It’s fairly unclear as to what voters take into consideration when choosing winners of the gold glove award – the one stat that has consistently been used to determine a players fielding ability, has been fielding percentage. Fielding percentage basically takes the player’s total number of chances converted into outs (assists/put outs), then takes the total number of errors, and uses a simple equation to figure out what percentage of the time the particular player makes the plays.
Do it for Guti
Fielding percentage does a fine job of determining how well the player makes routine defensive plays, but it leaves much to be desired. Are making the routine plays (i.e. not booting the ball, dropping the ball, or letting the ball get through your legs) the only important aspect of being a good defensive player? Almost anyone would tell you that the answer is no, and they’ be right. Making the routine plays is but one small part of playing defense – the other 2 big ones being range, and arm accuracy/strength. That’s where UZR, or ultimate zone rating, comes in.
Here is the explanation of UZR via fangraphs.com: The number of runs above or below average a fielder is in both range runs, outfield arm runs, double play runs and error runs combined.
So yes, it still takes the routine plays into account, but it also brings range into the equation. Why is range important? Well, think about it. Which defensive player would you rather have on your team?
Player A, who never drops the ball, makes all the routine plays, but has no range and can’t run down anything in the gap/hole,
Or Player B, who makes the occasional error, but has excellent range and frequently chases down fly balls in the gap, robbing countless extra base hits?
If you said player B, you’ve made the right choice. But if someone were to only look at fielding percentage, player A would look like the superior defender.
If you’d prefer player A, you really need to stop and think about what aspects of defense are more valuable. If the gold glove voters are only looking at things like fielding percentage and reputations, they’re not getting anything close to the full picture, and they more than likely aren’t making good choices.
There have been so many undeserving gold glove winners in the recent future, that it has become more than apparent that the voters are not making informed decisions. FP and past statistics/reputation are both fine things to look at, but when it comes down to finding the truly excellent defenders, UZR is the stat to consider. It takes everything into account that makes a good defensive player, and it’s the only statistic out there that’s going to come close to telling the whole story. Defense has always been something that’s tough to quantify, but UZR manages to do a pretty damn good job of it.
Managers of baseball, please, before more deserving performances are overlooked, start paying attention to UZR. If you don’t know anything about UZR, get someone to explain it to you. If no one around you knows anything about UZR, hire someone who does. Thank you.
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Here here. I’m marching in your parade over this article.
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UZR shouldn’t even be needed to know that DTFT is the gold glove winner. Seeing is believing in this case. Best first step and routes I’ve SEEN in a long time, and he makes the flashy plays as well. He’s amazing, whether you’re judging with your eyes or going with the stats.
Couldn’t agree more, but I would bet that very few people outside of Seattle know that. This article isn’t just about Guti though, it’s a general statement.
What do you think it will take to pry Hardy from the Brewers. Also, how much do you think Fielder will be looking to be paid this upcoming year and beyond….
I wouldn’t understand why Z would want Jack who is older then Hardy and is more expensive. Especially since he talks so often about making this team better in the long term and short term. I think with how smart Z is, he would have to atleast look into getting Hardy. I imagine the Brewers will want pitching.
I guarantee you he’s looked into getting Hardy, and will continue to this off season. Just because he ended up acquiring Jack, doesn’t mean he didn’t try to acquire Hardy. I honestly don’t know what it would take to get him, but I think the Mariners are going to have to consider using Morrow as some sort of trade bait this winter.
Fielder is going to be looking to make a lot of money next season. Probably something along the lines of 3 or 4 years for $40-50 million, maybe more.
Ouch! I figured that is how much money he would want. He is better then Branyan and younger, but Branyan has similiar stats for a hell of a lot cheaper. We will just have to see what Z can pull of this off season man.
I think Gutz has a good chance at a GG this year. Torii missed a bunch of time, Adam Jones and Carlos Gomez as well, and Gutz has put on crazy fielding displays all over the place on the road. I think Ichiro is getting close to breaking his string of GGs, but perhaps I’m wrong.
As far as Prince, I think he gets more than 3-4 years. The Yankees won’t be bidding, which hurts, but the Red Sox figure to be in the thick of it.
I hope you’re right Jon, hell I’ll be happy as long as Torii Hunter doesn’t win it. As for Adam Jones, I don’t see why he’d even be in consideration – He’s been really bad defensively this year, and it’s not like he’s a past winner with a great defensive reputation.
And Chad, Jon brings up a good point to help illustrate why there’s virtually no chance of the Mariners signing Prince Fielder. He’s going to be the most coveted first baseman in the free agent market, and the Red Sox need a first baseman. Does anything else need to be said?
I can see something like 7 years/$128M as the low end for Prince. 40 HR, 100 BB, .300 BA guys are extremely rare. Of course, it all depends on the market for him. M’s will probably make a bid, but will they go all out? Hard to say.. we’ve yet to see Zduriencik aggressively pursue a Grade A FA.
Not sure why I threw Jones in there. I was rushing that comment. Replace Jones with Sizemore and it makes more sense.
Also, if we the fans can visually see how insanely good Guti is, I’m sure the managers who vote have been pulling their hair out time and time again after he’s tracked down should-be singles, doubles, triples and homers.
We can only hope, because God knows he deserves it. And what’s so ridiculous is that it isn’t even close. Upton is the closest and it’s something like 11 UZR vs. 25
The only reason Guti would not get it is because he is not a big name.
That’s correct.