Does Soriano Take The Field Today, and.........
is his defense really that much of a liability? At first glance he most certainly is as Jeff Brantly put it "the worst 2nd baseman in the National League." I have an argument FOR his defense though, I'd love opinions as I may be way off base here, but you could make the argument that not only is he good to have at 2nd (not necessarily a *good* 2b'man) he *may* be a better option than Vidro at 2nd base. Before you slam me, hear me out.......
Soriano averages .3 more assists per game, which leads directly to 48.6 more outs over a 162 game season, or 45.9 over the 153 games Soriano played at 2B last season. For Soriano's errors to completly offset this, compared to Vidro, he'd have to commit 48 (or 45) more durring the season. In 2005, Soriano committed 21 errors. An astronomic number, I grant you. HOWEVER, Vidro committed 5, but in just over half as many games as Soriano (79 v. 153). So let's say, over the same 153 game stretch, Vidro would commit 9 errors. 21-9 = 12. 12 < 48.6 (or 45.9). Therefore, while Soriano's errors are annoying, they are offset by his superior range. Watch a Jeff Kent play 2B. Unless a ball is basically hit directly at him, he ain't getting to it. In 1996, Barry larkin committed 17 errors at SS, for a mediocre .967%fp.... granted, you get MANY more opps at SS and it's almost comparing apples and oranges with differing positions, but Larking won the NL gold glove that year.....
Re: Does Soriano Take The Field Today, and.........