I am putting together a Red Sox team. I have an extra 1.2 million. Do I want to upgrade fielding at shortstop from a B/C+ to an A/A- but lose 111 points in OPS# or keep my shortstop and upgrade a different hitter?
I guess I am asking how valuable is an A/A- shortstop?
How important is range at 1st? Is a A/D as good as a C+/A-? Any thoughts on range vs fielding would help.

An A/A- shortstop is very valuable. Shortstops make by far the most errors of any position, so there is a big difference between an A fielding shortstop and a B fielding shortstop.

At first base, where players make a lot fewer errors, the difference is much less. The C+/A- first baseman is almost certainly a better fielder than the A/D first baseman.

Fielding/Range at SS are very important as 06gsp points out, however I'm not sure I'd sacrifice 111 points in OPS# to upgrade from a B to an A fielder at that position. Like so many variables in constructing a team, "it depends". How's that for vague?

Range is very helpful at 1B. Very.

I'll take C+/A- because first basemen don't make many Errors.
EDIT: I missed the part about SS being an upgrade. If the A shortstop costs $1+M more I'm taking the hitter no doubt about it.

How good is the rest of your offense? Can you afford to lose 111 points of OPS# at one position? I'd tend to go for the better fielding at SS

Agreed about 1B -- C+/A- is definitely the best choice if the hitting is similar, unless you are playing in a major pitcher's park.

Thanks for the advice. I paid up for the better fielding SS. I was batting Petrocelli (67) 7th and 8th. Burleson's bat can't hurt me too much.