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April 01, 2008
"Mad Dog" Russo: Pedroia Takes Back-Seat To No A.L. 2B - Including Cano
Since some have brought this up in comments made here today, I thought that I would add my two cents. Yes, I heard Chris "Mad Dog" Russo on WFAN (660 AM Radio in NYC) today, between the hours of 5 pm and 6 pm (ET), go into his mini-rant on how Dustin Pedroia was a 'winner' and a 'gritty player' (etc.) and how Pedroia should not have to take "back-seat to any second baseman in the A.L." Russo went on to say that Pedroia was a clutch post-season performer, saved no-hitters, etc.
First of all, I think Russo was trying to push buttons with this comment. But, let us assume that he actually believes this to be true. Does he have a case?
Last season, as a 23-year old second baseman, in 581 Plate Appearances, Dustin Pedroia had 15 Runs Created Above Average as a batter. In 2006, as a 23-year old second baseman, in 508 Plate Appearances, Robinson Cano had 21 Runs Created Above Average as a batter. And, last season, Cano had 11 Runs Created Above Average in 669 Plate Appearances. So, on the whole, it appears that the two are close in age and somewhat close in terms of their relative offensive production. But, I'll get back to that in a moment.
What about defense? According to The Fielding Bible, Robinson Cano was +17 in the field last season for second baseman - which was third best in the league behind Aaron Hill and Mark Ellis. And, Pedroia? Well, all we know from what's publicly available (and free) is that Dustin Pedroia was less than +7 and greater than -10 in 2007. So, clearly, last season Robinson Cano was a better defender than Dustin Pedroia.
Getting back to hitting, check out the home and road splits for these two players.
In his career, at this moment, Dustin Pedroia's BA/OBA/SLG marks at Fenway Park are .334/.391/.482 - but, on the road they're just .265/.335/.365.
In his career, at this moment, Robinson Cano's BA/OBA/SLG marks at Yankee Stadium are .296/.329/.468 - and, they're .330/.361/.508 on the road.
This is interesting - as it shows that Pedroia can't reach base outside of Fenway Park and Cano has issues reaching base in Yankee Stadium...but, at least Cano drives the ball, no matter where he plays, whereas Pedroia has no pop outside of Fenway.
So, in the end, this (to me) suggests that Cano is a better defensive player than Pedroia. And, Cano's bat carries more sock than that of Pedroia. If that's not a back-seat position for Pedroia (compared to Cano), I don't know what is...right?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at April 1, 2008 10:24 PM
Comments
Looks like Russo pushed your button. ;-)
Posted by: Pete ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 1, 2008 11:24 PM
i cant believe people still listen to those ass clowns.
Posted by: Travis G. at April 2, 2008 01:18 AM
a) the day I take my stats from those two dimwits is the day I die
b) What do you think is enough time to judge a player? Pedroia's had 1 season in the majors while Cano has had 3 i think? I know some (Jim Kaat was guilty of this) have said that he's got a Carew swing and how he could hit for power and high average. But think how many 2B are the main bats in their lineup in the AL. Cano is literally about 6th or 7th in the lineup and rightly so. This is a completely unfair lineup because if you look at most average teams they'll have 1 or 2 hitters that are just bad and a bunch who are ok.
All the Yankees expect from 2B is defense,the ability to get the ball out of the infield and that's really it. A-rod, Jeter, Giambi,Posada Matsui,and Abreu are all expected to hit better than Cano. If Cabrera continues to hit well then he'll move into that list. Having Cano as our weak spot in our lineup? I'll take that any day of the week!
Posted by: Straylightrise at April 2, 2008 01:51 AM
There is only a 30 point difference between Robbie's home BA and road BA. Since the exact same 30 points is missing from his OBP, and (as you noted) his SLG is nearly the same, I'd argue that all that has separated home and road is a little luck.
Posted by: jscape2000 at April 2, 2008 02:22 AM
Pedroia is as average as they come.
Cano is a legit player.
Posted by: Josh at April 2, 2008 08:57 AM
Why are the little white guys always "gritty" and "winners?"
Posted by: JeremyM at April 2, 2008 08:59 AM
Why are the little white guys always "gritty" and "winners?"
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A byproduct of the people who cover them...
Posted by: Raf at April 2, 2008 09:56 AM
Why does anyone listen to what Russo has to say? The man is a complete moron who figured out that he could make a living pissing off Yankee fans.
Posted by: Inconnu at April 2, 2008 09:58 AM