Going forward, what about A-Rod’s defense?
January 8, 2010, 2:45 pm by iYankees · 24 Comments
In 2008, Alex Rodriguez’s defense at third base had declined significantly.
Though his UZR was a respectable -2.6 — basically an average mark — a significant portion of that figure was masked by Alex’s ability to refrain from making errors, as he was worth 3.1 error runs (ErrR) above average. A player’s UZR is a three-pronged statistic calculated by adding error runs, double play runs, and range runs together. While A-Rod was fairly effective in the way of avoiding errors and average in double play runs (-1.0 DPR), ultimately, it was his range that had betrayed him. Alex was 5.6 runs below average with regards to range runs, which was the second worst mark in the American League and the second worst in all of baseball. Further, the number was actually the worst of A-Rod’s four-year career at third base. Thus, his final UZR figure of -2.6, while generally “average” on the surface, was troubling when viewed at season’s end.
For those who wondered about the off-year, range-wise, questions regarding the 33-year old’s age seemed salient. The Yankees’ third baseman did, however, suffer from a quad injury in late April, which he basically tried to play through until he re-aggravated the injury in May, so perhaps that quad strain was the cause for Alex’s troubles. It was certainly a circumstance that was capable of influencing his range, although it would not necessarily account for his range struggles for the remainder of the season (unless he was continuing to play hurt all year).
Then, of course, earlier this year, we learned of Alex’s hip problems including a cyst and a more serious labral tear brought on by a misshapen femur head, an injury which reportedly hindered him, at times, in 2008. The discovery, along with the quad injury, certainly seemed to explain, at least in part, the lack of range witnessed throughout much of the previous season. Rather than worry about age in relation to defense, injury appeared to be the main culprit as it must have influenced A-Rod’s overall mobility. Of course, age is still an issue with regards to defensive decline, but for 2008, it did not appear to be the overriding issue. Alex later had surgery in March to resolve the tear and partially correct the bone impingement that had caused it. While many worried about his offensive production upon his return, his defense was also a concern.
After a successful rehabilitation program, Alex returned to the team in May and, even from a subjective point of view, it was fairly easy to see that his range at third was extremely diminished. Whether this was brought on from the recovery period after his surgery, the lack of a spring training, the change in his offseason routine, understandable injury apprehension, or a combination of the four factors, his defense was definitely taxing (especially without an adequate defensive backup earlier in the season), though it did seem to improve — maybe with his hip — as the season wore on (from what I can tell, there is no UZR per month measure, so the noted improvement is based on my individual perceptions). At the end of the 2009 season, Alex’s final UZR stood at -8.6, which was a career low at third base, and a negative number generated mainly by being 9.8 range runs below average. At his position, Alex’s UZR was the worst in the American League, while his lack of range and relative immobility was second only to Texas’ Michael Young (-13.1), who was playing third base regularly for the first time in his career.
So, what’s to make of this, really? Well, over the past two seasons, Alex Rodriguez, at least in terms of actual range, has been one of the worst defenders at his position. The defensive downturn is, however, understandable in that lower half injuries, and, specifically, a balky right hip, have had a significant negative impact on Alex’s ability to man the hot corner. Though he does not need to undergo a second surgical procedure in order to further the health of his hip, one still wonders how the injury, as well as the “hybrid surgery” employed to correct the injury, might have affected A-Rod’s mobility in 2010 and beyond. He could, of course, rebound with a clean bill of health in tow, but, what if his range is similar to that of 2008 or 2009 (I doubt he could be as bad as he was in ’09)? That would be an issue, although, with his bat, the Yankees could easily live with his 2008 range.
In the end, it will be interesting to see how A-Rod’s defense plays out for the Yankees this season, post-hip problems and at the age of 34 (going on 35). Alex is signed through 2017, so if his defense continues to slide as a result of his recent lower half injuries, it could become a long-term question that the team may have to address via a position shift (it won’t happen anytime soon, if at all, as his offensive value is intimately tied to his play at third). However, to prepare for the defensive worst in the immediate future, the Yankees’ 2010 bench should probably consist of a good glove that can play third base, just in case Alex’s mobility at the hot corner is overly limited.
Photo by Greg Flume/Getty Images
I think that spot is already filled by Ramiro Pena, with his 12.5 UZR/150 at third base. He also went .333/.375/.367 while replacing A-Rod after the failed Cody Ransom experiment. It’s a small sample size, but I’ll take that replacement every now and then.
