Grady Sizemore v. Carl Crawford

Crawford

Crawford has much better speed and hits for higher average. Sizemore has more pop and is a better fielder. It's pretty tight but I'll take Crawford.

by kramerica1515 on Oct 30, 2006 7:18 PM EST reply actions

Sizemore.

Sizemore plays a more important position, he's younger and he's a better offensive player. He hits for more power, he draws more walks. He was an MVP candidate this year.

No question in my mind. I don't see this as anything approaching close. Grady Sizemore is a cornerstone player with a 910-950 OPS and good defense in CF. Crawford is going to be a nice 875 OPS guy with great speed and great defense ... in left field.

by Klostrophobic on Oct 30, 2006 7:30 PM EST reply actions

Who Says...

That Crawford can't play CF?

I'm sure with his speed and instincts, that if TB wanted to, which they may be forced to, they would feel comfortable moving him to CF.

Sickels for President.

by StatFreakNYM on Oct 30, 2006 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

maybe I'm selling Craword short a bit but I don't think it's that close either. I think the poll will show that....

bc

by bluechipper on Oct 30, 2006 7:48 PM EST up reply actions

As a Rays fan

Sizemore is the better player now without a doubt.

Crawford has the potential to become a better HR/SB threat and could post some of the best AVG/HR/SB stats in the history of the game if healthy... but right now Sizemore is a top 10-15 position player in baseball while Crawford is just a top 10 outfielder.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Oct 30, 2006 7:55 PM EST reply actions

edit

But when speaking of pure potential, Crawford has the edge.
The problem is predicting the likelihood of him reaching that "ceiling".

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Oct 30, 2006 7:56 PM EST up reply actions

huh

if we're still talking about ceilings with these guys, maybe i should include them in the PPP.

by wily mo on Oct 30, 2006 7:59 PM EST up reply actions

prime

If you're not in your prime yet, chances are that you're still improving as a player.

It's not a reason to include them in any prospecting list, but they are young enough to still have potential remaining.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Oct 30, 2006 8:11 PM EST up reply actions

I fully expect

Sizemore to do some improvement vs LHP. . .look at his numbers vs righties, 1000 OPS, think he lead the league in XBH's. Comes across as a cerebral type of player, so i expect him to improve.

by SoCalSoxFan on Oct 30, 2006 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

I have to say crawford

Crawford is showing to be a consistent .300 hitter... Sizemore is 1 year younger.

I think if crawford was in that indians lineup instead of sizemore, I think he would put up better numbers.. he knocked in 80 rbis in a crappy tampa lineup, and scored 100 runs again. Hes a better basestealer at 83%.. though sizemore is no slouch at 75%. I also think people still see crawford developing more power where im not sure sizemore projects for much power power then his is showing no (ridiclous amount of extra base hits this year)

Again no knock on sizemore, hes a great choice, i think i like crawford more.

"You also must admit, that outside of the facts, I made a compelling argument!"

by jbluestone on Oct 30, 2006 8:18 PM EST reply actions

Another Rays fan

who voted Sizemore. Oddly, CC really isn't much of a CF. Not really sure why, but he's definately more comfortable in left. His routes go to crap when he tries to play center.

by Brickhaus on Oct 30, 2006 9:03 PM EST reply actions

Sizemore

I'd go Sizemore as well, and whether you think CC can play CF or not, I doubt he'll ever get the chance. They'll either stick with their current OF situation, or Upton will end up in CF.

Rios is the next Juan Gonzales, thats right, I said it.

by KaoticKlown on Oct 30, 2006 9:16 PM EST reply actions

CC in CF? doubt it

When Baldelli was hurt Gathright and others patrolled CF and Gathright isn't a CF other than speed.

