As the 2009 season winds down, there is more and more talk about Cesar Izturis being a possible long-term answer at SS.
It is my opinion that he is not.
There is no doubt that he has been a huge improvement over the abysmal options that were the O’s SS in 2008.
The former Gold-Glover has provided solid-defense all season, and has been outstanding lately with the leather.
He is played well enough, that he will head into the 2010 season as a some-what adequate option for one more year.
However, if you want to compete in 2011, an upgrade at SS will be necessary.
For Izturis’ career, he has a life-time .260 batting-average, with a .630 OPS (inclusive of a .298 career on-base %).
In 2009, Izturis is batting .260, with a .632 OPS (inclusive of a .292 career on-base %).
He is a very good defensive SS, but he is not Ozzie Smith or Omar Vizquel in their primes. His defense is not good enough to support an on-base% under .300.
The O’s have existing long-term options at 3rd (Bell), 1st (Snyder), and with the rotation. SS remains the area of highest need for the organization to be addressing.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.