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ROY Wonders

	AP

We had our share of hot shot rookies this year, but only two of the top ROY candidates are still playing: Houston's Willy Taveras and Chicago's Tadahito Iguchi. Don't make the mistake of thinking they are here by chance, either; without them, their teams probably don't make the playoffs, to say nothing of the Fall Classic. Unfortunately, when the BBWAA awards are announced next month, odds are that neither one of these fantastic freshmen will be handed the hardware. A's closer Huston Street (23 saves) and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (22 home runs) had sexier numbers and are the leading candidates. But there is more than a case to be made for Taveras and Iguchi:

They both played the entire season. This is a big deal because young players tend to get exposed over 162 games. Look at Braves rookie Jeff Francoeur's month-by-month batting averages: .413 July, .312 August, .247 September. Francoeur probably will get more votes than Taveras, who along with Colorado's Garrett Atkins were the only two rookies to qualify in the NL batting race (min. 502 plate appearances). Taveras batted .291 in 635 PAs; Francoeur hit .300 in 274 PAs and Howard hit .288 in 348 PAs.

Iguchi and Taveras are well-rounded ballplayers. Iguchi stole 15 bases (in 20 attempts), hit 15 homers and batted .278 despite often giving himself up to move runners along. Among qualifiers, he led AL rookies in OPS (.780). Moreover, he ranked fourth among all AL second baseman in double plays turned with 85 and was fourth in fielding win shares. Defense and overall awareness put Iguchi ahead of the Yankees' Robinson Cano, who played admirably while dealing with the intense Big Apple pressure.

Taveras can pick it, too. He ranked ahead of Andruw Jones and Jim Edmonds in fielding win shares among NL outfielders. Taveras' 10 assists were second only to Jones among center fielders. And like Iguchi, Taveras used his speed wisely on the bases, stealing 34 bags in 45 attempts for a 75 percent success ratio.

Street, the probable AL winner, wasn't even the best rookie on his own pitching staff. A's starter Joe Blanton had a better overall season than him, and you can't overlook Devil Rays lefty Scott Kazmir (3.77 ERA in 32 starts). But we love our closers nowadays, don't we? I'd rather have what Iguchi brought to the table every day, and I'm sure White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who labeled Iguchi his team MVP, would agree.

Howard, the probable NL winner, probably will have a better career than Taveras. (Though I found it interesting that Taveras is a very similar comp to a young Kirby Puckett). Looking strictly at 2005, however, I have to give the nod to Taveras, whose postseason work so far (.400-.432-.543) has been nothing short of terrific.

-- Jacob Luft (3:00 p.m.)

I agree with you about Tavaras. I didn't watch the White Sox at all this year, so I can't comment on Iguchi. But I have seen Tavaras play as much as anybody who is not an Astros fan, and I don't even see why there is a debate.
-- Brad, St. Louis (3:26 p.m.)

I couldn't agree more. Both of these guys are far and away a more important part of their team then any of the other candidates. While Street as a closer is quite important, the role that Iguchi played with the Sox was invaluable. Next to Konerko, there is no other batter in that line up that was more important. My question is, like you had said about Iguchi's importance to the team, how come Konerko doesn't get any consideration for AL MVP? While his numbers aren't nearly as big as the others, his importance to the team is vastly greater. When considering exactly what an MVP is, I find it funny how a guy who puts up monster numbers simply as a byproduct of the line up he hits in can get consideration as the MVP of anything is beyond me. Without Ortiz, or without Rodriguez, those teams still compete at a high level and even take that division. Without Konerko the White Sox are done. He accounts for the largest percentage of run/rbi's to his team, shattering the other two! I just want to know how come the media considers numbers before value in the Most VALUABLE Player award.
-- Eddie B., Chicago (3:56 p.m.)

My man Francoeur was doomed the moment you guys decided to put his mug on your cover! Thanks a lot. Nevertheless, as a Braves fan, I saw Howard a good bit down the stretch and he was very impressive. If you take into account he's made Jim Thome obsolete, his impact is arguably bigger than Taveras or Francoeur.
-- Jay Parker, Birmingham, Ala. (4:06 p.m.)

I agree with Iguchi. All you need to hear is that Guillen labeled him team MVP; that should be enough to get him ROY honors. Most valuable player on the best team in the league? Come on, what more do you want out of your rook? Let's hope that his previous playing years don't count against him like they surely did against Hideki Matsui.
-- Ben, Green Bay (4:06 p.m.)