I really doubt TB wants or trusts him to play CF and I doubt he wants it either.

by pedrophile on Oct 30, 2006 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

Sizemore

using batting average as an advantage for CC is a pretty bush-league move IMO, with only a 10 point difference in their short careers

sizemore absolutely destroys crawford in the power department with 10 more HR and 33 more doubles this year which results in a 51 point difference in SLG%

sizemore also walks at a clip twice as high as crawfords (78 to 37), resulting in a 27 point difference in OBP%

speed category belongs to crawford but sizemore is no slouch, defense goes to sizemore, meanwhile sizemore strikes out twice as much as crawford

sizemore had 25 win shares this year compared to crawfords 23

crawford is a year older and has been in the league for almost 2 more full seasons, his numbers have gotten better each season, slowly, meanwhile sizemore took a gigantic step forward after this year

in terms of potential, many have said they can see crawford become more of a HR guy, and while i see it in him physically, i'm not sure he's got the swing built for that, seems to be more of a slap hitter

all in all i take sizemore with it not being a very tough decision, although thats not to say crawford doesnt belong in the arguement

by nyybaseball99 on Oct 30, 2006 9:38 PM EST reply actions

sold!

i was on the fence, but this post convinced me.

i mean, they're both great, obviously.

by wily mo on Oct 30, 2006 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed fully...

Crawford is more "toolsy" and his speed and power is exciting, but Sizemore is better.

Better OBP, better power, and better defense at a premium position. He's a great player RIGHT NOW, Crawford is still growing.

Sizemore is going to be one of the leagues best players for a while.

by SenorGato88 on Oct 31, 2006 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

No knock on Grady

Hes a very good player, and had an amazing season with like 90+ extra base hits.. Very good allround player. But Look at the people batting around him... cleveland had one of the best offenses in baseball this year. (2nd best only to the yanks) where Tampa Bay was dead last. Crawford has (especially with baldelli out) no help in that lineup. Yet produced nearly identical RBI numbers and scored over 100 runs

Trust me id be thrilled to have either player playing for my team, but I still think Crawford has much upside then sizemore.. this season is probably about as good as it gets for sizemore (not that thats a bad thing), but to me Crawfords dimension on the basepaths is huge. 104 steals to 17 cs the psat 2 seasons (86%).

I think it will be great to watch these two ball played march towards their prime and see how they actualy develope compared to what scouts or people like us think. Me i've always been a sucker for speed, and I think you cant discount the fact that crawford ahs put up all these numbers while being surrounded by not much else.

"You also must admit, that outside of the facts, I made a compelling argument!"

by jbluestone on Oct 30, 2006 11:52 PM EST reply actions

in offense i was talking about AL offenses only

"You also must admit, that outside of the facts, I made a compelling argument!"

by jbluestone on Oct 30, 2006 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

meant to say around 100 runs not over

"You also must admit, that outside of the facts, I made a compelling argument!"

by jbluestone on Oct 30, 2006 11:53 PM EST reply actions

i think

using the lineup he plays in and steals as the main reasons why you think crawford is better, is a little obtuse

why not add stuff in like the fact that Tropicana Field played above average in runs and HR this year, but jacobs field played below average in runs and HR this year

they had the same number of RBI despite sizemore leading off all year and crawford batting 2nd and 3rd the majority of the year

even the 58 SB doesnt make up for sizemores gigantic advantage in power,

Crawford, TB + SB - CS = 338
Sizemore, TB + SB - CS = 365

Sizemore has a distinct advantage in power, ability to get on base and defense

crawford tops sizemore in only speed, i dont think thats nearly enough to make up for all the things that sizemore brings

by nyybaseball99 on Oct 31, 2006 1:13 AM EST reply actions

for the record

sizemore scored 134 runs this year and crawford scored only 89, thats a huge difference

with that said, runs are obviously very dependent on teammates and therefore isnt the best assessor of talent

its also obvious that sizemore has had the much, much better 2006, but given his small MLB sample size, there isnt much else to go on when evaluating statitistics

its good that crawford has increased his power and patience each of the past 3 years, but he's still not close to sizemore territory

by nyybaseball99 on Oct 31, 2006 1:17 AM EST up reply actions

Sizemore

I really like Crawford's combo of speed, contact, and power. I really do.

