Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylvanfan
How many defensive runs does an average 1B save vs. a bad one, or even an elite 1B defensively.
The Red Sox were able to transition Hanley Ramirez to 1B last year, but I haven't really looked at his defensive numbers.
My gut feeling is that first base defence likely doesn't save a huge amount of runs. Range at the position isn't as important as other places on the diamond, throwing is often limited so a plus arm at first doesn't get utilized that often. To me it's about covering up the bad throws by the other infielders. So for how many bounced throws occur, and how many a good one gets vs. an average one...what does that add up to.
Put it this way, I don't see any world in which a black hole bat like Smoak is worth keeping because of his stellar defence at that position. Get a guy who can produce runs, and live with below average defence instead.
So if a guy like Beltran would consider the move, and they feel he can still offer enough offensively, why not?
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I'll be honest I don't know that data on that but you make a fair point. For the record if Beltran was open to it and the Jays felt he could do it I would entertin it but it would make me nervous. Donaldson doesn't exactly have the most accurate arm in the world from 3rd.
What I should have said is it doens't seem to fit the profile of how the Jays are publically saying they want to play, but that doesn't always mean everything either.