MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2013: Thirdbase

               Third base didn’t have a triple crown winner this year but Cabrera only took a small step back. His homers stayed the same with 44. He lost 14 doubles from 40 to 26. He was hurt and lost 67 at-bats from the year before. Evan Longoria got healthy and had another great year though his defense seemed to suffer. His 32 homer, 2 triples, 39 2B helped carry the Rays to the playoffs. “The Bull” Pedro Alverez showed he was no fluke with 30 homers in 2012 when he hit 36 this past year. Manny Machado developed offensively. Many of us are hoping some of his 51 doubles turn into homers but this year interesting. David Wright is still a fantastic all-around player. Mets fans may describe him different than his stats define him but he is still great.

               It is nice to see a few different options for power at third base this year. Of course Miguel Cabrera is going to be likely the second pick in every draft. His 11 speed C(10) with 18-20 HR, 17 2B with 3B+2 for 620 points. He will less susceptible to late game situations when people bring in 6 controls than Chris Davis will be. I don’t like Beltre and Dolandson for these teams. I would rather see a point saver like Evan Longoria here as a 8 speed B(16) 17-20 HR, 14-16 2B with 3B+2 for 350 points. There are two chances to roll the dice with low on-base players. Donnie Murphy is a prorated monster as a 6 speed B(15), 15-20 HR, 13- 14 2B for 220 points. The more risky option is Pedro Alvarez as a 5 speed B(14), 13-20 HR, 10-12 2B with 3B+0 220 points. He is more valuable in a league of 8 or more.

               The Pingers have a similar situation as shortstop. Aramis Ramirez is the 9 speed C(9) with 20 HR, 18-19 2B for 240 points with 3B+2. The 8 option is Chase Headley as an 8 speed B(16), 19-20 HR, 16-18 2B with 3B+2 for 250 points. Moneyball players are going to have to stretch a bit. Cabrera is a stretch. Ramirez is a great pick. After that Donaldson and Beltre are the stretch picks. Bother are 10 speed B (15 and 13) respectively). Both have 19-20 HR and 3B+1. Beltre has 17-18 2B while Donaldson has 16-18 2B. Beltre is 460 and Donaldson 470.

               Smallballers only have a handful of options. David Wright is a great 3-4 hitter for those line-ups as a 10 speed A(20) with 20 HR, 19 3B, 18 2B, 17 1B+ with 3B+3 for 450 points. He does a little of everything. He won’t go till rounds 4-5 as the other big third basemen are more sought after. Beltre and Donaldson both don’t single till 10 so that is a stretch. Cabrera will be walked or walk himself behind steals so he doesn’t work. Kyle Seager is a good late pick if you miss Wright. He is an 8 speed A(18) with 19-20 HR, 16-18 2B, 15 1B+ with 3B+1 for 290 points.

               Bench players are a not super useful from this position. Cody Ransom is a 10 pointer as a 5 speed C(10) with 20 HR. Placido Polanco is 40 points for a 6 speed C(12) for 40 points with 19-20 2B and 3B+3. Mike Moustakas is a 5 for 20 points as a speed B(14). Lonnie Chisenhall is a 90 point 5 speed B(14) with 18-20 HR. Matt Dominguez is also a 5 18-20 HR as a speed C(12).