(Head scratch) … It is clear how to incorporate it, it’s just not easy or necessarily linear to incorporate it. I think it’s pretty clear that if the will was there, a database of “known injuries” could be maintained over time. Sounds like a grab bag of discrete variables to me. From there, they just need to be incorporated into a non-linear model (or heck, a linear one might even work).

We could call it IZRD, Injury Zone Rating of Defense. And it would be glorious, except for its high variance from year to year.

They are supposed to looking at SS to move Guzman. Other then Scutaro, all are low OBP guys. They may not want to shift Zimmerman because Espinosa and Desmond look good in the minors, but they might be able to shift to 2d after Guzman is gone.

The detractors who attribute the low 2008 numbers to injury are only partially correct. It should be better explained as to how the injury affected his defense and how that impact shows up in his numbers.

Healthy Zimmerman is a freak of nature. He gets such a good jump on balls hit to his left that his range extends across the SS position. This combined with his arm strength allows him to guard the line better than most 3Bs. The injury really hurt his ability to bring his glove hand to his body to transfer the ball to his throwing hand. The psychological effects are probably as damning as the physical. It also forced him to play more shallow and wide of the line.

When he is healthy, Zimmerman is the most graceful third baseman of our generation. Evan Longoria is the mechanic: he makes every play in his zone confidently and quietly, then let’s his bat do the talking. Zimmerman is the innovator, using every ounce of his physical ability to make every play possible, making a few more “wow” plays in the process.

Longoria is Montana, Zimmerman is Favre… there is no right answer as to who is “better” defensively. Both have far superior physical tools than their peers and apply them prominently for 27 outs each game. Both will be Gold Glove defenders for a long time. Poz isn’t arguing that Zimmerman is better, or that the UZR numbers are wrong; he is theorizing that Zimmerman’s abilities could make him a better defender, and a player that will be recognized more for his defense than offense.

Watch him charge a bunt, it is a thing of beauty.

He was pretty terrible after that, reducing his value to 0, or possibly a large negative number.

I use words like “can”, “may”, “likely”, “seemingly”, “perhaps” quite a bit when talking of things that are heavily based on perceptions, preferences, and interpretations … since we will likely never “know”. At least not “know” past a certain degree of confidence or probability.

In terms of Zimmerman & Longoria, it doesn;t matter to me. They’re both outstanding fielders and players. I don’t NEED to know which one is “better” based on whatever metrics we try to piece together and weight to come up with a ‘definitive’. Now, I will say that I appreciate that someone (you) would try to compare them to see who’s “better”.

Most of all I wanted to post and compliment JoeP (I used to live in KC from 95-01) for saying “probably”.

If you can’t be thankful for the ability to watch 2 young players this talented, you need to throw your television out the window right now, because it has nothing better to offer you.

Enjoy your day, everyone.