MLB's Best Infield 1B-2B-SS-3B for 2010

[Matthew C.]

I would defintely put them #4 - or even #3 if like I said, Bartlett ans Zobrist are one-year wonders. If those 2 are for real with Pena's offense and defense and Longoria - Boston is still behind them.

[dominik]

yeah the TB infield is better than the boston IF.

Bad for them that they are in one divison with the yanks and red sox.
In any other AL divison they could easily make the POs.

[Dogdaze]

As much as it pains me to say this, based on 2009 stats, the Yankees have the best infield offensively.

I wasn’t sure what team has the best defensive infield and my curiosity was piqued. I looked up UZR defense ratings for infielders of most of the teams mentioned in this thread as being considered good defensively, Phillies, Rays, Red Sox and the the Mariners who play good defense, plus the Yankees.

Since I spent time writing down all the stats for myself, I thought I’d share my findings with my fellow BBF posters to review, I’ll list each teams infielders by position in a separate post starting with first basemen.

Now I know UZR is not “the be all and end all” in defensive metrics, but it’s a very popular sabermetric stat for measuring defense, though it’s not perfect, some believe it’s the best defensive stat currently available.

The traditional way of measuring defense is fielding percentage which is limited to only measuring how good a player is at catching and throwing the ball and doesn’t tell us how good of a range the fielder has. UZR does this by measuring how good or bad a fielder is compared to the league average and showing how much a fielder contributes to his team defensively.

UZR, Ultimate Zone Rating in Runs Above or below Average (Arm+Double Play Runs+Range Runs+Error Runs) UZR/150, The number of Runs Above or below Average per 150 Defensive Games. Fangraphs has the UZR and UZR/150 ratings of all current MLB players, here’s a link to an article about it; http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...-on-fangraphs/

For example, based on UZR/150, in 2009 Kevin Youkilis with a +15.2 saved that many runs while Carlos Pena with a -6.2 cost his team 6.2 runs per 150 defensive games then the average first baseman.

Below are comparisons of the above mentioned teams first basemen listed in the order of how they ranked in each position from their UZR/150 stats in 2009. I’ve also listed career UZR, fielding % and 2009 offense.

Fist Base:

Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox.
In 2009 his UZR was 5.7 with an UZR/150 of 15.2
Career UZR at 1st base is 18.0 with UZR/150 at 6.5
2009 Fielding percentage was .998 while the league fld% was .994
Offense in 2009: BA: .305 OBP: .413 SLG: .548 OPS: .961 OPS+: 145

Casey Kotchman, Mariners.
In 2009 his UZR was 7.6 with an UZR/150 of 11.1
Career UZR at 1st base is 12.6 with UZR/150 at 4.4
2009 Fielding percentage was .1000 while the league fld% was .993
Offense in 2009: BA: .268 OBP: .339 SLG: .382 OPS: .721 OPS+: 90

Ryan Howard, Phillies.
In 2009 his UZR was 1.3 with an UZR/150 of 1.2
Career UZR at 1st base is 5.8 with an UZR/150 at 1.3
2009 Fielding percentage was .990 while the league fld% was .993
Offense in 2009: BA: .279 OBP: .360 SLG: .571 OPS: .931 OPS+: 140

Mark Teixeira, Yankees.
In 2009 his UZR was -3.7 with an UZR/150 of -4.1
Career UZR at 1st base is 11.6 with an UZR/150 at 1.7
2009 Fielding percentage was .994 while the league fld% was .994
Offense in 2009: BA: .292 OBP: .383 SLG: .565 OPS: .948 OPS+: 149

Carlos Pena, Rays.
In 2009 his UZR was -4.6 with an UZR/150 of -6.2
Career UZR at 1st base is -14.7 with UZR/150 at -2.7
2009 Fielding percentage was .991 while the league fld% was .994
Offense in 2009: BA: .227 OBP: .356 SLG: .537 OPS: .893 OPS+: 130

[Dogdaze]

Below are comparisons of second basemen for various teams, mentioned in this thread as being good defensively listed in the order of how they ranked in each position from their UZR/150 stats in 2009. I’ve also listed career UZR, fielding % and 2009 offense.

