2nd rate among first baseman. Ranking anywhere from 20-9 among qualified 1B in OPS. 200 OPS points off the leaders. That is 2nd rate. You're far too generous if you think that's an elite 1B. Defense matters to bud! defense at 1b doesn't matter that much. bud. Ha ok how so? if it's that important, why is it the place to put fat, unathletic guys who don't have another position? it's clearly the easiest defensive position to play. First base is definitely the easiest position to play at an average level. Anybody can be stuck there, take throws, and not be terrible there, which is why several would be DH's end up playing at first. However, Lee adds a lot of value defensively over a guy who is just average there. From being one of the best at picking balls out of the dirt, the long stretch that helps the ball get there slightly faster for close plays at first, and the ability to stop balls on either side of him from getting through, especially potential doubles down the line adds up to a pretty good addition of value. So the difference between an average first baseman and a replacement level first baseman defensively is probably the smallest of any of the positions (and therefore just about anybody can play there), but the difference between elite and average can be quite a bit.