Interesting collection of players. It honestly wouldn't surprise me to see any one of the five have the "best" season at the position in the division. I think Cano is a minor cut above the others, with Roberts and Pedroia both potential All-Stars and Hill and Zobrist  in the "could really surprise" group. Zobrist looks like a future star to me, but I once thought that about Frank Pastore, so never mind my opinions!

A little bit of homerism showing with all the Hill votes. Given that all of Cano, Pedroia and Roberts outhit Hill in 2007, and could all well do the same in 2008, people are presumably giving the edge to Hill on the basis of his defense.

Cano's worst offensive season was the equivalent of Hill's best and, if the various metrics mean anything, his defense has improved substantially since his rookie year, to the point where some have him as gold glove worthy.

It's hard not to give Cano the edge in this voting.

I really don't see why there is so much love for Hill in this thread.  He is a solid player, but Cano's offense more than makes up the difference between their 2 defensive games. 

We simply aren't talking about a Chuck Knoblauch or Alfonso Soriano here defensively... Cano is very good in his own right.

I think that any of Cano, Hill, Roberts or Pedroia is a defensible choice here.  Cano is the best hitter of the bunch, and a solid defensive player, but he has some on-base issues if his average drops below 300.  Hill is the best defensive player, but probably the worst hitter.  Roberts is very solid all around, a phenomenal thief on the basepaths (he was 50 for 57 last season), a good defensive player and a consistent on-base threat.  Pedroia is similar to Roberts (without the speed), but he benefits greatly from his home park.

If I had to rank them for next year, I would go:

1 - Cano
2 - Roberts
3 - Hill
4 - Pedroia

But I could be convinced to put the first three in a different order.  I have no problem with a vote for Hill here.  I think his defense is greatly underrated by Jays fans.  He's not as flashy as Johnny Mac or the O-Dog, but there is a very good argument to be made that he is the best defensive second basemen in baseball.  He won the Fielding Bible award for the position this year (an achievement that carries MUCH more weight with me than winning a Gold Glove) and has lead all 2B's in baseball in John Dewan's Plus/Minus system each of the last two years.  Cano, Roberts and Pedroia are all solid defenders, but Hill is elite with the leather.

As for the Rays second baseman, isn't Iwamura shifting to 2B next year to open up 3B for Evan Longoria?

2007 stats say:

Cano:      306/353/488 19HR, 93 R, 97 RBI, 4/5 steals caught stealing

Hill:          291/333/459 17HR, 87 R, 78 RBI, 4/3 steals caught stealing

Pedroia:  317/380/442  8HR, 86 R, 50 RBI, 7/1 steals caught stealing

Roberts:  290/377/432 12HR, 103 R, 57 RBI, 50/7 steals caught stealing

All four are obviously useful. All are quality defensive guys. I picked Hill, I think his 08 will be 300/350/490 22HR, 100 R, 85 RBI... but then, Monday night I'll be putting my stocking up on the mantle, putting out hot chocolate and cookies for you know who, AND, because I believe so strongly, Tuesday morning I'll be rewarded! Now, if only I can get my wife to help Hill produce like that!

The Rays' 2B is much more likely to be Iwamura, with the young Mr. Longoria taking over at 3B. With that switch made, 2B in the AL East looks even better. I'd take any of them over any of the 1B.

Win Shares for the last two years, with playing time caveats applying of course:
Roberts    14, 24
Hill            14, 20
Cano         18, 21
Pedroia      0, 19
Zobrist        1, -2

It's a very close call between the top 4, but I chose Hill, for homer reasons. This position was incredibly strong in the AL East this year, with 4 of the top 6 in the league (Polanco and Ellis). There's not a true superstar in the bunch right now, but all well above average players.

I gotta say, I'm pretty surprised at the lack of support that Roberts is getting in this poll - especially considering that he was probably the best of the bunch last season.  Mitchell Report related backlash, perhaps?