To keep the RL string going a bit, before I get slobberknockered by the HBD vets who have a better idea of the game.
He's a contrast, using Dave Kingman and Jessie Barfield, both RF, you would never confuse one for the other and I think for most casual baseball fans would have to admit that they would chose 99% of the time the fleet Barfield over the Immobile Kingman (as a Met in RF). Here is their best season based on WAR.
Barfiled 1986 WAR 7.3 .289 / .368 / .559 40 HR 107 R 108 RBI +++ DEF 1408 inn 391 chances 368 po 20 asst 3 e 8 dp .992 fld 2.48 rng fact (GG and SS)
Kingman 1976 WAR 2.4 .238 / .286 / .506 37 HR 70 R 86 RBI +++ DEF 907.2 inn 212 chances 194 ps 10 asst 8 e 0 dp .962 fld 1.92 rng fact
I submit that of course Barfields season was significantly better, but assuming all of our teams don't have three AS level players I submit that mike's take is correct, I would have moved barfield to left, and used kingman in right, the range factor is negliable over the course of a season, and could be mitigated by a late inning sub when in the lead. Kingmans lack of mobility (albiet with about 10 fewer starts in right) would contribute to lower chances. But HBD doesn't allow for real shifts in fielding and the kind of Tampa Bay Rays defensive moves to be simulated in the game.
I like to think that yes there is an ebb and flow component to the game that allows a guy to go on an extended hot streak, but I know each at bat is a single calculation regardless of the situation on the bases and who is in the field. You can wax romantic about the game all you like but it still comes down to: Calculation result hit or out, then apply variables for baserunners etc.