10-08-2009, 08:53 PM
<!--quoteo(post=66026:date=Oct 8 2009, 07:19 PM:name=savant)-->QUOTE (savant @ Oct 8 2009, 07:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66019:date=Oct 8 2009, 04:26 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Oct 8 2009, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=66018:date=Oct 8 2009, 04:21 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 8 2009, 04:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Yeah, that's a pretty good approach. The other type of player we need to develop are the up-the-middle types. It's so hard to acquire a good catcher, shortstop, and to an extent centerfielder. Second base isn't very easy either.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I agree with that 100%. If you look at all the best teams in baseball, they are all solid up the middle. You really can't have a good defensive team without emphasizing C, SS and CF, and if you have a lot of turnover in those areas, it makes it doubly tough to win year in and year out. I like the direction the organization is going in that regard.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It is a small pet peeve of mine, but there is almost no difference defensively between a shortstop and a secondbaseman. The amount of chances on a year to year basis is very similar, and really the only difference is that the shortstop has to have more arm, although a secondbaseman needs a lot of arm for making plays to his right.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To me it isn't just having a stronger arm, but the SS needs to be athletic enough and have the right instincts to be able to turn some of the tougher DPs on a daily basis. For example, Theriot blows at that.
I agree with that 100%. If you look at all the best teams in baseball, they are all solid up the middle. You really can't have a good defensive team without emphasizing C, SS and CF, and if you have a lot of turnover in those areas, it makes it doubly tough to win year in and year out. I like the direction the organization is going in that regard.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It is a small pet peeve of mine, but there is almost no difference defensively between a shortstop and a secondbaseman. The amount of chances on a year to year basis is very similar, and really the only difference is that the shortstop has to have more arm, although a secondbaseman needs a lot of arm for making plays to his right.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To me it isn't just having a stronger arm, but the SS needs to be athletic enough and have the right instincts to be able to turn some of the tougher DPs on a daily basis. For example, Theriot blows at that.