But Sizemore is a XBH machine. He's got great field and basepath instincts, great speed, and is probably the rangiest centerfielder in the game. He is probably the best all-around outfielder in the game today, with only Beltran also in serious contention.

by limozeen on Oct 31, 2006 2:41 AM EST reply actions

I think

That Sizemore is difinitly the better player right now. He plays in a great lineup which doesn't hurt. And alothough Crawford is older I think he has more power potential. I hated that Stupid article by "The Hardball times" about size and power. I know they are the same height, but to me Carl seems like he has the more soild body type.

Also i don't know how much of an XBH machine he really is. Maybe its park factor, maybe its luck, maybe he is just that good. Those numbers are truely rediculous when u look at them. 53 Doubles!! I would love to see him hit well over 40 again next year so he can show this was no fluke.

by JD Sussman on Oct 31, 2006 10:30 AM EST reply actions

PS

I voted for Sizemore. I also don't like Crawfords attitude.

by JD Sussman on Oct 31, 2006 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

What's wrong

with Crawford's attitude?

by Brickhaus on Oct 31, 2006 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

ehh

Some comments he made about Reyes really erked me this year. I'd go fid the quote but its just not worth it. He sounded very selfish and to be a player who is 'about the stats' when he made a comment about Reyes getting attention he diserved.

by JD Sussman on Oct 31, 2006 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

It's probably from the lesser-reliable NY Papers

Y'know the ones that claimed Kazmir had elbow troubles and that the Mets officials were right to trade him. Yeah, the Rays shut him down because they were nowhere near a playoff spot and that they wanted to make sure the shoulder twinge that he was having wasn't anything horrible and didn't want to worsen it by starting him. Kinda like what Minnesota should've done with Liriano.

Or could it be the ones that claim there's always a Mets/Rays deal in the works, yet we haven't traded with the Mets since the infamous Kazmir-Zambrano deal?

by The Rocc on Oct 31, 2006 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

umm

What are you taking about? First off I live in NY and that trade was torn apart the second it was made. By the papers, the radio, everything. The Mets sent out things about him being bad in the clubhouse. Secondly this is a direct quote from CC, not something someone made up. Don't be bitter.

This is my favorite NY paper Rocc...
Devil Rays OF Carl Crawford, as quoted by the St. Petersburg Times...

"Jose Reyes is like everything to people right now, and I don't see anything different that he's doing and I'm doing. But nobody knows what I'm doing and he's like a big megastar, the best player ever, the most exciting player and all that stuff. And I'm like, 'Okay, what's the difference?'"

by JD Sussman on Oct 31, 2006 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

kazmir

yeah, every news source in NY has ripped the mets since the day that deal happened, and rightfully so

by nyybaseball99 on Oct 31, 2006 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

lmao

You couldn't be more wrong... as a Rays fan, Crawford is probably the best team player on the roster.

He could have hit a few more HR and XBH's if Maddon wasn't so damn wasteful of AB's and outs with his 5 million sacrifice attempts and "move the runner over" strategy.

Every comment Crawford makes in the media is team first, CC second. All he said was that everyone is in love with Jose Reyes and he can't see anything different in the statistics and what's being done on the basepaths. It was a reference to the lack of media attention paid to anything in Tampa Bay in comparison with the mega-market that is New York. If you got anything else from the quote, you need to re-evaluate the context.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Oct 31, 2006 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

sizemore

seeing as he had 37 doubles, 11 Triples and 22 HR in his rookie season, this years 53 doubles, 11 Triples and 28 HR hardly seem like its a fluke season but rather a natural (or accelerated natural) progression

with that said i agree that it is important that sizemore doesnt regress in 2007 if he wants to remain in the games elite, i'd be interested to see if any projection system puts him over 35 HR next year

by nyybaseball99 on Oct 31, 2006 11:13 AM EST up reply actions