Defense

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Our defense has been pretty great. Let's talk about how great it is.

 

We currently rank first in UZR with 14.7; second place is at 9.2. We also rank first in DRS with 13; second place is at 10.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=21,d

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=8,d

 

If you were to look at the major league leaders in UZR across all positions, we have 5 of the top 20 in MLB. (This is a little silly, since we are mixing in all positions, and this stat measures guys against other guys at their position, on a position-by-position basis. It's also an incredibly small sample size, yada yada yada. But, whatever, it shows we've had a bunch of defensive standouts.)

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=23,d

 

There's no UZR for catcher defense. But, David Ross does rank 6th among catchers in DRS.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=10,d

And, more importantly, according to StatCorner, Montero ranks 2nd in pitch framing and Ross ranks 12th. The Cubs' total 5.1 framing runs above average is best in the majors.

http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

 

The one downer: Jorge Soler. Boy, is he terrible. I'm starting to dislike him more for his putrid defense than his underwhelming offense, because he is preventing us from featuring an All-Glove lineup.

 

That leads into my question. What's the lineup defensively when Javy inevitably starts taking more ABs from Jorge? It should be Javy at second and Zobrist to left. But, we seem to have made a pact with Zobrist to leave him put. So, now we have to move our studly third baseman out to left and put Javy at third, which Joe has been doing more often. Or we could keep Bryant at third and let Javy start handling the outfield. Either probably works fine, since we get rid of Jorge's glove. But Javy is so dynamic that he pretty much has to play in the infield. And Bryant has been so good defensively at third, that it is tough to lose some of that value by sticking him in a corner outfield spot.

[KaiserCesar]

My plan would be to play Bryant in the outfield 1 day per week with Javy at 3rd. Javy can get the rest of his time on Zobrist and Russell off days.

 

After that, I'd look to Szczur in LF against any starting pitcher with tough breaking stuff. That would probably give him a couple of starts per week at least. When Soler starts, keep bringing Szczur in during the 7th inning for defense.

 

After the all star break, check in on Almora. If ready, call him up by the first week of August to get a good read on whether he could contribute in the playoffs.

[David]

if we had almora in CF and fowler in LF, we might never even allow a hit in the outfield

[Aaron_Kennelly]

if we had almora in CF and fowler in LF, we might never even allow a hit in the outfield

 

Late-inning defense, in the playoffs:

1B - Rizzo

2B - Baez

SS - Russell

3B - Bryant

LF - Fowler

CF - Almora

RF - Heyward

 

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/glee/images/3/3e/Drooling_homer.gif/revision/latest?cb=20121116203004

[Omar]

if we had almora in CF and fowler in LF, we might never even allow a hit in the outfield

 

Late-inning defense, in the playoffs:

1B - Rizzo

2B - Baez

SS - Russell

3B - Bryant

LF - Fowler

CF - Almora

RF - Heyward

 

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/glee/images/3/3e/Drooling_homer.gif/revision/latest?cb=20121116203004

 

and of course, Ross at catcher.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

if we had almora in CF and fowler in LF, we might never even allow a hit in the outfield

 

Late-inning defense, in the playoffs:

1B - Rizzo

2B - Baez

SS - Russell

3B - Bryant

LF - Fowler

CF - Almora

RF - Heyward

 

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/glee/images/3/3e/Drooling_homer.gif/revision/latest?cb=20121116203004

 

and of course, Ross at catcher.

 

And Jake Arrieta on the mound, finishing off his shutout. Gold Glove-caliber defense all over.