Second Base:

Ben Zobrist, Rays.
In 2009 his UZR was 16.0 with an UZR/150 of 30.8
Career UZR at 2nd base is 17.1 with an UZR/150 at 31.7
2009 Fielding percentage was .989 while the league fld% was .986
Offense in 2009: BA: .297 OBP: .405 SLG: .543 OPS: .948 OPS+: 146

Chase Utley, Phillies.
In 2009 his UZR was 10.8 with an UZR/150 of 11.3
Career UZR at 2nd base is 79.4 with an UZR/150 at 16.2
2009 Fielding percentage was .984 while the league fld% was .984
Offense in 2009: BA: .282 OBP: .397 SLG: .508 OPS: .905 OPS+: 136

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox.
In 2009 his UZR was 9.8 with an UZR/150 of 10.6
Career UZR at 2nd base is 21.7 with an UZR/150 at 7.4
2009 Fielding percentage was .991 while the league fld% was .986
Offense in 2009: BA: .296 OBP: .371 SLG: .447 OPS: .819 OPS+: 110

Jose Lopez, Mariners.
In 2009 his UZR was 1.2 with an UZR/150 of 1.5
Career UZR at 2nd base is 2.4 with an UZR/150 at 0.6
2009 Fielding percentage was .975 while the league fld% was .986
Offense in 2009: BA: .272 OBP: .303 SLG: .463 OPS: .766 OPS+: 102

Robinson Cano, Yankees.
In 2009 his UZR was -5.2 with an UZR/150 of -5.2
Career UZR at 2nd base is -26.8 with an UZR/150 at -5.4
2009 Fielding percentage was .984 while the league fld% was .986
Offense in 2009: BA: .320 OBP: .352 SLG: .520 OPS: .871 OPS+: 129

[Dogdaze]

Below are comparisons of shortstops for various teams, mentioned in this thread as being good defensively listed in the order of how they ranked in each position from their UZR/150 stats in 2009. I’ve also listed career UZR, fielding % and 2009 offense.

Shortstop:

Jack Wilson, Mariners.
In 2009 his UZR was 14.0 with an UZR/150 of 20.4
Career UZR at SS is 43.6 with an UZR/150 at 5.9
2009 Fielding percentage was .975 while the league fld% was .973
Offense in 2009: BA: .255 OBP: .292 SLG: .362 OPS: .6541 OPS+: 74

Derek Jeter, Yankees.
In 2009 his UZR was 6.6 with an UZR/150 of 8.4
Career UZR at SS is -33.2 with an UZR/150 at -4.6
2009 Fielding percentage was .986 while the league fld% was .972
Offense in 2009: BA: .334 OBP: .406 SLG: .465 OPS: .871 OPS+: 132

Jimmy Rollins, Phillies.
In 2009 his UZR was 2.7 with an UZR/150 of 2.9
Career UZR at SS is 40.0 with an UZR/150 at 5.1
2009 Fielding percentage was .990 while the league fld% was .974
Offense in 2009: BA: .250 OBP: .296 SLG: .423 OPS: .719 OPS+: 86

Marco Scutaro, Red Sox.
In 2009 his UZR was 0.9 with an UZR/150 of 1.0
Career UZR at SS is -8.1 with an UZR/150 at -2.9
2009 Fielding percentage was .984 while the league fld% was .972
Offense in 2009: BA: .282 OBP: .379 SLG: .409 OPS: .789 OPS+: 111

Jason Bartlett, Rays.
In 2009 his UZR was -5.5 with an UZR/150 of -6.8
Career UZR at SS is 30.3 with an UZR/150 at 8.4
2009 Fielding percentage was .962 while the league fld% was .972
Offense in 2009: BA: .320 OBP: .389 SLG: .490 OPS: .879 OPS+: 129

[Dogdaze]

Below are comparisons of third basemen for various teams, mentioned in this thread as being good defensively listed in the order of how they ranked in each position from their UZR/150 stats in 2009. I’ve also listed career UZR, fielding % and 2009 offense.

Third Base:

Adrian Beltre, Red Sox.
In 2009 his UZR was 14.3 with an UZR/150 of 21.0
Career UZR at 3rd base is 104.5 with an UZR/150 at 13.9
2009 Fielding percentage was .959 while the league fld% was .957
Offense in 2009: BA: .265 OBP: .304 SLG: .379 OPS: .683 OPS+: 82

Evan Longoria, Rays.
In 2009 his UZR at 2nd was 19.5 with an UZR/150 of 19.2
Career UZR at 3rd base is 33.4 with an UZR/150 at 19.6
2009 Fielding percentage was .970 while the league fld% was .957
Offense in 2009: BA: .281 OBP: .364 SLG: .526 OPS: .889 OPS+: 130

Chone Figgins, Mariners.
In 2009 his UZR was 16.7 with an UZR/150 of 18.8
Career UZR at 3rd base is 23.4 with an UZR/150 at 8.0
2009 Fielding percentage was .968 while the league fld% was .957
Offense in 2009: BA: .298 OBP: .395 SLG: .393 OPS: .789 OPS+: 108

Placido Polanco, Phillies.
In 2009 he did not play 3rd base, he last played 3rd in 2005.
Career UZR at 3rd base is 11.7 with an UZR/150 at 9.9
2009 Fielding percentage is N/A for 3rd base.
Offense in 2009: BA: .285 OBP: .331 SLG: .396 OPS: .727 OPS+: 88

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees.
In 2009 his UZR was -8.6 with an UZR/150 of -11.7
Career UZR at 3rd base is -11.5 with an UZR/150 at -2.2
2009 Fielding percentage was .967 while the league fld% was .957
Offense in 2009: BA: .286 OBP: .402 SLG: .532 OPS: .933 OPS+: 147

[Dogdaze]

Below are comparisons of catchers for various teams, mentioned in this thread as being good defensively. I’ve also listed fielding % and 2009 offense.

