Defensive Comparison, '07 vs. '08

Here's a defensive comparision of the '07 and '08 teams.

3B Glaus vs. Rolen

No comparison here, even with Rolen hurt for most of the year. Rolen is one of the best if not the best defensive 3rd baseman ever.

SS Izturis vs. Eckstein

Izturis has a gold glove and supposedly defense is the reason he was brought in; also, as much as I liked Eckstein, it’s always good when your SS doesn’t need to skip 12 times before he makes a throw to 1B

CF Rasmus vs. Edmonds

Edmonds has lost a step the last few years, and his defense has suffered. Rasmus is a very capable defensive center fielder, but you’d have to think Edmonds did better last year than Rasmus will do in his first year in the league.

RF Ankiel vs. Encarnacion

Ankiel had an absolute GUN from right. In my opinion, Encarnacion was pretty damn lazy, and Ankiel’s got range to go along with his arm, so the advantage definitely goes to this year.

It looks like basically a push, but if Kennedy can get back to normal, Duncan can continue to improve, as well as Molina, this defense could improve a lot. But it would be hard not to improve on the 2nd worse D in the league last year.