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Pena is the good glove utility infielder. Showed a decent bat last year also.
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Yea, I’m hoping he gets the job. Probably won’t be confirmed until after the spring.
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I really don’t see Pena taking that many ABs away from Alex, he isn’t that kind of player and his defense doesn’t make up for it, also considering we signed Nick Johnson to DH unless he gets hurt we are going to need him in the lineup hitting 2nd so to lose him in the lineup for Alex to DH means we have to add Pena to the 9th hole and Cano or Granderson has to hit in the 2 hole. There may be some replacements but I doubt Alex gets half as many rest days next year as last, his mobility and range should improve a year away from the surgery anyway.
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The problem with Alex and position change is the only reasonable spot to move him to is the outfield but the guy hates pop flys in the infield and can barley stand under them to catch them and often defers to Jeter to catch said pop flys so how can he be a an outfiedler? Other than the only place he could move to his full time DH, lets hope his defense at 3rd holds up well enough to justify his bat in the that spot because the other choices aren’t great.
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Yeah I noticed that too. Remember when he let a pop up drop and looked at jeter?
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He’s never liked them and has even admitted having problems with pop ups, he has the arm and the bat to have a future in RF but if you can’t catch a pop up ho are you going to track down balls in the outfield?
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Yeah I don’t see him anywhere else in the field. Yankees can live with limited range there for awhile. Then it’s DH aroid and he can really bulk up with his cousin.
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Classless joke…
Do you have no skeletons in your closet? I sure as hell do. You want them brought up everyday on the internet by some kid you don’t even know and doesn’t know exactly what happened or what you were thinking?
Why does baseball give people the right to think of themselves as better than someone else or with an attitude of benevolence, stick to the sports talk and leave the trash talk to the classes fans of which I know you aren’t Twasp.
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A-Roid? SO original. How did you think of that joke? Great. Just a great joke. I mean it. So funny and delightful. Great…
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I love arod – my point was without being in the field – he wouldn’t have to worry about flexibility/ agility as much and he could bulk up even more – I honestly don’t care about his drug use.
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Calm down Jim it wasn’t a joke. He might still be using something I don’t care.
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Hmmmm, if you “don’t care” and it wasn’t a joke then why even type ‘Aroid’?
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Ok you got me Ted . I should have typed ste-rod. Seriously guys loosen up. Do you really care that he did steroids? We won the championship! Pass the boli – I mean – champagne. (you like that one better Jim?)
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Still no response on why you typed it…
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Guys it’s not that terrible a thing that arod did steroids. You don’t think ramirez and big papi weren’t doing them. Probably most of the power guys did them . And if pressure to perform to his paycheck led him to do it then you can bet he not only did it with Texas but Also with the Yankees So? He leveled the playing field . All those guys were just looking for and edge to be the best they can be while baseball was turning a blind eye to it. It’s not that bad a thing. Believe me arod could give a rats ass that anyone is calling him aroid. He’s living the good life.
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Is “move ARod from 3B” the new “ARod is teh unclutch”? Why can’t we just be happy to have one of the greatest hitters of all-time at 3B, even if his defense is slightly below average.
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Exactly- does every player have to be perfect. Especially arod – who is probably the best 6 tool player of all time. 1. Hit-yes (led league in ba) 2. Hit with power ( will end career with most hrs of all time) 3. run (excellent baserunner) 4. Field (gold gloves – at ss no less- toughest position to play) 5. Throw( a gun) 6. I forget what 6 is?
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Arod is one of the best atheletes in baseball ,he was injured had surgery and came back and led his team to win the world series.I think his range will improve this year with time for his hip to fully heal.That said he wont win a gold glove ,but he will be better.Twasp its 5 tools.
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You da man, ballpark. I heard scouts are now using the term 6 tools but I can’t remember what the 6 th attribute was? Does anyone know?
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Thank you Twasp, if you find a 6th tool you will be famous kind of like a 6th sense lol.
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Hey ballpark I just remembered. It was those sabremetrics guys talking about OBP. And how some players have the skill of working the count and getting walks like cust, giambi.. That’s the new 6th tool. We’ve got two of the best Nick Johnson and Swisher.
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Why do you think I called him Aroid?
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