I don't see any good alternatives for my team at third base. I have a lot of money available for free agency and really don't see much. I'm considering playing this guy at third http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=6934580 - Does anyone have any good data on how much he might cost me defensively and/or how much offense I would need to get from him over my next alternative for it be a reasonable endeavor? I imagine it will not be a pretty picture, but I'm not sure I have any good options available to me.

You're in luck!  I experimented with this a long while ago.

Peter Chang got 365 innings at 3B for me.  Fielded .835.  He had a little bit better AA than your guy.  It's a small sample size, but not that small... he's going to field WAY under .900.

So a back of the envelop calculation here- Compared to a decent defensive player he's going to cost me 30-50 runs? Which works out to 3-4 rc/ 27?

Using dedel's guy, he's going to cost you about 225 positive plays per season(po+a+positive plays-errors-negative plays divided by innings x 1458).   That's a **** ton of plays.

Compared to an average 3B, he'll cost you 40 or so runs in errors alone.  Chang also had limited range... in my opinion you are better off doing just about anything else here.

Bartee at 3B. and find yourself a real shortstop.

Bartee was never going to be shortstop- I was wondering if I woulkd be better off with a zero for a bat at third and it sounds like I would!

anyone have an opinion what type of offense I can get from him this year? Considering he should improve as the season progresses?

Where were you planning on having bartee then? 

mcinerney could play CF, Durrington at 2b. 

He'll kill you at 3B. An offensive stud with his fielding probably wouldn't make up the runs this guy will cost you vs a AAAA hitter with suggested D ratings.  And he's not an offensive stud.

My advise is to learn for yourself.  Start him at 3B for 40-80 games.  Check the box scores.  Make notes on how many singles go to LF, how many errors, how many DPs you don't get. Minus plays don't tell the full story.

Chicks and HBD GMs love the long ball.  Pick 4 worlds off the list of worlds.  Pick 3 teams in each that average 90+ wins.  Look at the player that starts most games at 3B.  You see anyone with these fielding ratings? Then look at 3 teams that have a run of losing 90+ games.  You'll see guys with these fielding ratings playing 3B and 2B.

I'm not in any way under the impression that it was a good alternative- I don't think there are any great ones open to me. Kevin, durrington has to play center as a lefty, I have some concerns about my offense being totally atrocious if I play bartee and mcirney.

But it sounds like the answer is not to punt third base defensively.

Posted by kevintam90 on 5/17/2015 12:43:00 AM (view original):
Bartee at 3B. and find yourself a real shortstop.

You don't have enough hitters, and you already said you can't find one in free agency.

Bartee is a decent enough 3B and will save you some runs there.  Find a cheap, no-bat SS who can save your entire infield runs - try for 85+ all fielding ratings.  Punt offense at SS and take whatever Bartee gives you at 3B, and play defense.

I just looked at your AAA SS, James - he has a major league glove.  Sure he hits .220.  If you're really lucky, he hits .240 and you're in business.

Stick hogg in RF. Call up Gattis to play DH. Itll help your offense while you have to sacrifice some offense for defense in the INF     

Another option for you is if you find someone with a half decent stick who can play 2B, and use him at 3B. I've used guys with 75/75/50/55 type fielding ratings at 3B for short stints. The range helps offset some of the arm issues. Its certainly not ideal, and you'd still be better off with a real 3B, but if you find someone who can hit a bit with the fielding ratings similiar to above, you could probably have him fake it at 3B for a season. And that would certainly be better than the guy you listed.