UZR doesn’t measure catcher defense, but I found an article thats pretty good in evaluating Catchers defense, where they total various catcher stats to create a runs above/below averages ranking. Here’s a link; http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/20...nse-filling-in

Here’s how the catchers ranked in 2009 based on the above article.

Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
Ranks # 8 in catchers defense per above article. Total runs above/below average saved = 5.4
2009 Fielding percentage was .995 while the league fld% was .993
Offense in 2009: BA: .255 OBP: .355 SLG: .425 OPS: .780 OPS+: 104

Dioner Navarro, Rays
Ranks # 45 in catchers defense per above article. Total runs above/below average saved = 0.4
2009 Fielding percentage was .994 while the league fld% was .992
Offense in 2009: BA: .218 OBP: .261 SLG: .322 OPS: .583 OPS+: 52

Victor Matinez, Red Sox
Ranks # 85 in catchers defense per above article. Total runs above/below average saved = -1.6
2009 Fielding percentage was .992 while the league fld% was .992
Offense in 2009: BA: .303 OBP: .381 SLG: .480 OPS: .861 OPS+: 127

Rob Johnson, Mariners
Ranks # 87 in catchers defense per above article. Total runs above/below average saved = -1.8
2009 Fielding percentage was .993 while the league fld% was .992
Offense in 2009: BA: .213 OBP: .289 SLG: .326 OPS: .615 OPS+: 65

Jorge Posada, Yankees
Ranks # 109 in catchers defense per above article. Total runs above/below average saved = -5.9
2009 Fielding percentage was .990 while the league fld% was .992
Offense in 2009: BA: .285 OBP: .363 SLG: .522 OPS: .885 OPS+: 133

[Dogdaze]

Based on the 2009 UZR/150 figures for each infielder and adding up their defensive runs saved or lost and totaling for each teams infield, here’s how they rank;

Mariners = +50
Red Sox = +46.2
Ray’s = +37.4
Phillies = +30.7 (Used Polanco’s career UZR/150)
Yankees = -12.5

[SamtheBravesFan]

The strange thing about the Yankees UZR/150 is that Derek Jeter has the only positive ranking. That's creepy.

[Cubsfan97]

Deciding on offense, I totally take the Phillies. The Yankees are a close close 2nd. Boston has a good right side, but Scutaro and Beltre do not scare me like Philly and NYY does. As far as defense, I did not pay close enough attention.

[Dogdaze]

The strange thing about the Yankees UZR/150 is that Derek Jeter has the only positive ranking. That's creepy.

The Yankees did finish with a -12.5 defensive runs lost in 2009, but spread out over 162 games isn't a big deal, and with their potent infield offense, they more then made up for any liability on defense.

[Zagi-CRO]

Zagi, where in the world do you get the idea that Omar Infante is going to be Atlanta's starting second baseman??? I don't think you have any excuses now for these kinds of mistakes.

hahahaha.... I dont know!!! A terrible mistake, I must to admit - but it's not MY IDEA ---> look at:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/atl/depthchart

Who is gonna be the 2B?

[dominik]

The Yankees did finish with a -12.5 defensive runs lost in 2009, but spread out over 162 games isn't a big deal, and with their potent infield offense, they more then made up for any liability on defense.

Yeah defense is not so much of a factor(if it isn't atrocious like adam dunn). Offense is much more important and in this department the yankees are clearly ahead. In fact the IF is the best part of the yankees(and their pitching and OF ist also good).

combined ops+(w/o catcher)
Yankees: 139
Rays: 133
sox:112
philly:112

[Imgran]

hahahaha.... I dont know!!! A terrible mistake, I must to admit - but it's not MY IDEA ---> look at:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/atl/depthchart

Who is gonna be the 2B?

If they don't have an in-house candidate better than Infante, last time I checked Felipe Lopez was still looking for a job.

[gman5431]

Cincy's starting shortstop is almost certainly going to be Orlando Cabrera.

Right and Drew Sutton is a second baseman anyway.

Never the less i voted the Phils.

G Rizzle