The Case for Zimmerman Zimmerman was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft out of the University of Virginia and quickly ascended the Nationals farm system, becoming a September call-up in the same season. He became their everyday third baseman in 2006 and finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, posting a .287 AVG, 20 HRs and 110 RBIs. This was the most RBIs by a rookie since Albert Pujols drove in 130 runs back in 2001. Many baseball experts, including former manager Frank Robinson, have compared him to Brooks Robinson. He is the definite successor to Scott Rolen as the NL Gold Glove king at third base. By all accounts, Zimmerman is already a top-ten third baseman and even if he just slightly improves his totals from 2006, he will enter the top-five strata. The Case against Zimmerman Zimmerman?s 2006 split stats are extremely confusing. RFK is not a ballpark where hitters excel, but he had a home OPS of .900 compared to just .741 on the road. Since Zimmerman grew up in the area, perhaps he simply feels at ease at home, but he will have to figure out why there is such a discrepancy in his statistics, otherwise he may become the Dennis Bergkamp of the MLB. His speed on the base paths is below average, particularly for someone who is still so young. Finally, questions remain whether or not Zimmerman can become a 30-40 homeruns per year kind of player. How important that is to Manny Acta is yet to be seen, though Rolen has been an All-Star third baseman while only hitting 30 or more homers in just three seasons. The Case for Bay Mets fans love to talk about the Scott Kazmir trade of 2004 as a horrible blunder, but their trade of Jason Bay to the Padres for Steve Reed at the 2002 deadline was equally ill-advised. Bay is a career .292 hitter, with a .936 OPS and has had at least 100 RBIs in each of his two full MLB seasons. In 2006, he had a career bests in homeruns (35), RBIs (109) and walks (102). The Case against Bay Bay is an average defensive player, though some scouts believe he is good enough to play centerfield. His plate coverage is amongst the best in the league, though he struggles to get around on the inside fastball. Due to Pittsburgh?s perpetual cellar status, he has never played a truly meaningful game in his career. He is the best thing about the Pirates? franchise other than PNC Park.