Another player who is similar to David Wright is Chase Utley. Last season, Utley went 28/105/16/.291 with a .375 OBP and a .540 SLG.. Both players had similar 2004 seasons, too! I am going to say they are the same player.
Given a choice in 2006, whom would you choose? The 23-year-old 3B or the 27 year-old 2B?
Tough call. A look at the available players at their respective positions may help. The one who plays at a position with less depth would be the one to choose. However, even this does not mean one will be better than the other in 2006. It does mean that a team could have one of them with a better player at the other position.
The top NL 3B are Scott Rolen, Chipper Jones, Aramis Ramirez, Morgan Ensberg, Miguel Cabrera (if he actually stays at 3B this year), and Chad Tracy. At the next tier exist Ryan Zimmerman, Joe Randa, Cory Koskie, Bill Hall, Bill Mueller, and Garret Atkins
The top NL 2B are Alphonso Soriano and Jeff Kent. The next tier at this position consists of Craig Biggio, Jose Vidro, Richie Weeks, Ryan Freel, Jose Castillo, Orlando Hudson and Ray Durham. (Weeks go very well be top tier.)
Using position depth the choice is Utley. This may be counter to popular opinion, but that does not make it incorrect. If you have Wright and could get Utley+ for him, do it.
Also, recall Utley split time with Placido Polanco for the first couple months. He will get more plate appearances this season.
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