2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

[HatTrick]

Just curious what you guys think...

We all know A-Rod is the best shortstop in baseball by a wide margin, but how about second best?

It seems to me that lately Miguel Tejada has cemented his status as the second best in the game. Forget all this talk about Jeter and Garciaparra. Tejada has capably filled the void left by Giambi's departute. He's a very good defender, and his game-winning hits in the last two games (not to mention other big hits earlier this season) have shown that he steps up big in the clutch. Not only that, but you get the feeling that he WANTS to be up there with the game on the line.

Jeter's a good leader, but I can't help but feel like he's overrated. He really didn't deserve to be in the All-Star game this year, and his numbers don't compare to the other guys. I know he's got the rings, but then again, so does Scott Brosius. Soriano impresses me much more than he does.

Garciaparra doesn't seem to be quite the same anymore. I don't know if he still has lingering injuries, but I'd rank him a solid third, his batting titles notwithstanding. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player, but I feel like from here on out he's more likely to be holding Jeter off for third best than challenging for second.

If Tejada's not the MVP this year (with Torii Hunter a close second), I'll have to believe that the voters don't understand what the MVP award is all about (but then again, they didn't really last year when they gave it to Ichiro, who was arguably not even the most valuable player on his own team).

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Sorry but I'd have to disagree about Jeter, the man means more to the Yankees than any other player in the majors means to their team. This pic says it all.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

AMEN....I'd go as far as to say Jeter is the BEST SS in the game. Maybe not by stats, which he puts up damn good ones, but just his worth to the team.

[Heelfan71]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

I don't think Arod better by a wide margarin.

AROD
Jeter
Garciapara
Tejeda

[brendanrfoley]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

I agree that Jeter means very, very much to the Yankees. I leader, motivator, and all that goobly gook.

But based on on field talent, Jeter is easily less of a player - less talented physically - than Alex Rodriguez.

On top of that, Jeter doesn't put up thesame offensive numbers as Garciaparra or Tejada.

Defensively, Jeter is average. Now mind you, you makes some spectacular plays, but I'm talking day in day out, he's not solid when it comes to the routine. Last season he lead AL SS in errors, and if you read Rob Neyer's breakdown of him statistically, he doesn't make as many plays as Garciparra, Vizquel, or Rodriguez.

Is Jeter a damn good player? Yes.

But I can't help but think that if Tejada had the NY PR behind him and Jeter was an A, this argument would certainly be a little different.

My Ranking:

Alex Rodriguez - Best player in the game as well.

Nomar Garciaparra - Still recovering from wrist surgery, but starting to show flashes of old self.

Miguel Tejada - If he keeps it up, he'll be as good if not better than Garciaparra. I'm just looking for him to put up in the playoffs, as Nomar has, and to maintain his level for three or so seasons.

Derek Jeter - Means everything to the Yankees as a leader. An All Star, certainly, but not more talented than those above him.

[Gizmo]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

I would also have the say Jeter. Yeah, ARod puts up MVP numbers, but he can't lead his whole team like Jeter does. Arod is a good player, but doesn't have what it takes to take the Rangers to the World Series. On the other hand, Jeter's numbers are nothing compared to Arod, but he gets the job done for the Yankees.

As Garciapara, he's been hacked by injuries, so I can't really rank him. Tejada needs to show off his talents in order to be a better player. And I think he will get that chance, if the A's make it to the World Series. If he can show that he is one of the top short stops, then people view him as a different. I think he's underrated.

[BernieWilliams51]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Okay, we all now A-Rod is the best SS in baseball,but I'd have to go with Jeter as 2nd best. Hat trick, i disagree with u that Tejada is a good defensive SS. He has 19 errors. Jeter has 12 (i know that's not much of a difference but jeter is coming off of a leg injury last year so he's still regaining his range). I think Jeter is the most intelligent baseball player. He always knows the count, how many outs, who's on base, what the score is, he knows where to throw the ball, and definitely where to be on the field. He lays down timely bunts (can Tejada do that, or even Nomar). I know he's not the best offensive player but he's admitted himself that he's not a hr hitter.

