EWB Best Season: (10) 2010 Robinson Cano vs. (23) 2012 Derek Jeter

Our next matchup in the Empire Writes Back best season of the 2010’s season features the 10th seeded 2010 season of Robinson Cano against the 23rd seeded 2012 season of Derek Jeter.

Welcome back to the Empire Writes Back best season of the 2010’s season, with former teammates squaring off against each other as (10) 2010 Robinson Cano goes head-to-head with (23) 2012 Derek Jeter.

The two former New York Yankees teammates both had phenomenal seasons in pinstripes, but only one can move on.

First, we’ll start with the year that Derek Jeter had for the Yankees in 2012.

Despite being his age 38 season, Jeter performed like he had for the majority of his career. He hit 15 dingers and drove in 58 runs, while recording a slash line of .316/.362/.429 in 159 games. All of this led to a 2.2 WAR.

He also led the league in three categories: plate appearances (740), at-bats (683), and hits (216).

Jeter was named to the 13th all-star game of his illustrious career, which would be his second to last. He also did well during awards season, winning the American League silver slugger award at the shortstop position and finished 7th in the AL MVP race.

Jeter had the last great season of his career in 2012, and his year should absolutely be remembered by many for a long time.

However, the season that Robinson Cano had for the Yanks in 2010 was arguably just as good, if not better.

Cano hit 29 home runs and drove in a total of 109 runs, while posting a slash line of .319/.381/.534 in 160 games. This all led to a 8.1 WAR that year. Cano was selected to represent the Yankees in the all-star game that season, the 2nd time of his career he was awarded to go to the mid-summer classic.

At the end of the season, he won the 2nd American League silver slugger award of his career at 2nd base, as well as this first Gold Glove award of his career for his slick defense.

He also was a finalist for the AL MVP award, finishing behind Josh Hamilton and Miguel Cabrera.

While Jeter had a great season despite being well out of his prime, I have to give the win in this matchup to Cano.

The reason why Jeter’s season was worse than Cano’s, in my opinion, mainly has to do with defense. Jeter was a liability at shortstop for the Yankees in 2012, while Cano won a Gold Glove for them in his 2010 season. That’s what does it for me here.

Do you agree with me that Cano should move on? Or do you think that Jeter should advance to the next round? Either way, be sure to vote on our Twitter, @empirewritesbck, to vote on who you think should win this matchup.

In addition to that, check our Twitter and this site for future matchups in the tournament, which are released every morning for the duration of the tournament.

Speaking of this site, be sure to take a look at the other articles that my fellow colleagues have written as well.