Rating the top first basemen in the major leagues

The acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez provides the Dodgers a significant upgrade in offensive production from the first base position. Gonzalez is a four-time All-Star, though — fact of caution here — his lifetime batting average at Dodger Stadium is .212. Deputy Sports Editor Mike Hiserman rates Major League Baseball’s first basemen on offense (statistics through Friday):

Gold standard

Joey Votto, Cincinnati; 2010 NL MVP is nearing return from two knee operations.

Prince Fielder, Detroit; Had new owners taken over earlier, he’d be a Dodger.

Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox; The one the Dodgers let get away.

Albert Pujols, Angels; Has heated up but still not close to career averages.

Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto; Everybody forgets him, unless you’re a pitcher.

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia; Back from injury, he’s not quite himself … yet.

Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers; Mr. Consistent: .298 vs. right-handers, .302 vs. left-handers this year.

Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees; Hasn’t fallen too far: fifth among first basemen in RBIs, second in HRs.

New kids on the block

Allen Craig, St. Louis; .318 average with 65 runs and 68 RBIs in only 318 at-bats.

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona; Eighth-round pick from Texas State has quickly become a fixture.

Mitch Moreland, Texas; His return from the DL has given every Ranger around him a boost.

Freddie Freeman, Atlanta; His 81 RBIs leads NL first basemen.

Falling stars

Carlos Lee, Miami; Didn’t want to join pennant race, so now stuck with Marlins.

Justin Morneau, Minnesota; Dodgers looked into him, too, around trade deadline.

Best of the rest + Loney

Adam LaRoche, Washington; Teixeira-like numbers at about one-third the cost.

Corey Hart, Milwaukee; LaRoche-like numbers at $1.3 million more of a cost.

Eric Hosmer, Kansas City; Has digressed in second full season, but he’s only 22.

Bryan LaHair, Chicago White Sox; 15 HRs in 303 at-bats, but also 112 strikeouts.

Brandon Belt, San Francisco; Loves home cooking; batting .309 at AT&T.;

Yonder Alonso, San Diego; Padres hoping he’s not a version of James Loney.

James Loney, Boston; Offensively, he’s … a very slick fielder. Used to pitch, too.