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Can Baltimore Orioles’ Schoop, Jays’ Travis overtake Pedroia at second base?

By Nate Wardle

Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) reacts after scoring a run during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) reacts after scoring a run during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) throws to first for an out in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) throws to first for an out in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Boston Red Sox

Red Sox’ second basemen – Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt, Marco Hernandez

After Pedroia only played in 93 games in 2015, I wondered whether he might be on the downside of his career. Sure, Pedroia is only 33, but he is an 11-year pro, and a guy who gives maximum effort all the time.

Well, Pedroia went out and played 154 games, hitting .318/.376/.449 with 15 HRs, 36 2Bs, 74 RBIs, 104 runs and 201 hits. Although he didn’t win any major awards, this was clearly one of the best years of his career.

His batting average was the third best in the AL, and he had the third most hits in the AL. The dWAR was 1.8, to go with a 4.4 oWAR. While his range sabermetrics won’t be as high as they once were (as expected), Pedroia remains one of the best defensive second basemen of all time.

I said Barney was a good utility player, but Holt is in my mind the best utility player in the division, if not the entire game. I consider Holt to be much like Ben Zobrist; only Holt does not start.

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Holt’s numbers were down a bit in 2016 as he dealt with a concussion, but he will be ready to fill in wherever the Red Sox need in 2017.

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