The American League East is generally considered the best division in baseball. The sheer number of wins on the part of its teams bear that out.
In 2011, it will boast two power-packed infields that will add an intriguing element to the top rivalry in the sport. New York’s quartet — which features a three-time Most Valuable Player Award winner, two players with home run and RBI crowns and Gold Gloves galore — is as impressive as any in the club’s storied history.
Boston’s newly minted grouping has an MVP of its own, a versatile third baseman who annually ranks among the OPS leaders and a first baseman who may wind up with the best numbers between all eight infielders on the two teams. The question is, how does the Red Sox’ infield compare to the Yankees’?
One way to go about such a comparison is position-by-position, but that opens up four new arguments that could be debated until the cows come home. What is clear is that in terms of career accomplishments, the Yankees cannot be touched. It’s just fact.
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, that multi-MVP man, and shortstop Derek Jeter, who figures to reach 3,000 hits next year, represent among the most decorated (and costly) left side of an infield, typically seen in All-Star games. First baseman Mark Teixeira owns four Gold Gloves and won a home run and RBI crown in his first season in New York. Second baseman Robinson Cano doesn’t have the hardware yet, aside from a Gold Glove, but he is the best of the bunch right now.
However, Cano’s relative youth (28) makes him the oddball in the Yanks’ infield. Each of the other three are in their 30s, with an average age of nearly 34, and are locked up as a group until at least 2013, when Jeter may be done. They will be making gobs of cash deep into the twilight of their careers. All three had statistical declines in 2010 and the corner guys played banged-up throughout the season.
Therein lies the biggest difference between the two groups, and what gives the Sox a little something to smile about.
In second baseman Dustin Pedroia and third baseman Kevin Youkilis, Boston has two All-Stars who are locked into contracts that provide incredible value to the team and will continue to do so for at least two more years, when Youkilis’ deal expires (there is a club option for 2013; Pedroia is signed through 2014 with a club option for 2015). New first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will get an extension for seven years at a reported $154 million, but that is considered less than what he would’ve received on the open market in one year. In addition, he makes just $6 million in his first year in Boston, an absolute steal for at least a year if he produces like everyone figures he will at Fenway.
Marco Scutaro will make just $5 million in 2011 and we all know he is simply keeping the seat warm for hot prospect Jose Iglesias.
Given all that, it’s clear that the future of the Red Sox’ infield is filled with certainty, safety and quality. It simply needs Youkilis to rediscover his footing, Gonzalez to settle in, Iglesias to make the leap and Pedroia to keep on being Pedroia. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ infield, while currently the better collection overall and likely possessing more surefire Hall of Famers, could be a hindrance down the road.
How does the Red Sox’ infield compare to the Yankees’? Leave your comments below.
