARod more respectable than Tejada. It's a valid point, but this argument says the opposite of what you want it to say.

[Senior skittles]

well all around SS? julio lugo!!!!

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
2006 73 289 53 89 17 1 12 27 144 27 47 18 4 .373 .498 .308


can hit for power in the 3 slot.....or can get on base in the leadoff spot......very quick!! and good defense.

[Hammerin Hank]

Alex Rodriguez.

[flea45]

Gotta think A-rod would be the best ss without a doubt if he never moved...but as for active guys would go with jose reyes.....man hes good:crazy

[yankillaz]

Best WS for SS from 1996 to the present:

1996: Alex Rodriguez (34) [Jeter: 18]
1997: Jeff Blauser (26.7) [Jeter: 19.3]
1998: Alex Rodriguez (29.6) [Jeter: 26.9]
1999: Derek Jeter (35.3)
2000: Alex Rodriguez (37.2) [Jeter: 22.8]
2001: Alex Rodriguez (36.8) [Jeter: 27.7]
2002: Alex Rodriguez (35.5) [Jeter: 23.9]
2003: Alex Rodriguez (32.5) [Jeter: 17.8]
2004: Miguel Tejada (29.4) [Jeter: 25.9]
2005: Michael Young and David Eckstein (27.6) [Jeter: 25.6]

Tejada was second to Young and Eckstein in 2005, to Rodriguez in 2002 and 2003, and led in 2004.

Jeter led in 1999, but has never been second. So you're telling me, that by the metric that's apperently most respected here in the BBF, Jeter is the best SS in the Major?

Right now he's without the best, by little, because Reyes can create more havoc and is a better fielder, and Tejada has less lineup protection and has more power.

BTW, i take Tejada over Jeter any time in fielding. What's more important...FP% or RFG%??? If you take FP% then Jeter is better. If you take RFG% then Tejada is better, simple. Is just matter of what's more important. I take the later.

Let me go on...

Best VORP for SS from 1996 to the present:

1996: Alex Rodriguez
1997: Nomar Garciaparra
1998: Alex Rodriguez
1999: Derek Jeter
2000: Alex Rodriguez
2001: Alex Rodriguez
2002: Alex Rodriguez
2003: Alex Rodriguez
2004: Miguel Tejada
2005: Michael Young

Ummm..even, again. But a nod to Tejada being among the top two on three seasons, whereas Jeter only made two.


Best EQA for SS from 1996 to the present:

1996: Alex Rodriguez
1997: Nomar Garciaparra
1998: Alex Rodriguez
1999: Derek Jeter
2000: Alex Rodriguez
2001: Alex Rodriguez
2002: Alex Rodriguez
2003: Alex Rodriguez
2004: Miguel Tejada
2005: Michael Young

Pretty much the same.

So what's all the fuzz about Jeter??? Oh, yeah, the championships he got all alone. Tejada is such a difficult hitter as Jeter is.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

The best shortstop who is an active player is A-Rod. Period.

[yankillaz]

The best shortstop who is an active player is A-Rod. Period.

The thing is, that the Yankees made him change position to give Jeter a chance for this one. You know. He'll eventually make the HOF, but when they read his credentials, they can argue that he was the best SS of his time. He's got a case now, but when A-Job was around, he didn't stood a chance. Don't you get it? Now, Yankee fans are driving A-Job crazy because he can't field third base. Go put your friggin captain at third to see if he doesn't brake the record for erros in the Third Base!!!:grouchy

Then again, that's why i can't stand Yankee fans.

[Da Penguin]

Young and Tejada just don't impress me.

:grouchy
WHAT!!! Young is last years batting champ,and this years all-star MVP,Tejada is the 04'AS MVP...

Young is batting .308 with 10 homer's and 70 RBI'S

Tejada is batting .330 with 19 homer's and 77 RBI'S

you can't still tell me that those numbers don't impress you

[yankillaz]

WHAT!!! Young is last years batting champ,and this years all-star MVP,Tejada is the 04'AS MVP...

Young is batting .308 with 10 homer's and 70 RBI'S

Tejada is batting .330 with 19 homer's and 77 RBI'S

you can't still tell me that those numbers don't impress you

Cut him so slack Da Penguin. He's a Yankee fan.

[Da Penguin]

Cut him so slack Da Penguin. He's a Yankee fan.


