With the lowest total of errors at the 3B position and the highest fielding percentage in the AL at the position, Joe Crede has obviously been effective at third base for the Twins in 2009. There's a new metric that's taken more seriously, though, and this is called the UZR.
Crede is a very valuable Minnesota Twin offensively. Relative to where he hits in the order, his numbers are solid to the point where any team would be happy to have such numbers later in the lineup. His fielding has been better though.
To build on the UZR, there's a stat called the UZR 150, which goes to show how many runs a player has cost or saved his team over the span of 150 games played at a certain position. Crede's UZR is about 27 runs per 150 games at 3B. To put it into perspective, the next best in the AL after Crede there is Adrian Beltre, at around 17.
This raises the question: Are we, as bloggers, taking Crede's defense for granted? Do we realize just how valuable Joe Crede is to this team?
Crede gets very little respect for what he does. He's a solid hitter and people recognize this, but virtually no one ever discusses his efficient play as a third baseman. He's simply been phenomenal this year.
Crede should be the hands down favorite for the Gold Glove, and I'm going to predict that he won't win it. It's the nature of the beast when it comes to these things.
Unfortunately, the Twins get little respect when it comes down to voting. Look at snubs like Luis Castillo, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer, all of whom deserved Gold Gloves and never got them.
The Gold Glove voters are biased, as are the All-Star voters. This would also explain whyCarlos Gomezdid not win a Gold Glove last year, despite being the best defensive CF in the Major League Baseball - along withGrady Sizemore.
Crede is a very valuable Minnesota Twin offensively. Relative to where he hits in the order, his numbers are solid to the point where any team would be happy to have such numbers later in the lineup. His fielding has been better though.
To build on the UZR, there's a stat called the UZR 150, which goes to show how many runs a player has cost or saved his team over the span of 150 games played at a certain position. Crede's UZR is about 27 runs per 150 games at 3B. To put it into perspective, the next best in the AL after Crede there is Adrian Beltre, at around 17.
This raises the question: Are we, as bloggers, taking Crede's defense for granted? Do we realize just how valuable Joe Crede is to this team?
Crede gets very little respect for what he does. He's a solid hitter and people recognize this, but virtually no one ever discusses his efficient play as a third baseman. He's simply been phenomenal this year.
Crede should be the hands down favorite for the Gold Glove, and I'm going to predict that he won't win it. It's the nature of the beast when it comes to these things.
Unfortunately, the Twins get little respect when it comes down to voting. Look at snubs like Luis Castillo, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer, all of whom deserved Gold Gloves and never got them.
The Gold Glove voters are biased, as are the All-Star voters. This would also explain whyCarlos Gomezdid not win a Gold Glove last year, despite being the best defensive CF in the Major League Baseball - along withGrady Sizemore.
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