Third Basemen: Fact Or Fiction
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:50 am
Third base has a lot of interesting characters to look at for 2009 in our continuing Fact or Fiction series. It starts with A-Rod himself, who recently admitted using steroids for three seasons and who will endure a barrage of criticism from fans and media every time he steps out on the field. It's a loaded position in more ways than one.
Anyway, here's a look at a few third basemen to look at as we compare last year's performances to this year's predictions. Was 2008 for each of these players Fact or Fiction? Feel free to add your comments and even add some players from this position. Here we go:
Evan Longoria: Longoria lived up to his pre-season hype even though he started the season at Triple-A. He won the Rookie of the Year honors by hitting .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs in 122 games. He posted a solid .343 OBP and hit .293 on the road with less power and .253-18-55 at home. He even converted all seven of his SBs. He's the real deal and is capable of topping 30 HRs and 100 RBIs during his sophomore season. I don't see a sophomore jinx coming as 2008 was a FACT season.
Chipper Jones: Chipper makes this list because after 14 MLB seasons he finally won his first batting title, which has given him a lot of fantasy love this offseason. He led the NL with a .364 average and also led with a .470 on-base percentage. He also topped 20 HRs for the 14th straight season, but his 75 RBIs were a bit disappointing. The scary thing is the number of injuries that Chipper has each year. He hasn't played a full season since 2003 and he's averaged just 124 games per season over the last five years with 2008 consisting of 128 games. He will turn 37 one month into the 2009 season, which has me leery. He still has value, but for my money I'm going with the younger players.
Chone Figgins: Figgins was so banged up last year that he played in only 116 games, the second straight injury-riddled season for the scrappy little third baseman. He landed on the DL in May wiht a hamstring injury and then battled knee, toe and elbow injuries in the second half. He hit just .267 but still finished with 72 runs and 34 SBs. Folks may be afraid of his past injury problems, but to me that means you get to buy low and hopefully can cash out high. I love him at the top of this powerful lineup and the addition of Bobby Abreu will help Figgins even more. Even though he just qualifies at 3B right now, I'm buying this one whenever I can.
Ryan Zimmerman: Speaking of injuries, here's Zimmerman. He battled shoulder and hand injuries last year and saw action in just 106 games after playing in all 162 games the year before. He came off the DL in July and hit .306-6-24 after that. I know a lot of folks are down on him, but with Adam Dunn possibly hitting behind him, I think this kid has a lot of upside. He should be completely healthy to start the year and I see too much upside to ignore. Flush last year away and take a shot on Zimmerman in 2009.
Alex Gordon: Gordon's numbers last year were slightly better than his rookie campaign, but he didn't take any quantum leaps like we had expected. He hit .260 with a .351 OBP and did hit .277 after the All-Star break, but with far less power than the first half. Some of that can be explained by a torn hip flexor, which landed him on the DL after the All-Star break. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts (120 last year), but at just 25 I still see the potential for 20 HRs and 15 SBs this year. He's still going overvalued based on his potential – especially at a relatively deep position – but if he comes on the cheap expect .265-20-75-15. That would be a great third season for Gordon.
Anyway, here's a look at a few third basemen to look at as we compare last year's performances to this year's predictions. Was 2008 for each of these players Fact or Fiction? Feel free to add your comments and even add some players from this position. Here we go:
Evan Longoria: Longoria lived up to his pre-season hype even though he started the season at Triple-A. He won the Rookie of the Year honors by hitting .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs in 122 games. He posted a solid .343 OBP and hit .293 on the road with less power and .253-18-55 at home. He even converted all seven of his SBs. He's the real deal and is capable of topping 30 HRs and 100 RBIs during his sophomore season. I don't see a sophomore jinx coming as 2008 was a FACT season.
Chipper Jones: Chipper makes this list because after 14 MLB seasons he finally won his first batting title, which has given him a lot of fantasy love this offseason. He led the NL with a .364 average and also led with a .470 on-base percentage. He also topped 20 HRs for the 14th straight season, but his 75 RBIs were a bit disappointing. The scary thing is the number of injuries that Chipper has each year. He hasn't played a full season since 2003 and he's averaged just 124 games per season over the last five years with 2008 consisting of 128 games. He will turn 37 one month into the 2009 season, which has me leery. He still has value, but for my money I'm going with the younger players.
Chone Figgins: Figgins was so banged up last year that he played in only 116 games, the second straight injury-riddled season for the scrappy little third baseman. He landed on the DL in May wiht a hamstring injury and then battled knee, toe and elbow injuries in the second half. He hit just .267 but still finished with 72 runs and 34 SBs. Folks may be afraid of his past injury problems, but to me that means you get to buy low and hopefully can cash out high. I love him at the top of this powerful lineup and the addition of Bobby Abreu will help Figgins even more. Even though he just qualifies at 3B right now, I'm buying this one whenever I can.
Ryan Zimmerman: Speaking of injuries, here's Zimmerman. He battled shoulder and hand injuries last year and saw action in just 106 games after playing in all 162 games the year before. He came off the DL in July and hit .306-6-24 after that. I know a lot of folks are down on him, but with Adam Dunn possibly hitting behind him, I think this kid has a lot of upside. He should be completely healthy to start the year and I see too much upside to ignore. Flush last year away and take a shot on Zimmerman in 2009.
Alex Gordon: Gordon's numbers last year were slightly better than his rookie campaign, but he didn't take any quantum leaps like we had expected. He hit .260 with a .351 OBP and did hit .277 after the All-Star break, but with far less power than the first half. Some of that can be explained by a torn hip flexor, which landed him on the DL after the All-Star break. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts (120 last year), but at just 25 I still see the potential for 20 HRs and 15 SBs this year. He's still going overvalued based on his potential – especially at a relatively deep position – but if he comes on the cheap expect .265-20-75-15. That would be a great third season for Gordon.