OK...but still what he said is just stupid...except for the jeter part

[Outta Here]

Jeter, but it will be Reyes... soon

[Texas Rangers]

I think A-Rod COULD OF BEEN the games best active SS if he had not made the move to 3B, but its hard to say he is the best when who knows what could have happened at SS. He could of been doing the same thing at SS that he is doing at 3B this year: making errors.

[yankillaz]

Sure, the best deffensive shortstop in the AL will be commiting errors. Interesting insight.

[Senior skittles]

A-rod is not an ACTIVE ss so how can you consider him for this pole?????? NO love for julio lugo????haha ok!

[Astro]

A-rod is not an ACTIVE ss so how can you consider him for this pole?????? NO love for julio lugo????haha ok!
Julio Lugo is no lonver an active SS either.......

[Senior skittles]

thats true...but when i posted this he was!

[Doors4Siempre]

Offensively:Young

Defensively:Jeter

Clutch:Young

All-star MVP:Young

I could go on and on but I won't :laugh :)

How can Jeter be better than Young defensively if his fielding percentage is lower that Young's. Also, how do you measure clutch?

[Jose Reyes]

I think Reyes deserves some more love. I think he'll be considered a "5-Tool Player" later on in his career. He'll probably lead the league in steals for the next decade or so. I saw on Baseball Tonight that he was also the first player since 1900 to have 20 doubles, 15 triples, 15 homeruns, and 50 steals. He is also a great defensive player and has a cannon and he hustles out every groundball. He has very good power for a speedy leadoff hitter and may hit 20+ homeruns this year. And he's only 23, by the time he's 27 his body and muscles may mature even more and he'll be even stronger and who knows, he could have 30+ homerun power by then. He may not be the best this year, but he is already making a strong case for mvp in only in 2nd full season and he could be the best shortstop in the league for years to come.

[Mattingly]

Instead i go for Miguel Tejada. He's a fabulous shortstop. BTW, he's got better personality than A-Job. He said that if they traded him to Anaheim or Texas he won't switch position. Unlike the idiotic A-Fraud.
The thing is, that the Yankees made him change position to give Jeter a chance for this one. You know. He'll eventually make the HOF, but when they read his credentials, they can argue that he was the best SS of his time. He's got a case now, but when A-Job was around, he didn't stood a chance. Don't you get it? Now, Yankee fans are driving A-Job crazy because he can't field third base. Go put your friggin captain at third to see if he doesn't brake the record for erros in the Third Base!!!:grouchy

Then again, that's why i can't stand Yankee fans.
Cut him so slack Da Penguin. He's a Yankee fan.
Can you stop the insults to players and fans? We all have our likes, but can you at least not be insulting to people?

As to the 2nd quote above, did you realize you were replying to a Cleveland Indians fan whose SS is Jhonny Peralta, not Derek Jeter?

BTW, there are serious baseball people and those who don't think much about the game from all cities and supporting all teams. I don't believe it's accurate to say that Yankee fans aren't intelligent, any more than other fans are.

[Hammerin Hank]

Uh oh, he offended a Yankee fan with mod powers. :rolleyes:

[willie24fan]

Okay he's not active but its A-Rod. His errors from 3B notwithstanding, he was the best all-around SS before he made the move and there is little doubt he would have continued. His willingness to make the move and come up with a near gold glove last year while still a MVP shows his unselfishness.

Currently I'd go with Jeter because he's such a stud at the plate and does not seem to make any wrong plays at the wrong time. His range may be off but his consistency is amazing, especially being in NY and a Yankee. He's the consummate professional. (This is from a lifelong Bosox fan.)

[Baseball Guru]

I saw on Baseball Tonight that he was also the first player since 1900 to have 20 doubles, 15 triples, 15 homeruns, and 50 steals. He is also a great defensive player and has a cannon and he hustles out every groundball. He has very good power for a speedy leadoff hitter and may hit 20+ homeruns this year.


Great point... He actually has a shot at 20/20/20/60, which would be a first EVER... I think the triples may be tough to get to 20 but still, a 20/15/20/60 is pretty damn good!! He should get to about 75 or so rbi's, which is great for a leadoff hitter...

[Mattingly]

Uh oh, he offended a Yankee fan with mod powers. :rolleyes:
I've said this about anyone who insults a player and the fans here. If he'd insulted a Cub and Cubs fans, I've had said the exact same thing.

[MetsFan11368]

I don't know who's the best, but if I had to pick one of them for the seventh game of a WS, I'd choose Capt Intangibles. He makes things happen.