CC Sabathia And Mark Teixeira’s Hall Of Fame Cases

June 11, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Nate Freiman (7) takes a lead off first base against New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) as starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches the ball during the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt that CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have had great careers, but are they good enough to be labeled “future Hall Of Famers”? It’s more complicated than many people think.

Sabathia

CC Sabathia has compiled 205 wins over a 13-year career (almost 16 wins per season on average). His 3.60 career ERA would tie for the fifth highest in the Hall Of Fame.

In terms of strikeouts, Sabathia is already a legend as he has compiled 2389 strikeouts in 13 seasons compared to the average Hall Of Fame pitcher who has 2084 punchouts over 17 seasons (Sabathia averages about 184 per season while the average Hall Of Famer strikes out almost 123 batters per season). He has the most among active players with the retirement of teammate Andy Pettitte.

From 2006-2012, the closest he came to posting an average American League ERA was in 2012 when he was 0.71 points below (3.38 compared to the leagues 4.09).

Also, Sabathia is third among active players in innings pitched with 2775.1.

It’s safe to say that since making his big league debut in 2001, Sabathia has been an ace, but for how much longer? 2013 was a down year for the southpaw as his ERA was 4.78 (0.79 above league average). Will he be able to improve in 2014? Only time will tell. If he can put up a few more solid seasons, he is at least a borderline Hall Of Famer.

Teixeira

Though he has been hit with a lot of injuries over the past two years, Teixeira is still a major power threat as well as one of the top fielding first baseman in baseball.

Until last season, when he only played in 15 games, the Yankees slugger had never compiled less than 84 RBI and hit below 24 home runs in a given year. From 2004-2011 he never hit below 30 home runs.

Advanced statistics like Teixeira, both offensively and defensively. wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) is measured as above or below 100 (league average) and Teixeira has a career total of 131 and hadn’t, until 2013, had a wRC+ below 100. Fielding may very well be Teixeira’s greatest skill. Since 2005, he has made no more than 5 errors in a season. According to DRS (Defensive Runs Saved), Teixeira has never cost his team runs and in every season but one, he has saved his team runs. In 2012, his last healthy season, he saved a solid 17 runs at first base.

Teixeira rarely makes errors at first base. He hasn’t made more than 5 errors since 2004 and he is 3rd all time in fielding percentage at first base.

If he can play for another four or five years and continue to hit around 20-25 home runs per season, Teixeira will have a very strong case for the Hall Of Fame.

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