Best Active Second Baseman

[baseball junkie]

Reading TR's thread made me think about the other side of the infield, particularly second base. With that in mind, who is the best active second baseman?

[AznInvasion]

Chase Utley is the best imo but defensively O-dog is amazing. I like Uggla alot but I give the nod to the best offensive 2nd baseman. Why isn't Jose Lopez on this list?

[Bronxbombers]

Not even close in my mind. Utley is passable defensively but his offensive game is so much better than any other second baseman.

[yankillaz]

Utley hits better. Hudson deffends better. Loretta is in the middle. ;)

BTW, why isn't Soriano on this list?

[baseball junkie]

Utley hits better. Hudson deffends better. Loretta is in the middle. ;)

BTW, why isn't Soriano on this list?

In case you haven't noticed he's been playing left field all year for the Washington Nationals and is no longer a second baseman. The question isn't who's the best active left fielder. So that's why he's not on the list.

[cbenson5]

I voted for Biggio, but I was thinking more along the lines of career accomplishments. I think the best 2'nd baseman in the game today is Chase Utley by a wide margin.

[baseball junkie]

Chase Utley is the best imo but defensively O-dog is amazing. I like Uggla alot but I give the nod to the best offensive 2nd baseman. Why isn't Jose Lopez on this list?

Well, I think his career .294 OBP disqualifies him as the best active second baseman.

[Hammerin Hank]

I can't vote for this one because no one significantly stands out.

[Dodger_Ric]

Oh, so Jeff Kent isn't on the list because he's on the DL then? LMFAO :D

Soriano might be back at 2nd depending on who he signs with in the off season, so I'd say him 1a. Utley 1b.

Utley will be the 1st 2b to go in your fantasy draft next year. All this talk about the Dodger farm system, but I'd sure like to have Utley and Howard on the right side of the infield for the next 15 years.

[Hammerin Hank]

All this talk about the Dodger farm system, but I'd sure like to have Utley and Howard on the right side of the infield for the next 15 years.

I didn't see anyone talking about the Dodgers farm system.:confused:

[baseball junkie]

If Soriano signs with the Cubs or the Angels or the Orioles or the Giants in the off-season and is returned to second base, we'll have to have another poll then. But for right now he's a left fielder. And frankly, I won't be too surprised if the Nationals resign Soriano after this season just to have a superstar to attract the crowds. The new ownership group certainly has the cash-flow.

Jeff Kent is somewhat valid. If a moderator can add Kent to the poll, please do. I simply skipped him because he's 38 and has missed about 40 games due to injuries this year.

[yankillaz]

In case you haven't noticed he's been playing left field all year for the Washington Nationals and is no longer a second baseman. The question isn't who's the best active left fielder. So that's why he's not on the list.

Did we stop considering Biggio a 2bmen when he shifted momentarily to the outfield? Juan Samuel played in the outfield for the Mets in 1989, then he was shifted to second once again.

I'll always see Soriano as a 2bmen. I think there are more talented left fielders than 2bmen, and remember, the case in Washington was because they had Vidro. Soriano will be playing second base in this season, if he does get change, or by next season.

[Da Penguin]

I voted for Biggio, but I was thinking more along the lines of career accomplishments. I think the best 2'nd baseman in the game today is Chase Utley by a wide margin.

then u probably should've voted for Utley because the was who is todays best active shortstop.

[Outta Here]

Chase Utley definitely :clapping

[Texas Rangers]

I went with Robinson Cano. He might not be the best fielder, Hudson, and he might not be the best hitter, Utley, but he is solid all-around. I think if he wouldn't of gone on the DL he would have had a nice average and maybe 20 HRs.

[KCGHOST]

I went with Utley. He is playing the best of all these guys and has the most upside.

[Brannu]

Sorry to be the guy that goes with history first .... Kent. I can't believe that I'm the only person that voted for him. We get so caught up in riding the wave of the now without giving guys their historical due. 8 out of the last 10 seasons he's knocked in over 100 rbi and has had at least 22 homeruns in each of those seasons.

I could have also gone with Biggio. But, in my opinion, Utley falls into that category of the best "young" second baseman. He still has to prove himself over more years to be considered as good as Kent and Biggio - in my opinion.

[SoxSon]

Sorry to be the guy that goes with history first .... Kent. I can't believe that I'm the only person that voted for him. We get so caught up in riding the wave of the now without giving guys their historical due. 8 out of the last 10 seasons he's knocked in over 100 rbi and has had at least 22 homeruns in each of those seasons.

I could have also gone with Biggio. But, in my opinion, Utley falls into that category of the best "young" second baseman. He still has to prove himself over more years to be considered as good as Kent and Biggio - in my opinion.

In fairness to the others, Brannu, Kent was a late addition. I added him, as baseball junkie requested so.

