2B 712 9
3B 716 2
LF 368 -13
CF 1553 -3
RF 705 11
OF 2607 -0.6

Great 2B/3B, so-so OF. He broke the wrong way on a lot of flies/line drives.

While mentioning Astros, I can’t pass over Caig Biggio. He came up as a catcher and was converted to 2d base after several ML seasons. Late in his career, he was shifted to CF (when Kent was acquired) and then LF (when Beltran was acquired). The UZR numbers unfortunately can only show us Biggio defensive numbers for a period late in his career after he had lost some of his speed. He is -11.6 in CF and -2.6 at 2d base. Reportedly he was viewed as an excellent CF fielder when he played spring games at the position early in his career. The Astros decided to move him from catcher in order to “save his legs” and maximize his base sealing; they had the choice of moving him to CF or 2d base, and they chose 2d base, probably because they felt he would be more valuable in that role.

Back to your reference to Burke. Phil Garner touted Chris Burke’s CF ability, and he played CF in several World Series games for the Astros. The Astros felt good enough about Burke’s defensive ability to trade Willy Taveras and hand Burke the CF job in 2007. Burke had some rocky defensive games early in the season, which probably caused the bad RZR result. Burke may have been pressing, since he knew that Hunter Pence was tearing it up as a CF in AAA, and Burke was replaced by Pence after a month or so. Based on that background, you may be correct that Burke can play an average or better CF.

Last year during a Marlins game they showed a play of his from the Mexican league that may have been the best play I ever saw. (I know even bad fielders make “web gem” style plays)

Like Willie Boom-boom but he can actually field all the positions well… +10.4 at SS and +15.6 at CF is just crazy.

Jerry Hairston (career number for data with UZR available):
Pos Inn UZR/150
2B 2210.1 4.9
3B 55.2 -3.7
SS 288 -15.2
LF 448.2 16.2
CF 815.2 9.1
RF 356.1 3.1
OF 1620.2 9.4

Above average defensive 2B as well as above average CF.

No mention of Willie Bloomquist? Are his samples at each position too small to be worthwhile?

Pos Inn UZR/150
1B 118.1 -14.2
2B 598.2 3.0
3B 719.1 -6.8
SS 725.1 2.3
LF 224.2 -13.4
CF 626.2 -9.1
RF 131.1 3.5

Another good example would be Craig Biggio. In 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007 he played 4407.2 innings at 2B putting up 4.6, -5.7, 1.3 and -11.9 UZR/150 marks respectively for a total of -2.6. In 2003 and 2004 he played 1883.2 innings of CF and put up a -11.7 UZR/150 combined. He also put up a -10.6 in LF in 654.1 innings in 2004.

In both cases the players were considerably worse at the CF and LF spots then they were playing 2B.

As far as Beltre moving from 3rd to 2nd it could be the same thing. He played at a very young age and while the scouts said he’d have enough glove to stick at 3rd why put him at second if he’s a work in progress at third. He wasn’t a good defender (just not enough expirience) out of the get go.

Tango, What are the things you think about? Just the values of each individual position?