Yankees falling apart. We are watching the beginning of the end.
MLB Postseason
- Thread starter UGLI baby
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GVC
Well-Known Member
The dude's been one of the worst defensive shortstops for years and is wildly overpaid.
fatchipper
Well-Known Member
GVC
Well-Known Member
Those who have half a clue about measurement agree with me. Why should I care about what morons think?
Dude's still a valuable player, yes, but he's barely cracked the top 10 in WAR among MLB shortstops the last 3 years, while making over $53mm. There are plenty of fans of teams with better shortstops who don't want Jeter on their team, even if only for the $$.
candrew
Well-Known Member
Yes, I read the study. It's 7 years old. And since then his defense has improved considerably - even Bill James attested to that.
Let's put it this way, at the balls he's able to get to he's an excellent SS. That may not be enough for you; but it's enough for the people who watch him play day in, day out.
GVC
Well-Known Member
What study? I'm looking at defensive metrics for the most recent seasons. He's a below average defensive shortstop right now. While current "advanced" defensive metrics are far from perfect, they're a hell of a lot more meaningful than fielding percentage. Even if you ignore defense (and base running) entirely though, Jeter ranks 4th in wOBA and 5th in wRC+ among qualified shortstops over the last 3 years (11th in WAR). Good ranks, obviously, but it's not a stretch to say that there are some fans out there who wouldn't want Jeter on their team (ignoring the loads of fans who don't want him on their team for irrational reasons), especially factoring in his contract (that is, I never claimed he sucked).
trigg3r
Well-Known Member
Anyone who believes Jeter is a good defensive shortstop is delusional. Anyone who points towards gold gloves as evidence is equally delusional. Gold gloves have as much to do with your bat in the last 15 years as anything. Would I take Jeter as my shortstop over a career? Of course. But the metrics prove he is not an elite defensive shortstop like some Yankee fans seem to think he was. Does he make fewer errors than a Starlin Castro? Sure he does. He also couldn't even dream of getting to balls that Castro makes plays on.
Boondocksaint27
Active Member
I'm a tried and true Yankee hater, but I have nothing but respect for Jeter. Defensively he's always been a little limited, but he has a nose for the ball and a high baseball IQ that allows him to make special plays in the field (like the throw against Oakland in the 02, I believe, divisional round to nail Giambi at the plate). Offensively he's clutch and he doesn't rattle. An all-around special player. He's dropped off defensively more in the latter years, but I'd still want him at the plate in a key situation. It's a shame he got injured, but I am enjoying watching A-Fraud, Granderson, and Cano's offensive ineptitude.
trigg3r
Well-Known Member
All of the above is absolutely true about Jeter. High baseball IQ, fantastic offensive player, and makes the plays that he should make.