Red Sox vs the AL East: third basemen
Sep 16, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Chase Headley, Yankees
Headley’s career appeared to be spiraling downward before a midseason trade to the Yankees last season. Before the trade, he was slashing a meager .229/.296/.355 just a year after hitting .250/.347/.400, a far cry from 2012’s .286/.376/.498 which netted him a fifth-place finish in MVP voting. However, once he joined the Yankees, he rebounded in a big way as he hit .262/.371/.398, hitting well enough to earn a 4 year/$52M deal to remain in New York. Now 30 years old, Headley will be a candidate to post solid numbers offensively, plus excellent defense at the hot corner, in his first experience in a hitter-friendly stadium. He could be a very good player but there are just too many questions regarding his future performance and too many good third basemen in this division to place him better than fifth.
Nov 25, 2014; Boston, Ma, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval talks with the media during his introductory press conference at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox
Once again, this ranking has more to do with the strength of third basemen in the division than it does with Sandoval’s skill. After all, the Red Sox are counting on a middle-of-the-order bat after signing Sandoval to a 5 year/$95M contract this offseason. At the very least, he’ll provide the team with both a consistent and reliable bat (he slashed .279/.324/.415 with the Giants last season) and glove. Plus, like Headley, Sandoval’s offense could very well improve given that he is moving from a pitchers’ park to a significantly more hitter-friendly park for the first time in his career. In fact, Fenway Park is an ideal stadium for Sandoval and, with their sizable financial commitment, the Red Sox will be banking on Sandoval improving and their faith ought to be well-placed.
Jul 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) throws over to first base to get out Los Angeles Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick (not shown) in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Angels 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Manny Machado, Orioles
Machado barely edges Sandoval in these ranking, but he sits third on the list because of two factors: his youth and his elite defense. Just 22 years old, Machado is one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball and his bat packs some punch as well. While Machado only played 82 games in an injury-riddled 2014 season, he made some strides with the bat and slashed .278/.324/.431 with 12 home runs. Machado bumped his walk rate from 4.1% in 2013 to a more respectable 5.6% last season and maintained an isolated power around the .150 mark. Given his remarkable youth and poise beyond his age, it’s easy to see Machado improving even more next season and we could see a legitimate breakout season from the young third baseman.
Sep 25, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Evan Longoria, Rays
Longoria had a mysterious down year last season, with his .253/.320/.404 slash line a far cry from his career line of .271/.351/.494 in an unusual 2014 season. And while his minor drop in batting average can be attributed to a 16-point BABIP drop, there’s no reasonable explanation for the disappearance of his power. With a career isolated power of .223, that mark dropped down to .151 last season despite Longoria being in his prime age and dealing with no apparent injuries (he played all 162 games last season). Longoria is still only 29 years old, though, and with an increase of power could return to form as one of the best third basemen in baseball, with his huge ceiling pushing him up to second on this list.
Sep 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) reacts as he round third base on the three-run home run by designated hitter Brandon Moss (37) against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
Among the best third basemen in baseball across the past two seasons, Donaldson was dealt to Toronto in a questionable deal this winter. Despite giving up no elite players or top prospects, the Blue Jays have added Donaldson, coming off a .255/.342/.456 season with the A’s. Donaldson will bring another big power bat to Toronto’s lineup, also giving them elite defense at the hot corner, who is actually coming off a 2014 season in which he was fairly unlucky. His .278 BABIP last season was well below his career mark of .299 and a corresponding increase in his batting average could put him over the top next season. Oakland GM Billy Beane doesn’t make many mistakes, but barring a rapid decline from the 29-year old Donaldson, the Blue Jays got a steal with this trade.