Top Ten Third Basemen Right Now/Greatest Westerns

That's three times, Bombers, you've refused to accept my opinion after whining about my not "accepting" opinions. Consistency obviously isn't your strong point.

And there's no rule saying four years is the magic number for evaluating players. Your saying so is ridiculous. This poll was about who's the best third baseman right now, not who has been the best. So if you're going to bring the past 4 years into the equation, it is perfectly appropriate--and more accurate--to bring in the last 7 years. Also, read my posts better. I didn't say Beltre has declined; I said he is 36 and will decline, and he will. That being said, even though he only played 13 less games, he hit 12 less home runs. So, his decline has begun.

Well said LM, i think l.stretcher is maybe just really hung up on Beltre's impending decline, which we can all agree is going to happen, but in his case hasn't happened yet. He's probably a bit of an anomaly there as most guys his age are noticeably on the decline. Maybe he just hasn't been caught yet on PED's or he's just one of those guys who just keeps on playing at a high level. But for right here, right now, he's still a cut above Longoria in my book for sure...

Anything done over 4 years ago hardly relates to who is the better player today. It is hard to believe that is what you are basing your opinion on. Both players saw their power drop by about 1/3 last year. However Longoria's BA has been dropping. He hasn't hit above .269 the past 4 years. Beltre just posted the 2nd highest BA of his career last year. I'm not sure where you are seeing his decline.

You may be saying that Longo would be the better choice for the next 4-5 years because of the difference in age. I can't argue with that. However the best right now? That can't be justified by the stats.

Well said LM, i think l.stretcher is maybe just really hung up on Beltre's impending decline, which we can all agree is going to happen, but in his case hasn't happened yet.

I'm not hung up on anything, Twitman; I'm just stating a clear fact. Beltre is 36 and will not be the 3bman he was before. As I showed above, his power has already started declining, as he hit 12 less hrs last year while only missing 13 games. Also Beltre fell to 9th in range factor last year and had a -o.2 defensive war. So, his defense has already started declining as well. For someone who talks a lot about stats, you don't really pay attention to them.

So, the younger age-improving Longoria clearly has more power and more range than the declining Beltre and is a better third baseman. Maybe you should start a best declining third baseman poll. Beltre would definitely deserve the top spot there...

Beltre's defensive war last year was 1.4. Longoria's was -0.1.

Beltre's stats are still better right even if he is on the decline... a declining Beltre is better than a Longoria who apparently hit his peak back in 2009-2010 and has been in steady decline since then. And Longoria falling off the table in production in the last few years is set at a way lower bar than Beltre's.

Wishing you the best in all your baseballing endeavours and how bout joining a Franchise based theme league I'm trying to get going... You can even pick up Longoria in FA if you like.

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Well said LM, i think l.stretcher is maybe just really hung up on Beltre's impending decline, which we can all agree is going to happen, but in his case hasn't happened yet.

I'm not hung up on anything, Twitman; I'm just stating a clear fact. Beltre is 36 and will not be the 3bman he was before. As I showed above, his power has already started declining, as he hit 12 less hrs last year while only missing 13 games. Also Beltre fell to 9th in range factor last year and had a -o.2 defensive war. So, his defense has already started declining as well. For someone who talks a lot about stats, you don't really pay attention to them.

So, the younger age-improving Longoria clearly has more power and more range than the declining Beltre and is a better third baseman. Maybe you should start a best declining third baseman poll. Beltre would definitely deserve the top spot there...

Beltre's defensive war last year was 1.4. Longoria's was -0.1.

Thanks for the correction. I accidentally pulled up his 2013 stats. However, I was absolutely correct that Beltre is aging, has been tested for PED's and is physically declining. If someone makes an argument against players declining at 36, I'd love to hear it.

Beltre's stats are still better right even if he is on the decline... a declining Beltre is better than a Longoria who apparently hit his peak back in 2009-2010 and has been in steady decline since then. And Longoria falling off the table in production in the last few years is set at a way lower bar than Beltre's.

That's fine. I won't disagree that Beltre's stats were better last year. He's also one of the greatest 3bman ever. However, this is not the best statistics for a third baseman poll; it is the "Best 3bman right now" poll. And considering Beltre's drastic drop in power last year, and his age necessitating a continual decline in production, Longoria is the superior 3bman right now. His off year last year doesn't change that; he is 29 and will just get better.

Thanks for your invitation. However, I'm a Giants fan, and the Giants cards are so bad this year, I'd have no chance at all.

So Beltre's power drop of 11 home runs last year is a factor but Longorias drop of 10 with more ab's isn't?

Right now Beltre has better offense and better defense. Both Steamer & Zips projections have Beltre projected with better stats in 2015 in all offensive rate stat (avg/ob/slg/wOBA/wRC+) with Steamer projected Longoria with better defense while Zips projects Beltre as better.

Your opinion is valid. Believe whatever you want but I'm more inclined to agree with the professionals and think that Beltre will be better than Longoria this year.

God this stuff makes me laugh

Arguing "right" and "wrong" about opinions, absurd.

No mater who uses which stats to defend their positions, it's all just opinions, where there is no "right" or "wrong" just agree or disagree, but carry on, I't amusing watching all of you get so lathered up.

If you see debating about opinions absurd, Niners, you probably shouldn't debate on the Forum yourself. Nobody got all "lathered up" on this thread. I have, however, seen you do so, yourself:

NO ONE has ever had a compelling or logical argument why that is a problem and none of the rest is. The only real reason ever given is
We just don't want it.

Absolutely MIND BOGGLING.

Now that was getting all "lathered up."...