When did importance to the team become more important than numbers for rookie of the year? The importance to the team should be saved for MVP voting. Rookie of the Year should be the best performing rookie where stats should be weighed more than importance to playoff race. My votes are for Cano and Taveras..
-- Dave, NYC (4:16 p.m.)

How about an article on bust of the year? At this time last year, Carlos Beltran was the most coveted free agent since Alex Rodriguez. Adrian Belte wasn't far behind. Those two landed monster contracts and then turned in career-worst numbers. How about Dan Kolb, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and, to a less extent, Matt Clement? GM's for the above players: step forward if you think your team would still be playing if these guys hadn't flopped. Not so fast Bill Bavasi!
-- David Steffler, Toronto (4:21 p.m.)

Two years ago some baseball writers took it upon themselves to declare that Hideki Matsui was not a rookie due to his service time in Japan. Given that, Iguchi shouldn't qualify for the same reason.
-- Chip, Mount Vernon, N.Y. (4:31 p.m.)

Howard should be a lock in the NL. He, Rollins and Utley carried that team down the stretch. Iguchi had good numbers and was labeled the "team MVP" by Guillen yet he was platooned with Willie Harris a good portion of the year. Don't you usually want your MVP in the lineup every day? Oh wait we're talking about Ozzie Guillen logic.
-- Ryan, Old Forge, Pa. (4:46 p.m.)

This is ridiculous. Yes you make a terrific argument for your choices but what I really want to know is, Where was this article before the playoffs started? ROY is based on regular season stats, not on what they are doing to impress you in the playoffs when the other guys aren't playing. Don't let the recent play dictate who the real winners are. And why is there no mention for Gustavo Chacin? He had a great season, minus his games against the Yankees, with the Blue Jays!?
-- Paul, Grande Prairie, AB, Canada (4:51 p.m.)

Although I hope and expect Ryan Howard will win it for his crucial and consistent power bat, Taveras is an almost equal force in the Astros lineup. Like Dykstra and Juan Pierre at their best, he's disruptive and a general pain in the butt, requiring the pitcher to work harder and the infielders to be perfect. Iguchi looks like an old pro -- which is what he is. Nice player, key to the Sox's success ... but a rookie by definition is one of the young guys on the team. My nonexistent vote is for Cano.
-- Chris, Media, Pa. (5:06 p.m.)

Iguchi "platooned with Willie Harris a good portion of the year?" What are you talking about? Harris started 28 games at second base and spent time in minors this season. Iguchi started over 100 MORE games at second than Harris. If you want your No. 2 hitter to move runners over, hit for a decent average, drive guys in, hit some dingers, steal some bases and play stellar defense -- and he's able to do all of it as a rookie -- then you have a top ROY candidate. And I don't see it as illogical for the manager to call him the team MVP either.
-- Eric, Urbana, Ill. (5:31 p.m.)

As much as a I love the season Paul Konerko's had this year, and I agree that he's a legit MVP candidate, I see parallels to the postseason pursuit of Paulie with last year's "free" agent of choice, Mr. Beltran. The success of the White Sox resulted, in great part, from the shedding of Magg's huge contract, and the replacement of him with the much cheaper Jermaine Dye. Konerko is going to get a big payday this offseason, but I just don't know if it will and/or should be in Chicago.
-- Mark Smolens , Chicago (5:36 p.m.)

Taveras' splits:
Home: .330/.367/.395
Away: .252/.282/.289
Good leadoff hitter at home, terrible on the road. Add on a 4.1/1 K/BB ratio and you have a pretty ordinary player. And really, the comparisons to Puckett are laughable. As for Iguchi, it's a joke to give a 30 year-old Japanese veteran a Rookie of the Year award. I understand technically he qualifies, but he has eight years of professional baseball under his belt, and was a four-time All-Star. Street is a 21-year-old with only 26 innings pitched in the minors. Also, 23 saves is sexy and all, but don't overlook his 1.72 ERA, which, among pitchers with at least 70 innings, ranked third in the majors behind Mariano Rivera's 1.38 and Billy Wagner's 1.51.
-- Brian , Long Beach, Calif. (7:26 p.m.)