Buck: "We're going to grind the heck out of the Rule 5 draft."

[Redskins Rick]

This is a lazy response. You're basically making a proclamation with no evidence to back it up, then -- when challenged on it -- still providing no evidence and instead asking someone else to do the legwork to prove you wrong.

According to FanGraphs, Flaherty has a career -4 defensive runs saved at shortstop. He has a negative UZR at both shortstop and third base. So the advanced defensive numbers (which are admittedly not perfect) indicate that he's not above average at either of those positions. I'd say he can play OK defense at short and third and is above average at 2B.

Now, back to you. What evidence is there that Flaherty can play above average defense at three positions?

How about Buck saying so, publically, and multiple times.

What does the fangraphs show for Flaherty at third in the post season, when the eye test, showed he played like Brooksie?

[Can_of_corn]

How about Buck saying so, publically, and multiple times.

What does the fangraphs show for Flaherty at third in the post season, when the eye test, showed he played like Brooksie?

I honestly don't know why folks take what Buck says at face value. Buck is concerned with his players not with being totally truthful at all times with the media and fan base.

Would you not be shocked if Buck said anything else about Flaherty's defense? He isn't going to say "Well our defense at short is taking a major hit with Hardy out, but Flaherty can kinda get the job done."

And he didn't play like Brooks.

[Redskins Rick]

I honestly don't know why folks take what Buck says at face value. Buck is concerned with his players not with being totally truthful at all times with the media and fan base.

Would you not be shocked if Buck said anything else about Flaherty's defense? He isn't going to say "Well our defense at short is taking a major hit with Hardy out, but Flaherty can kinda get the job done."

And he didn't play like Brooks.

Taking kind about one of your players is one thing. But, to go to the extent that he did and explain how blessed he was to have somebody like Ryan on his bench and what it does for him, goes beyond saying kind words.

And I wasn't the only person that thought Flaherty played outstanding defense in the post season.

[weams]

Taking kind about one of your players is one thing. But, to go to the extent that he did and explain how blessed he was to have somebody like Ryan on his bench and what it does for him, goes beyond saying kind words.

And I wasn't the only person that thought Flaherty played outstanding defense in the post season.

Ryan is an absolute defensive overachiever. He bats well in the post season.

[DrungoHazewood]

How about Buck saying so, publically, and multiple times.

What does the fangraphs show for Flaherty at third in the post season, when the eye test, showed he played like Brooksie?

No, he asked for evidence. That Buck says one of his nuggets is, like, totally awesome and stuff, is not evidence. It's PR and teambuilding.

[CA-ORIOLE]

According to FanGraphs, Flaherty has a career -4 defensive runs saved at shortstop. He has a negative UZR at both shortstop and third base. So the advanced defensive numbers (which are admittedly not perfect) indicate that he's not above average at either of those positions. I'd say he can play OK defense at short and third and is above average at 2B.

Now, back to you. What evidence is there that Flaherty can play above average defense at three positions?

DRS has him well above average at 3rd (+9 rate) and 2nd (+8 rate) and well below average at SS (-20 rate) with SS being the smallest sample size. TZ also has him above average at 3rd and 2nd.

[weams]

DRS has him well above average at 3rd (+9 rate) and 2nd (+8 rate) and well below average at SS (-20 rate) with SS being the smallest sample size. TZ also has him above average at 3rd and 2nd.

Thanks for doing the data work.

[El Gordo]

This is a lazy response. You're basically making a proclamation with no evidence to back it up, then -- when challenged on it -- still providing no evidence and instead asking someone else to do the legwork to prove you wrong.

According to FanGraphs, Flaherty has a career -4 defensive runs saved at shortstop. He has a negative UZR at both shortstop and third base. So the advanced defensive numbers (which are admittedly not perfect) indicate that he's not above average at either of those positions. I'd say he can play OK defense at short and third and is above average at 2B.

Now, back to you. What evidence is there that Flaherty can play above average defense at three positions?

This is a bit specious. Flaherty doesn't have enough innings at any position for defensive metrics to have any meaning.

[Can_of_corn]

This is a bit specious. Flaherty doesn't have enough innings at any position for defensive metrics to have any meaning.

So we have to rely on the "eye test"?

He isn't a plus defensively at short stop.

[El Gordo]

I honestly don't know why folks take what Buck says at face value. Buck is concerned with his players not with being totally truthful at all times with the media and fan base.

Would you not be shocked if Buck said anything else about Flaherty's defense? He isn't going to say "Well our defense at short is taking a major hit with Hardy out, but Flaherty can kinda get the job done."

And he didn't play like Brooks.

Are you old enough to even know? Maybe you can't trust what Buck says, but you can trust what he does. The only SS he plays over Flaherty is Hardy.

[Can_of_corn]

Are you old enough to even know? Maybe you can't trust what Buck says, but you can trust what he does. The only SS he plays over Flaherty is Hardy.

First off, that simply isn't true. Casiilla played there in 2013. Andino, Tolleson and Quintanilla played there in 2012.

Even if true, in what world does that equate to him being above average defensively there?

We know why he isn't going to play Manny there. What other shortstop was on the roster in 2014? Schoop? I don't think so.

[El Gordo]

So we have to rely on the "eye test"?

He isn't a plus defensively at short stop.

Says you. :rolleyestf: You need at least 2 years at a given position for defensive metrics to have any meaning. About 2500 Innings

[Can_of_corn]

Says you. :rolleyestf: You need at least 2 years at a given position for defensive metrics to have any meaning. About 2500 Innings

Why don't we just call Wieters a plus defensive shortstop? The numbers don't disprove it?

[El Gordo]

First off, that simply isn't true. Casiilla played there in 2013. Andino, Tolleson and Quintanilla played there in 2012.

Even if true, in what world does that equate to him being above average defensively there?

We know why he isn't going to play Manny there. What other shortstop was on the roster in 2014? Schoop? I don't think so.

I can remember Buck replacing both Quintinilla and Casilla with Flaherty for late inning defense. If he were a poor defensive SS, Buck would have DD get him a better one. I think I'll trust Buck's eye test over yours. :rolleyestf:

[Can_of_corn]

I can remember Buck replacing both Quintinilla and Casilla with Flaherty for late inning defense. If he were a poor defensive SS, Buck would have DD get him a better one. I think I'll trust Buck's eye test over yours. :rolleyestf:

I was just showing that, as usual, you post factual inaccuracies.

As for "getting him a better one" there isn't exactly an abundance of above average defensive shortstops. There is nothing wrong with having a utility guy that is plus (maybe) at second and third and average at short on the bench making 500K.

How often does Buck give his starters a rest? Oh yeah when they are hurt or suspended.