Top 9 First Basemen of the Decade

[HoustonGM]

On FanGraphs - Teixeira is worth 29.8 WAR, and Lee is worth 31.2 even without 2000 or 2001. With a minimum of 3 wins in each of those years and he is up to 37.

TotalZone, the fielding metric Chone's WAR uses, has a much more favorable view on Teixeira. He's been above average each year except for 2001 where he was at -5, and has posted years of +10, +16 and +7. UZR has Tex at +10.6 in 2008 but slightly below average every other year except 2003 and 2004. Overall, UZR has Tex as +4.9 over the 2003-2009 span, while Total Zone has him at +43. That alone is a roughly 4 win difference.

[kenny1234]

As for the Hall of Fame question - we can really only judge the careers of those over 30. Pujols gets in (even though he isn't 30 yet), Thome will get in, Helton is borderline, and Giambi, Delgado and Lee shouldn't.

[HoustonGM]

As for the Hall of Fame question - we can really only judge the careers of those over 30. Pujols gets in (even though he isn't 30 yet), Thome will get in, Helton is borderline, and Giambi, Delgado and Lee shouldn't.

And Bagwell should.

[kenny1234]

And Bagwell should.

Of the recently retired first basemen, Bagwell and Thomas will get in. Palmeiro and McGwire will be interesting.

[HoustonGM]

Of the recently retired first basemen, Bagwell and Thomas will get in. Palmeiro and McGwire will be interesting.

I'm not confident that Bagwell will get in. He's certainly overqualified, but I fear the writers may overlook his lack of certain milestones like 500 HR and 3000 hits.

[kenny1234]

I'm not confident that Bagwell will get in. He's certainly overqualified, but I fear the writers may overlook his lack of certain milestones like 500 HR and 3000 hits.

The RoY, MVP, GG, a couple of other high MVP finishes - and a more statistically inclined electorate will all lead toward him getting in. I don't think he'll be in on the first ballot, but he has 15 years for the voters to figure it out.

[free2131]

It would be a disgrace if Palmeiro and McGwire are left out of the HOF. McGwire more so than Palmeiro, but they both deserve in.

I also think Delgado will make it in if he gets to 500 HR, and if he does, it wouldn't be the most terrible selection by a long shot.

[Jim Colyer]

Jim Thome will make the Hall of Fame. 564 home runs.