Carlos Delgado vs Mark Teixeira

[Sockeye]

Who will go down as the better player?

[Colorado Express]

Big Tex still has several monster years stored up in that bat...I llok for him to be recognized as one of the best at his position during his era once he retires.

[natsnsoxfan]

Texeira is also a Gold Glove defender at first base, where Delgado is nowhere near that. No question about it, Tex.

[Craig S.]

Teixeira could far surpass what Delgado has done, but that's assuming he stays healthy through his prime years. If that happens, then I don't think this one will even be close.

[Sockeye]

I thought this would be an interesting matchup between two players at the same position. A matchup of for the most part what already has been verses what will be.

On the one hand we have Delgado who's getting towards the backside of his career and his career numbers are quite impressive. For the most part I believe his best days are behind him. Still he is able to put up excellent numbers but we likely have probably already seen his best 5 seasons.

On the other hand we have a young superstar caliber player in Teixeira. Has already produced big numbers in his first 4 seasons and is just now entering his prime. How much better will his numbers get and how many great seasons will he produce?

There is already talk of Delgado's HOF credentials and a few more solid seasons should all seal the deal. To say that Teixeira will go down as a better player than Delgado is really saying something about his future.

[natsnsoxfan]

Of course Teixeira's numbers are also inflated a bit because he plays in the bandbox that is Arlington but hes still a great hitter and gloveman.

[willshad]

I dont see how Teixera is so far ahead..this is like comparing Miguel Cabrera to Manny Ramirez. Mark hasnt had a year as good as Delgado's best yet, and Carlos has better rate stats, to go along with about 8 more very good seasons. Basically Delgado is what Texeira wil become in a best case sceniero. I can only assume the people who voted for him will think he will continue to improve the next few years, and take it to another level.

[KCGHOST]

Roughly speaking in half the time Teixeira has had half the productivity DelGado has had. That mean's Tex must have another very good eight years. The odds are somewhat against that.

[philkid3]

I'm not sold on Teixeira having as good a post-28 career as Delgado. At 28, Delgado had a season with a .355 EqA, which blows Teixeira's best season away. With Teixiera in his prime and Delgado still playing at 36, Delgado still has the career edge, and had nine straight years of an EqA of at least .299, including four of better than .320. And he was close this year, with a .296. Teixeira's beaten .300 three times.

So Delgado had a 9 year run of having seasons about as good as Teixeira's average at worst and several as good or better than his best. I also think Delgado's defense is underrated. He was +1 as recently as last year, and a +9 in 2004 led the league. TotalZone has him as being at least a positive in the field five times and only a couple times being very bad. Certainly his defense is not at Teixeira's level, but they're also first baseman, and with Delgado's not even being bad, the defensive advantage for Teixeira is pretty small, he's going to have to be close to as good offensively as Delgado to have the better career.

He can do it, that's no stretch at all. But my money would be against it.

[PVNICK]

I would have went for Delgado becuase he's had Tex's best season about three times already. However, Delgado became a regular a year later so I banked on Teixeira surpassing him in counting numbers.

[NYMets523]

I will say Delgado because he accomplished more at Teixeira's age than Teixeira has.

[Imgran]

Not really an apples to apples comparison. Right now I go with Delgado because there's a possibility Teixeira might go the way of Garciaparra.

[Berkman#17]

He'll marry a soccer player?

Anyways, I'm gonna go with Delgado, for the same reasons that have been stated above.

[stejay]

Teixeira. I would love to see him at the Yankees next season. I think he will then become an elite MLB player then, and improve the Yankees in the process.

[plask_stirlac]

Roughly even but 2000 is the clincher for Delgado. He was also overlooked while with Florida.

Now if Tex barrages us with another 2005 and 2008 then nevermind.

[Yankee Mystique]

Delgado also spent most of his career in 2 pitcher ballparks: Shea Stadium and Dolphin Stadium or whatever its called these days. His career numbers could have been much higher playing in Texas right after his days with Toronto.