Those who follow the Yankees know that he's much stronger since 1995 and '96, but he still doesn't want to get away from his game, which is hitting singles and getting on base -- which is what a #2 / leadoff hitter is supposed to do. I cant say enough about him, he scores 100 runs a year, steals between 20 and 30 bases a year, gets on-base enough, and is clutch in the playoffs. Jeter is, in my mind, the second-best shortstop in baseball.

[FatPitcher]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Jeter just happens to play on a good team; the Yankees' pitching is what really makes them good, and even on offense Jeter doesn't contribute as much as Giambi, Soriano, and Williams.

A-rod is the greatest shortstop ever to play to the game.
I'd take either Garciaparra or Tejada over Jeter, too.

[Will]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Of course ARod can't lead the Rangers to a series. Have you seen the crap around him?

ARod is by far the ebst shortstop in the game. Not even a debate there.

Second best is a little more hazy. I think a lot of people are jumping on the Tejada bandwagon as of late. He's very good, but better than Nomar? Not yet.

Jeter falls in a distant fourth. Probably the most overrated guy in the game, in my opinion. What's really ironic about that play against the A's is that the A's guy, Giambi I think it was, was safe. The ONLY reason he was called out was because it was a good play by Jeter. Happens all the time in the pros. Make a good play, and you have A LOT more leeway for getting the out.

Granted, it was still a good play, but let's not give the guy too much credit considering the runner wasn't even out.

And don't get me wrong, I don't hate Jeter or the Yanks. I'm actually a pretty big fan of the Yanks when it comes to certain things. These are just my opinions.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Okay Will whatever you come on here and say Jeter is the most over-rated player in baseball, and you say you don't hate the yankees or jeter. Puuulllleeeaaasssseeee!!!

you are a Diamondback or Braves fanboy it's so obvious

I'm totally kidding sorry about that, but this whole post of mine here is just a joke

[cookusu]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Do you guys honestly think that Jeter would even be considered as the top SS if he didn't play for the Yankees?

AROD's numbers dwarf Jeter's. Don't get me wrong he is a very good player but if he Was playing in Montreal or Cincy, no one would be talking about him as comparable to AROD.

[BaseballGuru]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

... but on a similar note, Jeter might be the main player of said offense in a place like Montreal or Cincy... more opportunities to drive in runs, get big hits, etc....

He's in a unique position with the Yankees where he isn't counted on for the huge offensive numbers. Nobody can really say what he would be doing in a different situation because he hasn't been put in that situation.

[BaseballGuru]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

and besides, everyone know Rafael Furcal is the best shortstop in baseball... at least for this year. Next year he'll be the best second baseman in baseball when Wilson Betemit moves up from AAA to become the best shortstop in baseball.

[keRplunK]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

Okay i think MOST people understand how overrated Jeter is but heres some stats just to prove he is a distant 4th
Arod: .316 48 121 .403(obp)
Nomar: .309 21 107 .349(obp)
Tejada: .311 30 116 .353(obp)
Jeter: .301 16 66 .376(obp) 30sbs
Now after seeing these numbers you can tell jeter is a outstanding player but better then those 3????? please if any of them played in ny we would be talking about how they were just plain "winners" Arod is the best player in the game, Nomar and Tejada can just flat out rake, and jeter is a great 2 hole hitter who is a great hitter but helps the team in other ways, IMO it probably goes Arod, pratically a tie between Tejada and Nomar and a distant forth Jeter...not to mention they are all superior players when it comes to defense. Jeter is a great player but is WAY overrated and is surronded by great players and the NY hype machine.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Re: 2nd Best Shortstop in Baseball?

I guess Jeter is the Trent Dilfer of baseball, he gets no love.