I agree. but I also think Beltran's leg injuries have really really hurt him in every aspect of his game. IF he can get over them, I think he'll be good again. If he plans on doing this every year (as many speedy/power guys have done until they just stopped running much), I think he's demoted from his star status.
Completely inane list, no surprise here. Jason Bay ahead of both Oswalt and Berkman. Derek Jeter ahead of both Oswalt and Berkman. David Wright ranked as the 2nd most valuable player in the major leagues. Brian McCann at #40. Ben Sheets drastically underrated at #44. This is a joke of an article.
Did you read it? It's partly about production at age, statistical comparisons, and injury history. Sheets has had a lot of injury concerns the last few years. Wright is doing some incredible things at this young an age, and probably has a number of years ahead of him.
He has a gold glove, 4 world series rings and more hits than just about anyone in the last 10 years. He made one of the most famous plays in baseball history, which probably bumped him up at least a few spots. He is a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. What's not to like? It isn't like he was top 5 with A-Rod, he was the third ranked SS (4th if you count A-Rod).
Bay is the most underrated player in baseball. I'm sure you hardly ever watch the Pirates play so you couldn't understand the importance he has to this team and how better his power numbers could be if he played on a better team. He is the complete package. While he may not be better than Berkman, I will still take the guy putting up similar numbers making $1 million a year over the guy making $15 million.
You apparently didn't read the article either. It is mainly about what the player provides NOW and what he will likely provide in the FUTURE. Past accomplishements mean nothing to these guys, which is why an 18 year old made the top 25. To me, Jeter's best years are likely behind him, and on top of that he is a poor defensive player. The leadership thing I get, but I don't think that should be enough to put him above many of the players underneath him.
I did read the article. Jeter is not even the oldest guy on there. Do you really think he will have a big drop off in production in the next few years? He is in his prime. They are basically looking at the next six years, if I understand it correctly, and the guys who are great prospects but not ready to contribute yet are probably going to provide the same benefit as the guys that are in their prime now but will start to tail off in a few years. I don't know how you can call Jeter a poor defensive player, he just won back to back Gold Gloves at shortstop. The Gold Glove isn't determined by fan vote. I don't think they give it to poor defensive players very often. That is why they called him one of the most well rounded players, offense, defense, and intangibles. Do you really think he will be less valuable than Berkman over the next 6 years? Maybe you think Berkman is a more valuable defender than Jeter?
He's the worst defensive starting SS in MLB. Using the Gold Glove - easily the biggest joke of an award in pro sports - as evidence of his fielding prowess is hilarious.
Jeter is the worst defensive shortstop in the major leagues. He's a solid #2 hitter, nothing too special. His "intangibles" are just that. Nothing real, just media hype. He's the most overrated player in baseball. Berkman is an elite slugger, probably among the top 2-3 in the majors.
