Derek Jeter vs. Miguel Tejada as offensive players

[538280]

Who is the better offensive player?

I don't think it's close, BTW.

[AstrosFan]

But Chris, Tejada has more 100 RBI seasons, more HR, a higher slugging percentage...

[DoubleX]

What I find interesting is that for all Tejada's power, his OPS+ has never been that great. He has a career OPS+ of 114 with a high of 133. Jeter on the otherhand, in 1200 more ABs, has a career OPS+ of 123 and a career high of 161. So while on the surface, I'm sure most people are naturally attracted to Tejada's power and RBI numbers, I think Jeter might actually be the better offensive player, especially when you factor in baserunning as well.

[Dasperp]

Tejada was better in 2002 and 2004 and they were probably about equal in 2005. Jeter has been better every other year, and for their career it really isn't that close. Jeter has a huge advantage in OBP which more than makes up for Tejada's Slugging advantage.

[geezer]

Consistency, both are consistent, but Jeter's a little more, Tejada is more of a power hitter than Jeter, but Jeter hits a little more for average than Tejada, Jeter was born to be a lead-off hitter, Tejada was born to hit 3rd or clean-up.

[Rapmaster]

I think Jeter's the ideal #2 hitter and Tejada's a good #5.

Tejada's always been a free-swinger, he swings at some terrible pitches. Jeter's a lot more patient and disciplined. Tejada's had a knack for overswinging at times too.

[bigtime39]

Don't forget that Tejada played most of 2006 on a bum leg...

[Edgartohof]

I have to go with Jeter here as well. Not that Tejada is bad, because he isn't, and I definitely wouldn't mind him on my team (though I guess it depends on what you need - setup or power), but Jeter does have him with a better BA, and about 46 points of OBP, which more than makes up for the power. Especially when you add his great baserunning/stealing to the mix.

Tejada does have some eye catching stats, such as a couple 200 hit seasons, several .300+ BA's, several 30+ HR seasons, those 100+ RBI seasons (incluing 131 and 150 RBI seasons) - all of which are valuable to the team as well, but Jeter still has a lead in my book. Not some vast gap, but a decent amount you could say.

[Rapmaster]

Don't forget that Tejada played most of 2006 on a bum leg...

and exercising his middle finger and running his mouth :grouchy

[538280]

Tejada has some eye catching numbers because he's a power hitter in the biggest power hitting era of all time. His numbers are not that of a truly dominant power hitter in our era. His BA is good but nothing special, he doesn't walk much so his OBP is barely above average.

Jeter doens't have as much power as Tejada but has a better overall offensive skill base. His BA is better, he gets on base a ton more, and also steals a few bases which Tejada doesn't. Jeter is the better offensive player. Tejada just has the eye-catching stats that actually aren't that impressive when you get past the surface.

Tejada is a very good hitter from SS though and I'd take him on my team any day. He's also the classic type hitter overrated by RBI totals.

[hellborn]

Gotta go with Jeter on this one, due to the substantial OBP advantage. I feel obliged to bust on Jeter, but I'd probably be pretty happy with him if he had come up with the Bosox. He could have played a nice 2B to Nomah's SS for a few years...:D
My impression is that Tejada is a significantly better SS, though. Typically has substantially better range factors; haven't looked at their zone ratings, though.
If you just had to have a cleanup guy, I could see going with Tejada over Jeter, but Derek would probably do pretty well batting cleanup in a lineup that had some high OBP guys ahead of him. I do have to admit that my memory attributed more power to Miguel than he really had, my mind must have figured that he'd have a few 40 HR seasons to account for those huge RBI counts.

[ChrisLDuncan]

As any type of player Jeter is better, higher career OPS better runner by a mile. Also Jeter has been leading off and hitting two for most of his career. I'll also say that Jeter has the slicker glove, and a stronger arm.

[538280]

We have a good number of Tejada voters-what exactly is the case for him?

[DoubleX]

We have a good number of Tejada voters-what exactly is the case for him?

It's probably the shiny power numbers. They are hard to ignore.

[hellborn]

It's probably the shiny power numbers. They are hard to ignore.
150 RBI tend to catch your eye...

[KCGHOST]

For an SS Tejada is a stud, but Jeter is better.. Higher RCAA, OPS, and OWP.

[BoSox Rule]

Career isn't close. Here are there EqA's.Year MT DJ
1995 DNP .236*
1996 DNP .283
1997 .207** .283
1998 .244 .310
1999 .260 .337
2000 .283 .313
2001 .277 .305
2002 .298 .293
2003 .283 .301
2004 .306 .290
2005 .305 .307
2006 .308 .324

TOT .286 .304

* 15 G
** 26 G
However, I'd say they are equal as hitters since the beginning of the 2002 season. Tejada's fielding makes him slightly better overall since then.

[538280]

150 RBI tend to catch your eye...

Yes, they do, but you need to look at the contribution that is actually more valuable. RBI are nice but they aren't very reliable. Tejada is a good example of a player overrated by the RBI statistic. Dante Bichette is probably #1 all time on that list, followed by Joe Carter. I've always thought Carter was better than sabmetric people like myself give him credit for, but I don't really think Bichette was.

[hellborn]

Yes, they do, but you need to look at the contribution that is actually more valuable. RBI are nice but they aren't very reliable. Tejada is a good example of a player overrated by the RBI statistic. Dante Bichette is probably #1 all time on that list, followed by Joe Carter.

I agree with you 100%, MOS. You see the 150 RBI and say, "WOW!!!", but you need to keep it from distracting you and keep digging.
Or else you start thinking that guys like Kingman, Dick Stuart, Cecil Fielder, and Hank Sauer were fantastic players who don't get their due. And that Mantle and Mays weren't really that great...

[Rapmaster]

If Jeter hit lower in the order, 100 RBIs wouldn't be absurd at all. Without looking up stats, I think he's done it once before. Tejada is an AL #4 hitter, 130+ seems to be the norm for those guys nowadays. Tejada also looks great because of that 2002 MVP award.

Not knocking on Tejada (sure is better than Ronny C), but he's made a lot of stupid decisions in the field. Despite his 150 RBIs, the Orioles still lose.

[plask_stirlac]

If Jeter hit lower in the order, 100 RBIs wouldn't be absurd at all. Without looking up stats, I think he's done it once before. Tejada is an AL #4 hitter, 130+ seems to be the norm for those guys nowadays.

LOL... that spot is due for quite a few even with mediocre players (who probably wouldn't be there 162 games like Tejada), but 130 is quite high. Since 2003 it has been reached by Delgado, Ortiz, Tejada, Ramirez, Teixeira, Rodriguez, and Morneau only, with varying batting positions.

They're pretty close, with Jeter having his huge year and all.

Jeter got on base better, but Tejada was no slouch (.379 to lead the O's). It pains me but Jeter probably gets the edge for base-stealing. Here's to 50 doubles and 35 HR for Tejada next year!

[IAmSmarterThanYou]

Mario Mendoza might get in there. Hitting wise. He hit OVER the Mendoza line, which is .200. He hit .215!