01-06-2009, 01:45 AM
When dealing with players as old as Ibanez, it's not relevant to factor in how he did years ago. His age has a major effect on his fielding, especially his range. Yeah, he had decent range in 2006.
In 2006, Alf stole 41 bases. Think either of them are gonna match those '06 performances next season?
Go look up the grades by The Fielding Bible for last year. Ibanez was the 3rd worst LFer in baseball according to their unbelievably thorough analysis. Worse than Manny. Dunn wasn't even listed in 2008 as being one of the bad LFers (although he <i>was</i> near the top/bottom of that list in previous years.)
It's a moot point as far as the Cubs are concerned. But I'd rather have the 28 year old, improving-with-the-glove Dunn in the field than the 37 year-old, quickly slipping Ibanez.
In 2006, Alf stole 41 bases. Think either of them are gonna match those '06 performances next season?
Go look up the grades by The Fielding Bible for last year. Ibanez was the 3rd worst LFer in baseball according to their unbelievably thorough analysis. Worse than Manny. Dunn wasn't even listed in 2008 as being one of the bad LFers (although he <i>was</i> near the top/bottom of that list in previous years.)
It's a moot point as far as the Cubs are concerned. But I'd rather have the 28 year old, improving-with-the-glove Dunn in the field than the 37 year-old, quickly slipping Ibanez.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance