I have a big hole at 3B. I just acquired a guy (player A) who doesn't have the arm, but who can rake. Defensive ratings 77 75 55 62. The guy I presently have at 2B (player B) is a real masher, nearly 600 career HR. His defensive ratings are 69 67 50 70. Not great numbers, but he has a gold glove and defensive stats are pretty good. Doesn't have the arm for 3b either. Well, one of them has to play third. Who would you pick?

move the 2B to LF and play that guy at 2B... At least thats what I'd do ;)

That's not an option. I have a two time MVP in LF and RF and 1B are covered. One has to play 2nd and the other 3rd. Not ideal fielders, I know. Just looking for opinions.

The guy with better range at 2nd.

And try to move the other guy for someone with a capable arm.

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Then I'd play the guy with better range/glove at 2nd base and the 69 67 50 70 guy at 3rd

Thanks, nauds3001. That's what I'm thinking. Not gonna have a Scott Rolen for sure, but that's what I've got to work with.

I'll give the contrarian opinion.

Neither guy is particularly suited for second, but Player B's arm would be an absolute disaster at third - Player A is no Brooks Robinson either, but at least he'll be able to stop the ball from leaving the infield (unless he tosses it past the 1B).

It seems to me that HBD has always been easier on 2Bs than it should be - range ratings seem to have less effect on 2Bs even though in RL they usually make more plays per game than SSs. Furthermore, a missed play by a 2B generally means a single, whereas a miss by a 3B could be a double. So ... given your situation I'd put Player A at third.

Alternatively, you could just sign Salazar to play 2B and steal bases. Or, since I have plenty of depth at MIF you could try to swing a deal for a 2B or an SS that could slide over to 3B. Lemme know if you're interested.

FINAL NOTE: Given the most recent update regarding plus plays, the above reasoning about 2B may no longer be valid - if they are going to be rewarding good fielding, they may start penalizing bad fielding as well.

Player B would easily be my choice for 3B, and I wouldn't think twice about the Arm Strength. His glove and AA are what's important, and they're both average-ish enough that he won't kill you over there.

I've not seen any example of AS being a factor at 3B (even thought it should be)....at least not manifested in the form of errors. Perhaps with the latest update you'll get more (-) plays in the form of weak throws? Up til now though, I've seen guys with AS at or below your guy do a passable job.

Quote: Originally Posted By nauds3001 on 12/03/2009Then I'd play the guy with better range/glove at 2nd base and the 69 67 50 70 guy at 3rd

Me, too. Meets or exceeds 3/4 recs for 3B (I think).

Good enough for 2-3 plays a game, imho.

Just curious... are either of these guys -handed?

I'm hesitant to answer because this update adding more +/- plays has scrambled my defensive thinking. I have guys that have gotten away with well below-average ratings at positions (particularly corner OF) and they'e suddenly racking up the negative plays. I also have an above-average defensive 1B who I never felt got his due, and he's finally putting up some + plays.

That said, I'd put the better range/glove guy at 2B, they touch the ball a lot more often than the 3B.

Both are right handed. I guess I'll just have to experiment. Last season I had a guy playing third who is nearly good enough to play SS, but he hit about .213. I'm thinking a big bat will outweigh a weak arm.

If it were me, I'd play http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1696457 at 3rd.

I'm not sure what Tamura has to do with it (seriously, the wifi is slow and I'm not going to take the time to figure it out). The high range guy at 2B seems like the obvious answer to me. I don't know how big the new adjustment is, but so far in HBD offense outweighs fielding at every position but SS and CF, and sometimes even those.