Best Player Alive?
It’s an old bar argument that we’ve all had - who is the best player in baseball right now? It’s generally been a two horse race for the last couple of years, but we’ve got a new candidate thrusting himself into the discussion:
The best hitter alive is Albert Pujols, and no one really has any chance to claim otherwise. Alex Rodriguez is an inner circle hall of famer, but at 33, he’s a tick behind Prince Albert at the plate and the defensive difference isn’t large enough to close the gap. But now, entering his prime at age 28, Chase Utley is throwing his hat into the ring and demanding to be noticed. He’s absolutely destroying the ball right now, adding tremendous power to a package that already made him the best second baseman in the game.
That kind of offense from a guy who can really play defense at an up-the-middle position is just unbelievably valuable. While most teams are happy to have their second baseman avoid being a black hole at the plate, Utley gives the Phillies a middle of the order star, and that kind of comparative advantage is the main reason that Philadelphia is a playoff contender. Utley may have two teammates with NL MVP awards, but they’re playing in his shadow now.
I do agree that if Utley hadn’t been sidelined last year all the “Wright should have won the MVP last year” would have been for naught.
But Wright isn’t even in your discussion? That seems, um, wrong.
Best Player Alive?
Barry Bonds
I personally don’t think Wright should be in the discussion. And even though Utley has gone nuts this first month, I still think it comes down to A-Rod or Pujols.
Wright is more like Chipper Jones to me (maybe with less power), who incidentally is still batting well over .400.
Well, does alive mean active? Because if it’s just alive then it’s clearly a tie between Mike Bielecki and Jayhawk Owens.
“I personally don’t think Wright should be in the discussion.”
You’re gonna need to clarify that. (Heck, if Chipper could play passable defense wouldn’t he be in the discussion?)
Wouldn’t you take Wright’s next 3-5 years over Pujols’ or Rodriguez’s?
Nope, I wouldn’t.
Wright is an excellent player, but I think it’s still unclear what his ceiling is. Little doubts about Pujols or A-Rod, and while 5 years might be stretching it a bit for A-Rod, Pujols should be fine.
I love David Wright, but no, I don’t think he’s in this discussion. As a good but not great defender at third base, the bar is just a lot higher for him than it is for a premium position guy like Utley. The difference in defense and positional scarcity means that Wright would have to be several steps ahead of Utley with the bat, and I don’t see that being true.
David Wright is a terrific player, but he’s not quite in this class.
Yeah the key for me is the ceiling, as David mentioned. If Wright continues to improve and post even gaudier numbers then he would definitely find himself in this discussion but, for all we know, his numbers from last year might be as good as he gets. Not to say his “as good as it gets” is bad but it is definitely different than, well, 54 HR and 156 RBI. It wouldn’t shock me if he grows into a 38+ HR hitter with improving defense each year, and I agree with Bill James that he would be a top candidate for a guy to build a team around, but if you asked me right now I would go with A-Rod and Pujols, with Utley being close behind due to the position scarcity.
I just want to throw out there, on Pujols behalf, that RZR-wise, he’s the best defensive 1B playing right now. Obviously that’s nothing like being in the top half of defensive 2Bs, but it always puts a smile on my face to remember that, while Pujols could be as bad at 1B as Richie Sexson and still deserve to be in the lineup every single day, Pujols earns his keep in the field as well.
Dave,
I’m greatly enjoying your writing here at fangraphs. Big kudos to both you and the Daily Graphings.
Chase is easily the best baserunner of the three, and is a better defender as well. I think that pushes him over the top for best player alive right now.