January 6, 2006

Could Tejada Replace Manny?

Since "Zenslinger" and I agree on quite a bit regarding The Manny Debate, I don't want this to sound like an attack, but near the end of his comment here, he wrote that Ramirez:
can only be replaced by Tejada, he of the 150 RBIs. Anything less won't do, including the same value spread across several players.
Miguel Tejada is no slouch with the stick, but it's important to remember that Manny Ramirez is many levels above him. He has been so consistent that we sometimes forget how incredible his performances have been, year in and year out.
OPS+ (100 is league avg.)

Manny Tejada

1993 33
1994 124
1995 148
1996 145
1997 143 50
1998 146 78
1999 174 91
2000 185 112
2001 162 112
2002 190 122
2003 160 117
2004 152 126
2005 156 133

Car. 156 112
What else?

Tejada's career-high batting average is .311 -- Manny has topped that 5 times (including .351 and .349).

Tejada's career-high on-base average is .360 -- Manny has topped that 11 times (every year he's been a full-time player).

Tejada's career-high slugging average is .534 -- Manny has topped that 11 times (every year he's been a full-time player).

Tejada's career-high Runs Created is 125 -- Manny has topped that 8 times, tied it once, and had 124 RC in another season.

Tejada career-high OPS is .894 -- Manny has posted an OPS over 1.000 6 times, over .900 11 times; indeed, his career OPS is 1.008.

Based on their career numbers, a team of 9 Mannys would score 9.02 runs a game; 9 Tejadas would score 5.62 runs.

I could go on all night ... but I'll just repeat the OBP and SLG comparisions:

Tejada's career-high on-base average is .360 -- Manny has topped that 11 times (every year he's been a full-time player).

Tejada's career-high slugging average is .534 -- Manny has topped that 11 times (every year he's been a full-time player).


Honestly, it ought to be a crime to say these two guys are anywhere near equals at the plate.

7 comments:

Donald said...

Very thorough comparison, thanks redsock. To be fair, Miguel is definitely a leader and a soldier, but I have always said that a straight up trade would benefit the O's more than us, only we are rather understaffed at shortstop, and since Manny wanted out and Tejada wanted in...
But that's all changed now, so I'm happy we're keeping Manny!

Zenslinger said...

Wow, I would have said Manny was only slightly superior. I stand corrected. Nice to get education.

allan said...

In fairness, I'll post a link to David Gassko's article at The Hardball Times, which, after taking fielding and position into account, says Tejada is better.

DanM said...

Tejada better than Manny because of defense? Paleeze! Lets get a shortstop and get to Florida - Clement included.

The American League East is a tough place to be - and Toronto will learn that anew this summer!

DanM said...

I read this quote in the Herald this morning
" There is no black and white this time of year. Comments from Tejada, Ramirez and the Red Sox front office can’t be taken at face value even if they do wind up becoming reality.
Alex Cora is receiving a lot of love from the Red Sox front office these days. The brain trust has placed the infielder’s on-field smarts above any other’s in the game. "
(Patience preached on Yawkey Way
By Michael Silverman)
I guess that leaves center field and lead-off hitter. So, who is going to lead off (Youk?) Nahhhh

Unknown said...

Guys I apologize, I realize sometimes young kids could read these comments.
have a good season

From the Vined Smithy said...

Whereas Miguel "Trade me! Don't trade me! I never wanted to be traded! Trade me!" Tejada is totally sane? I mean, isn't that pretty much EXACTLY what Manny has done?

Mind you, I'm SURE he's much less of a headcase than Manny, but uh, you know, he's not completely all right and if you're an Orioles fan, his conduct has to be considered pretty bitchy (as does Manny's for Sox fans).

Tejada and a decent outfielder (.275+ avg, average or better defense) for Manny...that would be understandable. Even throw in one of the lesser starting pitchers with Manny and I can still (sort of) understand the rationale (and this is coming from someone who loves Manny). But I don't know about a one-to-one trade. You gain a lot of defense, but you lose one of the best hitters in the game.

And don't all of Manny's assists (especially when he threw out Jeter at the end of last year for the first out of the final game) count for anything? (The previous remark was mostly a joke.)