Poll: Who would you rather have on your team?

[ChaosLex]

It's a battle of the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and the future 2008 AL Rookie of the Year.

Thoughts!?!?!?

[ChaosLex]

lol. I presumed I'd be in the minority.

Make no mistake, this was a very difficult decision for me. In fact, the only reason I chose Pedroia was because he showed no signs of a sophomore slump this season. In that sense, the jury is still out on Longoria.

Did the rest of you choose Longoria simply because you think he has more upside? Or is it because of anti-Red Sux feelings?

[glenn__davis]

lol. I presumed I'd be in the minority.

Make no mistake, this was a very difficult decision for me. In fact, the only reason I chose Pedroia was because he showed no signs of a sophomore slump this season. In that sense, the jury is still out on Longoria.

Did the rest of you choose Longoria simply because you think he has more upside? Or is it because of anti-Red Sux feelings?

Upside, plays a position that's a little more difficult to replace, GG-caliber defense. If he hadn't gotten hurt I think he'd be getting a good deal of buzz for MVP as a rookie.

I tried to put away my anti-Pedroia sentiments for this one, and I think even if I didn't hate him, it wouldn't be a hard decision.

[HeyIt'sMe]

Longoria, by a lot. Once he gets a little more polish, he's going to be an annual 35-40 HR third baseman who also happens to play GG caliber defense at a more important defensive position.

Pedroia is very good, but Longoria is special.

[PaulBako]

I hate to say this, but I would rather have Pedroia. I think he is a better player .

.325 17 79 .377 .494 ,also great defense! Not bad! :eektf:

[HeyIt'sMe]

I hate to say this, but I would rather have Pedroia. I think he is a better player .

.325 17 79 .377 .494 ,also great defense! Not bad! :eektf:

Longoria is OPSing at a .897 clip as a 22 year old rookie and would of had a legit chance at 35 HRs had he not gotten injured, despite missing the first two weeks of the season due to being sent down. He's also a GG caliber defender at 3B.

Again, Pedroia is excellent, but I think Longoria has the chance to be an all-timer at 3B.

[blueberryale77]

Longoria' date=' by a lot. Once he gets a little more polish, he's going to be an annual 35-40 HR third baseman who also happens to play GG caliber defense at a more important defensive position.

Pedroia is very good, but Longoria is special.[/quote']

3B hasn't been more important than 2B in professional baseball since well before most people who know how to use the internet were born. 3B may need a stronger arm, but you can get away with pretty limited mobility, touch the ball much less frequently, and your body takes much less of a beating since you don't turn DPs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_spectrum

Longoria is probably the better overall player than Pedroia because I think his success will be more sustainable, but similar offense is more valuable at 2B than 3B (assuming both players are solid at their positions).

[Ralph]

I'm going with Longoria simply because I don't think Pedroia will sustain the HR power he is showing this season over his entire career. He'll still be an awsome player but not as good as Longoria.

[Big Mac]

Longoria, and it isn't really close for me.

Longoria is one of the best players in the league at 22 years old. He's a good bet to have multiple 40+ HR seasons, and is incredible at 3rd base. I think that if hehadn't gotten hurt, he might be in the MVP discussion.

If I had to pick one position player to build my team around, it would probably be Evan Longoria.

[Malike]

I went with Longoria for the upside, and overall I think he's a better player. I have a soft spot for any 20 something that's already sporting the horse shoe on top of his head though, and nearly voted for Pedroia for that reason alone.

[Remember The Alomar]

3B hasn't been more important than 2B in professional baseball since well before most people who know how to use the internet were born. 3B may need a stronger arm, but you can get away with pretty limited mobility, touch the ball much less frequently, and your body takes much less of a beating since you don't turn DPs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_spectrum

Longoria is probably the better overall player than Pedroia because I think his success will be more sustainable, but similar offense is more valuable at 2B than 3B (assuming both players are solid at their positions).

That was snarky. I actually remember reading recently that 2nd base actually ranked behind third base and center field (I believe it was from Bill James site but I don't remember where).

Well as for the question, both have an RC/27 of 7.08 (what are the chances of that?), both play great defense, and both are young. I guess I take Longoria solely based on upside.

[TyCobb]

Is this a joke? Pedloser has an OPS+ of 123 at the age of 24. Longoria has an OPS+ of 136 at the age of 22. It isn't even close.

[whatdoiget000]

That was snarky. I actually remember reading recently that 2nd base actually ranked behind third base and center field (I believe it was from Bill James site but I don't remember where).

Well as for the question, both have an RC/27 of 7.08 (what are the chances of that?), both play great defense, and both are young. I guess I take Longoria solely based on upside.

They're only tied because of Longoria's DL time

[mweb]

Is this a joke? Pedloser has an OPS+ of 123 at the age of 24. Longoria has an OPS+ of 136 at the age of 22. It isn't even close.

Well you have to consider that 3B is more of a power position than 2B.

It's close, but I'd go with Longoria due to his defense and higher upside.

[mweb]

They're only tied because of Longoria's DL time

That stat is a rate stat, has nothing to do with games played.