Is Nomar Garciaparra a Hall of Famer?

Perhaps I am jumping the gun a bit here, but with Nomar Garciaparra sitting at 35 years old and stuck in a utility role on one of the worst teams in the American League in the Oakland Athletics, it appears he is in the twilight of his career.

So, that draws the question: Is Garciaparra worthy of Cooperstown?

Having played 1,055 of his 1,357 career games at shortstop, I think it is fair to view him as a shortstop for the sake of his eligibility, even though he has prolonged his career by playing corner infield.

Nomar's current career numbers are as follows:.313 BA, .362 OBP, .521 SLG, 1735 H, 228 HR, 933 RBI, 923 R

That would rank Nomar as follows among the 21 Hall of Fame shortstops: Third in batting average, ninth in on-base percentage, first in slugging, 18th in hits, fourth in home runs, 10th in RBI, 18th in runs.

As far as overall statline is concerned, Nomar would fall in after Honus Wagner, Cal Ripken, Ernie Banks, and Robin Yount as far as offensive numbers.

Nomar was a six-time All-Star and the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year, when he posted one of the best rookie seasons of all-time.

He posted a line of: .306 BA, 30 HR, 98 RBI while leading the AL with 209 hits and 11 triples as a 23-year old for the Red Sox. His 30-game hitting steak that season set a rookie record, and he went on to win the Rookie of the Year unanimously.

Over the next three seasons, he averaged a line of: .350 BA, 27 HR, 107 RBI, as he won the batting title in 1999 (.357) and 2000 (.372).

After an injury cost him most of the 2001 season, Garciaparra again topped a .300 average, 20 home runs and 100 RBI in 2002 and 2003. Injuries cost him most of the 2004 and 2005 seasons, but he proved he could still play in 2006.

After signing with the Dodgers in the offseason to play first base, the 32-year old Garciaparra made the NL All-Star team with a line of: .303 BA, 20 HR, 93 RBI and won the MLB Comeback Player of the Year.

Will injuries and a move away from the shortstop position cost Garciaparra when it comes time for him to face the Hall voters? Or will the fact that he was arguably the best offensive shortstop of his era and his stellar career line earn him a place among the immortals.

Personally, I think that as long as he does not play too long to the point that his career batting average drops below .300, he deserves a spot. Perhaps not on the first ballot, but eventually.

So, what do you think? I look forward to what should be a good debate.