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Is the Miguel Cabrera Third Base Experiment Working?
Posted by John Dewan on Dec 16th 2015
April 24, 2012
So far, OK.
I guess Jim Leyland wouldn't call it an experiment because he plans to keep Miguel at third base all season. It was an experiment that failed the last time Leyland tried it when, after 14 games and five errors at the start of the season at third base in 2008, Cabrera was moved to first base, never to return to third...until this season.
Those errors and other misplays in 2008 cost the Tigers three runs defensively, based on our Defensive Runs Saved system. This year, Cabrera has only cost Detroit one run defensively so far in their first 16 games. That's a smidgeon below average, but certainly acceptable given the offensive production Miguel provides.
Here is a comparison of Cabrera to this year's best and worst third basemen so far:
Miguel Cabrera vs. the Best and Worst Third Basemen in 2012
| Miguel Cabrera |
Brett Lawrie |
Chris Nelson |
|
| Defensive Runs Saved | -1 | 5 | -4 |
| MLB Rank | 23rd | 1st | 35th |
| Good Fielding Plays | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Defensive Misplays & Errors | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Plays Made Above/Below Average | |||
| To His Right | +2 | 0 | -2 |
| Straight On | -2 | +3 | -1 |
| To His Left | -2 | +4 | -1 |
Cabrera has done well making plays to his right so far, but has had difficulty with those hit straight on and to his left. Lawrie has excelled exactly where Cabrera has struggled. Nelson is not off to a good start as the Rockies’ everyday third baseman.