[Astro]

Orlando Hudson on the list over Luis Castillo? You must only be talking about this season so I'm going with Utley because he is having the best season at 2nd base

[sturg1dj]

I'm not voting unless Polanco is on that list...actually I voted for Utley and would anyways, but where is Polanco...he is hitting right around .300 for the best team in baseball and 2nd in hittiing with RISP

[SoxSon]

I'm not voting unless Polanco is on that list...actually I voted for Utley and would anyways, but where is Polanco...he is hitting right around .300 for the best team in baseball and 2nd in hittiing with RISP

Polanco hasn't shown any power this season at all, and his OBP is .332, but if a few of those other names are up there, his should probably be, too.

I'll add him, and if you want him off it, baseball junkie, let me know.

[Texas Rangers]

I'm not voting unless Polanco is on that list...actually I voted for Utley and would anyways, but where is Polanco...he is hitting right around .300 for the best team in baseball and 2nd in hittiing with RISP


Polanco makes several errors. No defense what-so-ever.

[sturg1dj]

Polanco makes several errors. No defense what-so-ever.

well I'm not saying hes the best or anything...he wouldn't even have gotten my vote, but I have watched him the last 2 years and he is as solid a 2nd baseman as I have seen....that includes Lou Whitaker.....he's not spectacular, but makes all the plays that he should

[yankillaz]

This is typical. In April Chris Shelton was the best Rule 5 player ever, and Greg Maddux was even better than Walter Johnson. Three months later one is in the minors, and the other might be the worst trade the Dodgers have made in their history...and that's much.

Media makes people think what they want. Now Utley, streak and all is a fav over proven players, veterans, solid rookies. I'm not saying that his winning this poll is wrong. The thing is the wide margin...due in part to the media coverage.

But, hey...the system is not perfect.:ughh

[Astro]

This is typical. In April Chris Shelton was the best Rule 5 player ever, and Greg Maddux was even better than Walter Johnson. Three months later one is in the minors, and the other might be the worst trade the Dodgers have made in their history...and that's much.

Media makes people think what they want. Now Utley, streak and all is a fav over proven players, veterans, solid rookies. I'm not saying that his winning this poll is wrong. The thing is the wide margin...due in part to the media coverage.

But, hey...the system is not perfect.:ughh
Had you asked me before the season started I would have chosen Utley... you do realize the numbers he put up in 2005, dont you?

[Dodger_Ric]

worst trade the Dodgers have made in their history...and that's much.


Give me a break, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to bad Dodger trades.

[baseball junkie]

SoxSon, thanks for adding the additional names (Polanco & Kent) to the poll -- both are fne with me.

When I was creating the thread and pole I thought I would catch flak for including 10 possible selections. I was sure people would tell me that ten was way too many, not a couple too few.

If I create a tread like this in the future I'll include an "Other" selection so people can write-in votes.

BTW, unlike a lot of people who have jumped on the Utley bandwagon in the past few months, I've been watching Chase in awe since he was playing second base for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barrons and that was a long time ago. Even then you could just tell that he was a special player, bound for stardom.

[plask_stirlac]

Utley, and this year I picked him as the first fantasy 2B, not knowing Soriano would keep his Arlington stats and lose his road woes.

But anyway, it's Utley. Done deal, easy choice. At second base, he wins the Triple Crown, 2nd in OBP, leads in doubles, runs (and all of MLB), and is 7th in SB. .954 OPS, Durham is second at .891. Plus he has a fine glove. Check Yahoo's MLB, stats, click on 2B in the upper left under sortablestats by position.

Now, most accomplished or greatest is a different question. Biggio.

This is typical. In April Chris Shelton was the best Rule 5 player ever, and Greg Maddux was even better than Walter Johnson. Three months later one is in the minors, and the other might be the worst trade the Dodgers have made in their history...and that's much.


Maddux, the worst Dodger trade? First, they traded Pedro for Delino Deshields. That's a classic. Second, the Lugo trade might be worse from the same day. Plus the Seo-Navarro deal could get ugly if they have one good season between them, probably beating Hendrickson and Hall. Man, the Dodgers sure trade with the Rays a bit!

And for those who voted for Cano, no offense, but my guess is Gillick would hang up on Cano and Hughes for Utley.

[AznInvasion]

I've like Utley for a few years now...not since his minor league days but still a long time. I've called him the best offensive 2nd baseman for a long time too. People called me crazy for it but it's not so farfetched now. It's hard to like a Philly when your a braves fan. How about Luis Castillo as an add on to this list?

[trosmok]

....
If I create a tread like this in the future I'll include an "Other" selection so people can write-in votes.


I would have likely voted "other" if given the option. Utley is one of those guys that sure seem like he's going to keep getting better, if that's possible. When I first saw this thread, though, I was inclined to vote for Josh Barfield, but alas, he wasn't on your list, even as "none of the above".;)

[yankillaz]

I like it how people take and leave from one's comments.

First: I mentioned that Utley probably would've won the poll anyway, but by such a large margin??? MEDIA.

Second: I used a hyperbole here, my bad. Of course the Dodgers got plenty of history, but i mentioned Maddux to be the worst "Mid Season-Sure to be Influential-But won't do no Good-Trade" in this deadline. That's what i meant.